A life-changing year

27.05.2026

The Bonifatiuswerk of German Catholics is offering young people, particularly from Northern Europe and the Baltic States, the chance to spend a very special year in Germany: as Incomers (m/f/d), they can gain their first professional experience for a year from September 2026 at the aid organisation for faith and solidarity in Paderborn.

The Incomer placement at the Bonifatiuswerk offers young adults aged 18 and over a direct insight into an internationally active aid organisation. They also gain a deeper understanding of the Church, culture and society in Germany. The placement is primarily aimed at young people from the Bonifatiuswerk’s funding regions abroad, namely Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia and Estonia. The focus is on intercultural exchange – as well as a shared commitment to a vibrant faith life in diaspora communities. 

“We are once again looking forward to the valuable impulses that the new Incomer will bring this year. The young people from our support regions enrich our work and are true bridge-builders between cultures,” says Bonifatiuswerk Secretary General Monsignor Georg Austen.

During their placement, the Incomer supports a wide range of areas within the charity: they handle dispatch tasks and research assignments, and assist with project work or events and campaigns such as the launch of the Diaspora Campaign or the nationwide St Nicholas campaign, which takes place in a different major German city each year. The Bonifatiuswerk arranges accommodation and language courses for the Incomer. In addition, the person receives comprehensive support from a mentor at the charity.

Last year, the Bonifatiuswerk welcomed its first female incomer, Antonia Tervaportti. For the 21-year-old from Finland, moving from her home town of Helsinki to Paderborn was a big step: “I’d never lived on my own before, let alone in a foreign country, so it almost felt like I was jumping in at the deep end.” She is grateful for the experiences she has gained so far at the aid organisation and for the support from her colleagues: “I really appreciated that the people here were so kind and helped me get used to my surroundings – that made the whole experience so much nicer.” After all, it wasn’t just the work that was completely new to her at the start: “I think the biggest difference I’ve noticed is the fact that everything is closed on Sundays – which isn’t the case at all in Helsinki. Also, people pay with cash much more often here than in Finland.” She came to Germany with the aim of gaining new perspectives on life and ideas for the future. “I’m pretty sure I want to study, but I’m not 100 per cent sure what I want to study yet. Luckily, I still have time,” says Tervaportti with a wink.

Apply now and become part of a strong community!

Young people aged 18 to 27 from Northern Europe or the Baltic states who are interested can now apply to the Bonifatiuswerk in Paderborn for the 2026/27 Incomer year. 

(thmei)