With a fresh new name and plenty of new energy, we’re excited to present the latest edition of our guidebook. This time, it comes under a new title:
Wandelfibel – guide to sustainable living
“We all thought the Rückkehrer*innen-Fibel* was great. Unfortunately, it’s been out of print for quite a while, and it’s no longer really up to date. Besides, it could be helpful not only for returned volunteers, but also for people who haven’t (yet) done a volunteer service. And honestly, there are so many more topics that should be included, don’t you think?”
…and that’s how seven motivated, creative young people came together—beyond the seven mountains. Well, not quite. It was actually in Dietzenbach, at the Wandel-Campus. Between sips of Premium-Cola, sitting in the sun, we spent our time reflecting, dreaming, and envisioning change—and a world we’ll still want, and be able, to live in for a long time to come.
And that’s how the idea for the Wandelfibel – a guide to sustainable living was born.
What started as a cozy gathering quickly turned into emails, Trello boards, instant messages, and regular conference calls: every two weeks, at eight in the morning, in the virtual meeting room. Who’s moderating? Who’s taking notes? And, perhaps most importantly, who’s actually awake yet? After a quick weather update, we’d dive right in—foundations, ideas, brainstorming. Which application is still pending? Oh no, another rejection. Never mind—let’s just ask Engagement Global.
And in the end, we did it. Through determination, teamwork, and a lot of shared enthusiasm, we made it happen—so that you can now hold this book in your hands and read these very words.
Along the way, we learned a great deal ourselves—about the present, about the future, and about the many inspiring change-making projects already out there. Our imaginary reading and film lists grew longer and longer, and above all, we had a lot of fun.
We’d like to thank everyone who supported us along the way, and we hope this guidebook brings you plenty of inspiration and enjoyment.
Your Wandelfibel Team
JEvery year, more than 2,000 volunteers return to Germany from their placements abroad. They come back with valuable experiences, fresh perspectives, and a strong motivation to stay engaged and make a difference.
That’s why we—a group of former volunteers—created the Wandelfibel: a guide designed to help returning volunteers discover opportunities for further learning, social engagement, seminars, and exchange.
For more information, check out our Facebook-Seite!
You can also find earlier editions of the guidebook here, originally published under the titles RückkehrerInnen-Fibel und RückkehrerInnen-Fibel 2.0