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Our identity

A rainbow flag between two blue flags with the THW logo.
THW

As a federal agency and a volunteer-based operational organisation, the THW has a responsibility within the societies it operates in. The following points present the self-perception, values and positions of the THW.

Equal opportunities and equality

The THW is committed to equal opportunities and equality for people of all gender identities. These values are enshrined in the THW Guiding Principles as well as in further agreements and statements of position, and they are lived out and put into practice as fundamental values underlying our daily interactions.

Charter of Diversity

In Autumn 2010, the THW joined with other civil protection organisations to sign the Charter of Diversity (see https://www.charta-der-vielfalt.de/en/ ). This employers’ initiative aims to create a working environment free from prejudice, where all employees feel valued, regardless of their age, ethnic origin or nationality, gender and gender identity, physical and mental abilities, religion and worldview, sexual orientation or social background. In addition to the THW, more than 4,900 organisations have signed the Charter of Diversity, including the football club FC Köln, the Technical University of Munich, and the Federal Office for Information Security.

Women

The THW is committed to gender equality and supports women at all the different levels of its volunteers and paid staff. Of the 88,000 volunteers, 11,300 are now women, and the proportion of women in the full-time workforce is also growing, standing at around 40 per cent of the 2,100 employees.
To further strengthen the proportion of women in the volunteer and full-time sectors, the THW is placing a particular emphasis on increasing the visibility of its women. Many posts on websites and social media show the women in the THW with the various tasks they perform and their reports on their experiences. Regular networking events like the Women Operatives’ Day promote sharing and exchange among women in the THW.

Child welfare

Working with children and young people requires respect, appreciation and trust. The THW has an obligation to ensure that children and young people find a “safe space” when they attend its events. Therefore, the THW assumes responsibility for the well-being of the children and young people entrusted to it. Together, the Technische Hilfswerk as a federal agency and THW Youth as its youth association do their utmost to protect children and young people from all forms of violence in youth work.
Aware that protecting child welfare means far more than just preventing abuse within the organisation, the THW ensures prevention as well as intervention are important issues in its youth work. It is the task of all THW operatives to empower children and help them if they have experienced abuse. So all areas of THW activity include education, training and awareness raising on the topic to ensure that only trustworthy individuals have contact with children and young people. To fulfil its responsibility towards children and young people, the federal agency and the association worked together to fundamentally revise the Child Protection Concept. This is based on the THW Guiding Principles. It clarifies policies and procedures within the THW and also details where people can turn to for advice and support.
The establishment of the position of Child Protection Officer in 2020 firmly anchored this issue in the THW. Their task is to provide further awareness-raising, training and information for staff. They are the first point of contact for support in the event of any harassment or abuse within or outside the THW, as well as in dealing with any individual cases.
For further questions or to report anything on child endangerment in the THW and THW Youth, the Child Protection Officer can be reached at Kindeswohl@thw.de.

Guiding Principles

  • We are always ready to help, in Germany and worldwide.
  • We fulfil our tasks in a targeted and conscientious manner.
  • We work together, plan together, and make decisions responsibly.
  • We value training and exercises.
  • We act with an awareness of the risks and protect each other.
  • We respect each another and set an example with our behaviour; leaders have a special responsibility here.
  • We communicate purposefully, honestly and comprehensibly.
  • We are committed to democracy and do not tolerate discrimination.
  • We advocate for the diversity of our society, including within the THW.
  • We inspire young people to join the THW and take on responsibility.
  • We actively promote child welfare and protect the children and young people entrusted to us.

The vision of the THW is: Together - strong in action and in society

Queer in the THW

“Queer in the THW” is an initiative from volunteer and full-time THW members who advocate for issues concerning the queer community. Using various formats, it offers members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their supporters a platform to share their experiences. They organise various actions such as workshops, virtual exchange meetings, a chat group and an information channel for news. Currently, efforts are focused on networking within and outside the THW as well as acquiring resources, for example, to enable the participation of THW groups in events such as Christopher Street Day.

Prevention of right-wing extremism

On July 17, 2007, the THW signed the Joint Declaration against Right-Wing Extremism, officially marking its stand against right-wing extremism, xenophobia, racism and anti-semitism. With this declaration, the THW and the other signatory organisations committed themselves to actively contributing to the prevention and combatting of right-wing extremism.
All THW members are representatives of the Federal Republic of Germany, which has constitutionally enshrined fundamental values, particularly the right to the inviolability of human dignity, freedom and equality, both in Germany and abroad. With this in mind, the THW has put in place various measures intended to strengthen civil society engagement in the long-term and to prevent extremism at all levels and in all fields of activity. These measures include basic and advanced courses on prevention of extremism, which have taken place multiple times in recent years, keeping the topic present in the minds of members and anchoring the prevention of right-wing extremism as part of everyday THW life.

Preventing corruption

As a federal agency and therefore part of Germany’s public administration, the THW is committed to combatting corruption. It acts in accordance with the federal government’s 2004 Directive on the Prevention of Corruption in the Federal Administration. All paid employees and volunteer operatives act according to the corresponding code of conduct and contribute their part to combatting corruption, promoting trust in the State.
At the training centres, State Associations and THW Headquarters there is a contact person for the prevention of corruption. Any THW members and citizens with questions, information or a possible suspicion can contact them via email as follows: