NRW volunteer card
The NRW volunteer card is an expression of appreciation for the great voluntary commitment of citizens and combines this appreciation with a practical benefit: People who are particularly committed to the common good can use the card to take advantage of a constantly growing number of offers from public, charitable and private institutions throughout the state at a reduced rate. The city of Bonn has been involved in the NRW volunteer card project from the very beginning.
A North Rhine-Westphalia volunteer card can be awarded to anyone who
- over a period of at least two years
- at least five hours per week or 250 hours per year
- without remuneration or lump-sum expense allowance
- in Bonn (exceptions are possible, for example for vacation camps)
has demonstrably volunteered.
The minimum age is 16 years. The NRW volunteer card is valid for two years.
All volunteers who meet the requirements can receive an NRW Volunteer Card. There is no numerical limit per club or organization.
NRW volunteer card via app or online form
It is possible for volunteers to obtain the NRW volunteer card using an app. To do this, the app provided by the NRW State Chancellery (Volunteer Card app) must be downloaded from the app or playstore and the relevant form completed. If the requirements are met, the volunteers will receive the NRW volunteer card in digital form. In addition, you can also receive the NRW volunteer card in its usual form (plastic card in credit card format) via this route. The app also offers a number of additional functions, such as search functions and favorites lists for discounts as well as the latest news.
Alternatively, you can of course - as before - use the form provided by the City of Bonn.
Completed forms can be submitted to the
City of Bonn
Bonn Volunteer Agency, Beuel Town Hall
Friedrich-Breuer-Strasse 65
53225 Bonn
can be submitted.
The Bonn Volunteer Agency can also send you the form by post.
The benefits in Bonn and the other participating cities in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found on the website of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Here you can also view or print out a list of all the offers.
NRW anniversary volunteer card
At the beginning of March 2022, Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), presented the NRW anniversary volunteer card at a festive event and handed it over to eleven volunteers from NRW. Since then, it has also been possible to receive the NRW anniversary volunteer card in Bonn.
The NRW anniversary volunteer card is a sign of recognition for civic commitment and a small token of gratitude from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for all those who volunteer their free time.
In order to receive an NRW anniversary volunteer card, a minimum of 25 years of civic engagement must have taken place. The commitment may have been performed in various organizations. If the commitment has been interrupted in the meantime (e.g. for periods of child-rearing or care), this will be accepted. Once issued, the NRW anniversary volunteer card is valid for life and therefore does not need to be extended or reapplied for.
With the NRW anniversary volunteer card, it is possible for clubs or organizations to nominate volunteers to be awarded the card. There is no numerical limit per club or organization.
The same benefits can be claimed as with the NRW volunteer card. For example, swimming pools, museums, theaters, cinemas and many other interesting offers are available. All volunteers who meet the requirements can receive an NRW anniversary volunteer card.
Completed forms can be obtained from the
Bonn Volunteer Agency, Office 50-11
Beuel Town Hall
Friedrich-Breuer-Straße 65
53225 Bonn
can be submitted.
At present, it is not yet possible to apply for the NRW anniversary volunteer card via the state's app (volunteer card app) or to digitize the analogue card.
The discounts in Bonn and the other participating cities in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found on the website of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (www.engagiert-in-nrw.de). (opens in a new tab) You can also print out the list of offers here.
Proof of commitment NRW
The North Rhine-Westphalia volunteering certificate "For each other. Miteinander - Engagiert im sozialen Ehrenamt" documents and recognizes civic engagement in North Rhine-Westphalia.
It documents the professional and social skills of those involved in civic engagement, certifies skills acquired in voluntary work and can be important additional information when making personnel decisions.
It is issued by numerous social commitment organizations; the Bonn Volunteer Agency issues the certificate for volunteers who work for the Bonn City Administration.
A sample (opens in a new tab) and further information can be found on the website of the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Bonn Heimat Prize
The Heimat Award is one of a total of five components of the "Heimat. Future. North Rhine-Westphalia. We promote what connects people." Under the motto "Making volunteer work visible: The Heimat Award" and subject to the respective provision of funds by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Bonn will receive 15,000 euros annually from 2023 to 2027 to be able to honor local civic engagement in particular (as it did from 2019 to 2022)
Support program "2,000 x 1,000 euros for commitment"
On February 2, 2021, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia adopted the engagement strategy. Part of this strategy is the "2,000 x 1,000 euros for engagement" funding program.
This year, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is once again supporting voluntary work with this program and would like to support 2,000 projects with 1,000 euros each.
Due to its population, the City of Bonn will once again receive funding amounting to 39,000 euros. This level of funding means that 39 projects could be supported in Bonn.
This year's funding round began on May 5, 2025 and ends on November 1, 2025. Applications are submitted exclusively digitally via a new online funding portal (förderung.NRW).
This year's focus topic is: "Committed to the future - promoting young engagement and shaping new projects."
Funding is available for projects that are carried out by young people themselves or that strengthen young engagement.
Further information, for example on how to apply and the funding procedure, as well as a video recording of an online information event, can be found here: www.engagiert-in-nrw.de/foerderprogramm-2000-x-1000-euro-fuer-das-engagement (opens in a new tab)
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the highest recognition awarded by the Federal Republic of Germany for services to the common good and the only general award of merit in Germany.
It is awarded to citizens who have distinguished themselves through special honorary, economic-social, political or intellectual achievements. A Cross of Merit can also be awarded for special services to the Federal Republic of Germany, for example in the social and charitable sector.
There are a total of eight different levels of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Cross of Merit and also the Medal of Merit are generally awarded for the first time.
You can find news about people from Bonn who have recently been honored with a Cross of Merit or a Medal of Merit for their commitment and further information (opens in a new tab) here:
Forms of recognition, project funding and other prizes
In addition to information on the umbrella prize ("Prize of Prizes"), you will also find the "Prize Landscape" database on the website of the German Civic Engagement Prize. Competitions and prizes for civic engagement can be researched there according to various filter criteria:
- Contact
- Location
- Postal address
- Accessibility
Contact
Location
Förderung des bürgerschaftlichen Engagements, Freiwilligenagentur, Gremien- und Medienkoordination
N.N.
Room Zimmer 104
Rathaus Beuel
Friedrich-Breuer-Straße 65
53225 Bonn
Postal address
Bundesstadt Bonn
53103 Bonn
Accessibility
Disabled access at the main entrance via ramp
Elevator available in the building
Building has a designated parking lot
Barrier-free toilet in the entrance area