60 Jahre Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr

The Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) is a programme for adolescents and young adults in the transition from school to vocational training. Its history is characterised by a steady increase in the number of participants and a differentiation of the format. However, this has not benefited all groups equally; young people with disabilities in particular have been largely excluded. In addition to requirements to open up to previously neglected target groups, there are further challenges for sponsoring organisations and institutions: dealing with tendencies to be used for political purposes and the current debate about demands for a mandatory period of service.