Are you interested in spending an awesome year working for an international youth organisation? Applications for our three voluntary service positions with SHL and SAME for a period of 13 months (2025/2026) will open in November, meanwhile, our 6 months position (January - August 2025)  is open to APPLY NOW. Scroll down to learn more!

Throughout the voluntary year, you will get the chance to explore European youth work and activism, organise international youth encounters, work on publicity and much more. You will develop yourself, while doing something meaningful for the youth of Europe. Are you looking forward to this job? Do not hesitate and apply!

The organisations

The voluntary service is organised by the two organistions SAME and SHL. SAME stands for ‘Solidarity Action Day Movement in Europe’. The movement includes several European youth organizations which carry out an annual Solidarity Action Day. During this day, pupils get the chance to exercise a job of their choice instead of going to school. Their salaries are used to support youth-related projects all over whole world. By offering learning possibilities and spreading the concept of the Solidarity Action Day, SAME empowers young people to get informed, take a stand and act.

Schüler*innen Helfen Leben (SHL) is one of SAME’s member organisation and runs the Solidarity Action Day campaign in Germany. The organisation implements youth and education projects in Southeastern Europe, Jordan, Ukraine and Germany with the aim of strengthening the rights and participation of children and young people. All our volunteering positions are registered with and supervised by SHL, the work nonetheless focusses mainly on SAME activities.

Your voluntary service

Both organisations run a joint programme and office in the city of Lübeck, Northern Germany. The programme connects young people from all over Europe through the concept of the Solidarity Action Day and gives them the opportunity to experience and shape a joint Europe. As a volunteer, you will be part of our international team working in the Lübeck office and promote European youth activism. Together with you, we will build bridges and bring together young people from all over Europe!

We aim to spread the Solidarity Action Day across Europe and to expand the impact of the Solidarity Action Day by organising international youth encounters and seminars. Additionally, we promote European solidarity on a local level by organising activities and public events for city society and youngsters in Lübeck, where our office is based. 

Doing the voluntary service has been a remarkable journey. From working with youth from all corners of Europe to planning events, handling social media, and exploring new places—this is the essence of life in voluntary service. Embrace the adventure, take the leap, and make the most of this exceptional opportunity!

Rudina Zeqiri, Volunteer 2023/2024

OPEN APPLICATION: Voluntary Service for 6 months! (1 position) 

For the first time ever, you can become part of the SAME office and do a voluntary service for 6 months! Starting from January 2025 until August 2025, you would be living in the beautiful city of Lübeck in northern Germany.  

Your position & tasks 

As one of the volunteers for European youth activism, you will support the office team in organising international youth encounters, seminars and educational activities. You will learn a lot about youth activism, event management, partnerships and promotion activities. By working with many international partners and supporting the SAME network, you will regularly exchange ideas with young people from different European countries. You will take an active role in the dissemination of the Solidarity Action Day and will inform and inspire young people about our work. 

You will closely collaborate with your co-volunteers and the staff members of the Lübeck office who will support you in all your activities. You will also have the opportunity to gain insights into the work of the other SHL offices in Germany and work together with your co-volunteers in SHL's office in Neumünster (Northern Germany), who organise the Solidarity Action Day in Germany. 

Your main tasks will be: 

  • support in implementing international youth encounters including the Act.ival for Future, which is our big international youth conference with more than 200 young participants from all over Europe 
  • spreading the concept of the Solidarity Action Day across Europe, including acquisition, promotion and networking activities and organising Solidarity Action Day for Beginners Conference for interested youth organisations and initiatives from Europe
  • supporting SAME bodies and member organisations, e.g. by organising activities, workshops or body meetings 
  • PR and publicity work, including social media work and promotion activities for our events and youth encounters 
  • maintaining and expanding our network of local and European partners and youth initiatives 

What we offer    

  • 6 months full-time voluntary service (40 hours per week, January - August 2025, earlier/later start is possible)  
  • location: SAME and SHL office in Lübeck (Northern Germany)  
  • payment of a monthly pocket money of currently 429 € per month    
  • payment of the costs for a fully equipped apartment in Lübeck, which is shared with your co-volunteers 
  • 13 vacation days    
  • coverage of costs for the obligatory health insurance, visa and other necessary expenses in preparation of the voluntary service; support for the required administrative steps 
  • German language course (if interested) 
  • pedagogical support during the voluntary service 
  • participation in a preparation, midterm and final seminar and the opportunity to participate in further internal and external trainings 
  • project visits to SAME’s and SHL’s network partners all over Europe 
  • an intriguing and dynamic working environment and creative freedom for own ideas 
  • an interesting job profile with a high variety of tasks 
  • a young and motivated team valuing youth participation and voluntary work 

You should have 

  • age of 18-26 years 
  • ability to work in a team and willingness to compromise 
  • self-confidence, responsibility and reliability 
  • empathy and tolerance 
  • interest in working with youth 
  • appropriate communication and presentation skills 
  • basic technical skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, Canva) 
  • advanced English skills (German is not required but an asset) 
  • flexibility and willingness to work at weekends if required 
  • willingness for personal growth in a dynamic and international working environment 
  • background and experience in working with youth  

For successful participation in the voluntary service, you should have experience in voluntary work, youth participation or engagement (e.g. student councils, youth organisations), such as experiences in planning and conducting workshops/seminars and a confident interaction with youth groups. However, we consider the voluntary service as an opportunity for individual and personal development. 

Fill out the online application form to apply!  

Application deadline: October 7, 2024 

Please, do not send any further documents. If your application convinces us, we will be happy to invite you to an online interview. During the interview you will get to know us, learn more about the position and the work at SAME/SHL, and will have the chance to ask any question. In the meantime, you can contact our current volunteer Farida Mammadli (farida.mammadli@same-network.org) for more information. 

Application open in November for the period of mid-July 2025 to mid- August 2026:

European youth activism (2 positions)

One of our two volunteering positions on European youth activism focuses on spreading the Solidarity Action Day across Europe and engaging with our international network of European member and partner organisations, the other one mainly organises international youth encounters and educational activities. Both of them support youth engagement of young Europeans and organise publicity, promotion and social media work for SAME. You can find a detailed job description and the required skills for the position here.

Application: more information and application here


Local publicity and networking (1 position)

Our volunteer dealing with local publicity and networking promotes our European activities in Lübeck. Very good German skills are required for this position. The volunteer supports our local publicity events and press work and takes care of our local social media work. The position plays a crucial role in establishing contacts to local youngsters and partners and supports spreading the Solidarity Action Day in Lübeck. You can find a detailed job description and the required skills for the position directly on the SHL website.

Application: more information and application directly on SHL website