Volunteer Work in Society and Research. An interview with Dr. Julia Schlicht

In the current issue of culTUre, we look at social engagement and volunteering. We spoke to Dr. Julia Schlicht from the German Foundation for Engagement and Volunteering (DSEE) about the topics of democracy and volunteering, as well as the research perspective on volunteering.

culTUre: Why does society need volunteering and engagement?

Julia Schlicht: To properly answer this question, we first need to clarify what engagement actually is. Engagement is "a voluntary activity that is carried out unpaid, collectively, in a public space and for the common good." So, really it involves all the activities that shape our society. These palpable actions, which usually also take place in groups, e.g. in associations or initiatives, strengthen our social interaction. This creates a solid foundation for cohesion and cooperation. Negotiation processes, i.e. democratic design processes, are also a direct result. Personal experience is much more important than simply hearing about someone else's experience. Engagement also describes a place where democratic processes are learned and practiced.

But commitment is also beneficial on an individual level . Research shows: Engagement promotes the experience of self-efficacy and increases mental well-being, all the while enabling a sense of purpose and greater life satisfaction. Commitment can therefore be beneficial for both the individuals and the community.

culTUre: To what extent can volunteer work be a driving force for democracy?

Julia Schlicht: Here, too, having a closer look at the science helps. In a recently published study by the University of Leipzig and the German Foundation for Volunteering and Commitment , we examined commitment and political attitudes. In the Leipzig Authoritarianism Study, which surveys political attitudes in Germany every two years, we also delved into the question of engagement. The results show: The attitudes of committed individuals are significantly more democratic than those of non-committed individuals. The former are significantly less likely to hold right-wing extremist and misanthropic attitudes than the latter.

culTUre: Many people see the ongoing global crises as a heavy burden. What impact does this have on people’s willingness to volunteer?

Julia Schlicht: Engagement often arises in response to experiences of crisis—though more in the form of an ability to cope with and resolve crises: Committed citizens have provided aid during natural disasters in the Ahr Valley, have welcomed people from Ukraine into their homes, and march in support of democracy and human rights.

The latest figures from the 2025 Volunteering Survey impressively show that the rate of volunteering has remained consistently high for decades, despite the occurrence of crises. However, there have been changes to the form in which the commitment is carried out and to the areas in which people are active. Here, you can clearly see that support is always provided where it is needed.

culTUre: Where does volunteering fit into research? What are the key scientific findings?

Julia Schlicht: Commitment is so diverse and colorful. We are talking about very different activities that can take place at, for example, the volunteer fire department, Fridays for Future or the General Students’ Committee. This diversity is also reflected in engagement research, which is characterized by a strong interdisciplinarity, but unfortunately little institutional anchoring.

Interestingly, research has shown that certain people find it more difficult to get involved. These are often less privileged people, such as people with a migratory background, who also experience discrimination in their work. For the democratic participation of everyone, it is important to remove these barriers that block access to engagement and give everyone equal opportunities to participate.

Background: German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering

Millions of people in Germany are actively involved in voluntary work. The German Foundation for Volunteering and Commitment (DSEE) supports these individuals and their organizations with a wide range of support, networking, advisory and educational services.

This foundation began its work in Neustrelitz in July 2020. This is the first time that there has been a nationwide point of contact for the promotion of voluntary work. The aim of the foundation is to sustainably strengthen volunteering in these parts of the country in particular - in coordination with existing federal programs.

The founding of the DSEE itself is an important milestone resulting from the "Equitable Living Conditions" commission. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. 

The Chair of the DSEE is Jan Holze.