The Association of German Development Services

The Association of German Development Services (AGdD) is the umbrella association for the development service providers recognised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Our members place or send professionals who want to work in projects initiated within the scope of development cooperation or the Civil Peace Service. The Development Workers Act (EhfG) provides the basis for our work. We are a point of contact for the parliament, government and political parties and engage in in-depth discussions on issues relating to development service.

Development Service

©United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

International Volunteer Year 2026

The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Volunteer Year (IVY 2026). The goal is to highlight and strengthen the important role of volunteerism in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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©Mirko Klein / Dienste in Übersee

International Climate Service

The impacts of climate change are complex and vary from place to place. All this means that we must act and invest now. That is why we, the German development services, have launched this proposal for a new programme: the International Climate Service (ICS).

Learn more about climate service
Prerequisites

There are a few basic requirements that you should meet, if you want to be a professional development advisor. You can find out quickly and easily by using our self-test.

Take our self-test
©Bornschlegl

Returning with a family

If you are planning to return from development service with a family, there is a lot to think about. You will not (unfortunately) be able to plan everything, nor even foresee everything, any more than you could when you departed.

See tips for returning with family