First Mayor Dr. Fabian Mayer and Ministerial Director Dr. Simone Höckele-Häfner sealed the official cooperation between the state capital of Stuttgart and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Social Affairs, Integration and Health on the introduction of the volunteer card at Stuttgart City Hall on 5 December. At the official signing ceremony, both emphasized the importance of a strong municipal volunteering landscape as the foundation of social cohesion.
The municipal council of the state capital Stuttgart unanimously approved the introduction of the state-wide volunteer card at its meeting on July 31. With this clear vote, the city underlines the central importance of civic engagement for social coexistence. The aim of the volunteer card is to increase the visibility and recognition of the wide range of voluntary work carried out by the people of Stuttgart.
First Mayor Dr. Fabian Mayer emphasizes: "By participating in the volunteer card, we are creating a strong partnership between the state capital of Stuttgart and the state of Baden-Württemberg, which places an even greater focus on the voluntary commitment of our citizens."
First Mayor Dr. Fabian MayerI am convinced that we must continue to improve the conditions for volunteering, especially in difficult times, and thereby contribute to a vibrant and resilient volunteering society.
Volunteer card valid throughout Baden-Württemberg
Following a successful pilot project, the volunteer card is gradually being introduced throughout Baden-Württemberg. One particular advantage is that the card is valid beyond the borders of your own town or city throughout the state. The more municipalities and districts that participate, the more attractive the discounts for volunteers will become - because they can use the benefits in all participating cities and municipalities.
"I am very pleased that our state capital is introducing the state's volunteer card and thus once again expressing how important it is to recognize extensive civic engagement and volunteering," emphasizes Ministerial Director Dr. Simone Höckele-Häfner. "Civic engagement also means strengthening our democracy. The Baden-Württemberg Volunteer Card will certainly benefit from attractive acceptance points in Stuttgart."
Acceptance points wanted for the volunteer card
The state capital of Stuttgart now wants to recruit cultural, sports and educational institutions as points of acceptance for the volunteer card. On presentation of the volunteer card, future card holders will receive attractive discounts and exclusive offers - from reduced admission fees and special conditions to special events. The Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for recruiting state institutions. The Linden-Museum Stuttgart, the Grabkapelle Baden-Württemberg, the Staatsgalerie and the Staatstheater Stuttgart are already involved.
Other institutions are cordially invited to join as acceptance points and thus express their appreciation for voluntary work.
Card for active volunteers
The state of Baden-Württemberg has defined the requirements for receiving the volunteer card. Volunteers who have contributed at least 200 hours of unpaid work to a non-profit organization in the past twelve months are eligible. Anyone who has volunteered at least 100 hours in a charitable project during this time can also apply for the card. Holders of the "Juleica" card, those doing voluntary service and members of the voluntary fire department, the technical relief organization and civil protection have a guaranteed entitlement without proof of hours. The volunteer card can only be applied for in the municipality where the volunteer work is carried out - regardless of where the applicant lives.
It will be possible to apply for and issue the volunteer card in Stuttgart from mid-January 2026. Detailed information on the application process and the participating acceptance points will be published on the website in good time.
Further information on the volunteer card in Stuttgart is available online at Volunteering and volunteering and by email at ehrenamtskartestuttgartde.
