Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der freien Wohlfahrtspflege

The Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege (BAGFW) is an umbrella organization that unites the top associations of free welfare services in Germany. The BAGFW works to secure and further develop social work through community initiatives and social policy activities.

• Representation of the Top Associations: The BAGFW represents the interests of free welfare services at the national and European level, particularly through its EU office in Brussels, which has been active since 1989[2].
• Social Policy Activities: The organization informs its members about new developments in EU legislation and represents the interests of welfare services through position papers, statements, and political expert discussions[2].
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The BAGFW promotes social innovations and entrepreneurial actions in welfare associations to develop and implement innovative solutions for societal problems[3].

The main mission of the BAGFW is to strengthen the social infrastructure between the state and the market and to provide the best possible services to those in need of care, support, and social counseling. The values of the BAGFW are based on charitable work, professional expertise, and commitment to the people in the community[3].

• Climate Adaptation: The BAGFW advocates for comprehensive measures for climate adaptation in social institutions to protect vulnerable groups from the impacts of the climate crisis[4].
• Social Innovations: The organization continuously promotes new and innovative responses to current social challenges, based on practical experiences and scientific findings[3].

The BAGFW is organized in a federal structure, with branches at the municipal and state levels as well as legally independent member organizations. Through its membership in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and in the expert group for social economy of the European Commission (GECES), the BAGFW actively participates in European social policy developments[2].

The BAGFW works closely with voluntary and professional engagements to provide quick and effective assistance in crises and emergencies. This underscores its role as an indispensable part of an engagement-promoting infrastructure in the welfare state[5].

Through its comprehensive activities and initiatives, the BAGFW significantly contributes to the social infrastructure in Germany and continuously advocates for the needs of the people.

• 1 - https://www.bagfw.de/ueber-uns
• 2 - https://www.bagfw.de/themen/europa
• 3 - https://www.bagfw.de/fileadmin/user_upload/BAGFW-Standortbestimmung_Innovation__Entrepreneurship_Juni2020.pdf
• 4 - https://www.bagfw.de
• 5 - https://www.caritas.de/fuerprofis/fachthemen/buergerschaftliches-engagement/engagementstrategie-des-bundes-und-die-freie-wohlfahrtspflege