About the weltwärts Volunteer Program
The weltwärts program is a German government-funded initiative that supports international volunteer exchange. It gives young people the opportunity to work on social and development projects in countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
What the Program Offers
Volunteers, usually aged between 18 and 28, spend 6 to 24 months abroad, working closely with local organizations. Their contributions focus on areas such as education, community development, environmental protection, and health and social services. For example, many volunteers support English teaching and assist in community-based activities.
A Two-Way Exchange
weltwärts promotes exchange in two directions:
This two-way approach strengthens mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
Purpose and Impact
The program aims to:
KKO’s Experience with weltwärts
KKO has been proud to work with weltwärts volunteers since 2010. Over the years, we have hosted two to three German volunteers annually. In the early years, we partnered with GIZ, and later with JVF under the weltwärts program.
In addition, KKO has supported Cambodian volunteers to participate in the South–North exchange. So far, three Cambodian volunteers have joined the program in Germany—two before the COVID-19 pandemic and one who is currently volunteering in education.
Participation in the Southeast Asia Partner Conference 2026
KKO was honored to be invited to the weltwärts Southeast Asia Partner Conference 2026, organized by Deutsch-Indische Zusammenarbeit e.V.. Mr. Sarith Bin, KKO’s School Manager, was nominated to attend this important event.
The 5-day conference, held from 13–17 April 2026 in Da Nang, brought together representatives from German organizations, the BMZ, and partner organizations across Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste.
This conference provided an excellent platform to share experiences and best practices in implementing volunteer exchange programs between North–South and South–North partners. Participants also discussed challenges and explored practical solutions together. It was a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships and build new connections.
During the conference, Mr. Sarith actively engaged with participants to expand opportunities for Cambodian youth to volunteer in Germany in the future.
Looking Ahead
KKO strongly believes in the long-term value of the weltwärts program. We are confident that it will continue to grow and create meaningful opportunities for young people while strengthening global partnerships and community development.
