The Zivile Friedensdienst (Civil Peace Service – ZFD) is promoted by the German Federal Government as part of its priority area in crisis prevention and civil conflict transformation. State and non-governmental entities work together in the ZFD. This makes it possible to utilise and network experience and years of cooperation with partner organisations on site. In implementing this programme, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has accordingly drawn on the competence of the officially recognised development services. 

The goal of the ZFD is to assist measures by local organisations in crisis regions which:

• seek to prevent the outbreak of violence (conflict prevention)
• help strengthen peaceful conflict resolution (mitigating violence)
• contribute to securing peace in the long term by establishing peace-promoting structures after conflicts
  (peace-building in the conflict aftermath).

Which organisations are active in this field?

The executing agencies for the Civil Peace Service have joined together in the Konsortium Ziviler Friedensdienst
(Civil Peace Service Consortium). Members include the seven officially recognised development services and the Aktionsgemeinschaft Dienst für den Frieden (Action Committee Service for Peace – AGDF). The ZFD’s projects are carried out within the framework of the Development Workers Act (EhfG).

What are the requirements for working for the ZFD?

The ZFD supports local project executing organisations with the services of specially qualified and trained specialists and/or carrying out training measures in nonviolent conflict transformation.

In addition to completed vocational or professional training, several years of experience are required, if possible in a field relevant for civil conflict transformation, or corresponding additional qualifications. Other essentials are social competence, ability to work under stress, and good language skills.