Ideas and innovation at the 2025 DRK Symposium in Essen

12 November 2025

Photo: UHH/S. Fenske

Full-time employees of the German Red Cross (DRK) as well as organization volunteers came together from all four corners of Germany for the DRK’s Volunteering Symposium held in Essen from 7 to 9 November 2025. The event, the motto of which was “Volunteer work as reflected in changes in civil society,” focused on current challenges, diversity and integration issues, as well as new perspectives for the future of volunteer work. With its inspirational panel discussions, practical workshops, and numerous opportunities to engage in dialogue, the symposium served as the ideal platform for further developing ideas, for mutual learning, and for everyone strengthening their own engagement.

 Those representing the Engagement 2030 research group (Social Impact Research Lab), Sarah Fenske, Alexander Rödl, and Lena Kunz, presented an info shop on the topic of “Securing the future: sustainable volunteer work coordination.” In addition to showcasing their research projects in the info shop, they got together with interested participants to discuss hurdles and concrete recommendations for action in the areas of acquiring and retaining volunteers.

 Be it in info shops, workshops, bar camps, the pub quiz, or numerous informal chats, the researchers enjoyed all kinds of opportunities to learn about new ideas and forge new contacts. We would like to thank the DRK for inviting us and for giving us the opportunity to take part in this inspirational event!