Voluntary ecological year
The voluntary ecological year in Austria and Germany is an educational and orientation year for teenagers and young adults of ages 16 through 27. The voluntary ecological year can be attended only once and usually lasts 12 months.
In Germany this service is financed and realized by the states and some agencies. The agencies also organize 5 seminars per year which must be attended by the participant. Apart from that, the participants have to be self organized.
This voluntary service can be fulfilled in agricultural institutions and forestries, in organisations for environment protection and animal welfare.
Due to the existing conscription for military service in Austria, since 2013 the FUJ is an alternative compulsory service to the mandatory service in the Austrian Armed Forces for males.
