Connecting and Strengthening the Malteser Network Worldwide
Crossing Borders. Living Solidarity.
Malteser Foreign Aid Department connects dedicated volunteers in Germany with Malteser partner organisations, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. Together, we build long-term partnerships that combine personal exchange, mutual learning, and needs-based support. In this way, we strengthen local relief services and their structures, promote international engagement, and develop cross-border solutions to social challenges, crisis preparedness, and reconstruction.
Today, around 814 Malteser volunteers in Germany are involved in international cooperation. Across the country, there are 73 locations maintaining 92 international partnerships. In total, our volunteers undertake more than 200 assignments abroad each year.
Our Services
Malteser Foreign Aid Department strengthens collaboration across the Malteser network worldwide. Together with international partner organisations, we foster sustainable partnerships, professional exchange, and joint projects. Our approach is based on equal partnership and a commitment to strengthening local structures.
International Partnerships
- Establishing and supporting long-term partnerships between Malteser organisations in Germany and other countries
- Facilitating contacts and cooperation across the international Malteser network
- Advising on the development of joint projects
- Promoting professional and personal exchange
Learning and Organisational Development
- Sharing knowledge and experience between Malteser organisations
- Advising on and supporting organisational development processes
- Training courses, workshops, job shadowing, and peer learning
- Supporting the development of volunteer and professional structures
International Volunteering Opportunities
- International volunteer assignments for volunteers, professionals, and young people
- Encounters and exchange through the Malteser Volunteers programme
- Professional exchanges, job shadowing, and international learning programmes
Crisis Resilience and Civil Protection
- Cooperation on crisis preparedness and crisis response
- Exchange on civil protection and disaster response
- Joint exercises, training, and networking formats
- Supporting the development of local crisis resilience
Support for Malteser Ukraine
- Organisational development and advisory support
- Supporting social and humanitarian projects
- Delivering relief supplies
- Establishing German-Ukrainian partnerships
FAQs about the Malteser Foreign Aid
Contact
Magdalena Hillar
Administrator of Foreign Aid Desk
Foreign Aid inquiries
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Karl Kuska
Head of Foreign Aid Desk
Foreign Aid inquiries and “Malteser Volunteers” program
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Michael Lülsdorff
Head of Department
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Cordula Wasser
Head of Department
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Dr. Constatin von Brandenstein-Zeppelin
Head of Foreign Aid Volunteers
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Our Work
Examples of Malteser Foreign Aid Partnerships and Aid Projects
Romania – Kindergarten in Cluj-Napoca
For more than three decades, Malteser in Germany—particularly those in the Diocese of Trier—have provided financial, material, and personnel support to the Malteser kindergarten in Cluj-Napoca. The kindergarten cares for around 30 children with neuromotor impairments.
Ukraine – Soup Kitchen for People in Need in Lviv
For more than 30 years, Malteser Ukraine, with support from Germany, has provided hot meals to people in need in Lviv. This service is especially important during the current war, as the ongoing conflict has left many people in urgent need of support.
Latvia – Support for Ukrainians Seeking Protection in Riga
The geopolitical impact of the war in Ukraine is also being felt in countries such as Latvia. Many people are seeking protection there and are being supported by Malteser Latvia. Malteser in Germany provides organisational, logistical, and technical support.
Croatia – Building Wooden Houses in Petrinja for Earthquake-Affected Families
Natural disasters are unfortunately becoming increasingly frequent and pose a growing challenge. Malteser is therefore currently helping to build sustainable wooden houses for people affected by the earthquake in Croatia.
Albania – Medical Care and Equal Social Opportunities for Rural Communities
Malteser in Germany played a key role in establishing Malteser in Albania and have supported the organisation continuously ever since. The two countries work closely together through knowledge sharing, financial and medical assistance, youth work, and educational programmes. The Malteser Volunteers programme also offers numerous opportunities to strengthen the close ties between Malteser in Germany and Albania.
Lithuania – German-Lithuanian Partnership and Social Engagement
Long-standing partnerships combine support through relief supplies and project funding with youth work, knowledge transfer, volunteer assignments, transport services, first aid, and civil protection. The collaboration is increasingly evolving from traditional support towards mutual learning on an equal footing.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – First Aid Service in Medjugorje
Volunteers from different countries provide initial medical assistance to pilgrims. This initiative is a particularly vivid example of international volunteering, professional expertise, and cooperation in action.
Poland – Inclusive Malteser Camp
Volunteers support people with disabilities during a one-week camp. The project brings together social participation, international exchange, and personal commitment.
International Youth Exchanges
Examples include youth camps in Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Ukrainian young people taking part in camps in Germany. These activities bring together international understanding, volunteering, and long-term partnership in a particularly effective way.
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German-Ukrainian Partnership Project
The German-Ukrainian Partnership Project strengthens cooperation between Malteser in Germany and Ukraine. In response to the ongoing war, it connects Malteser Ukraine with German dioceses, local branches, volunteers, and specialist services. Its focus is on humanitarian assistance, the development of social services, and the long-term strengthening of local structures.
The project supports specific initiatives in Ukraine, promotes professional exchange, and assists the organisational development of Malteser Ukraine. It also supports projects in youth work, the development of first aid, medical and rescue services, and work with older people, war veterans, and people with disabilities.
New partnerships have also been established in Germany: the Malteser diocesan offices in Bamberg, Berlin, and Hildesheim have established their own foreign aid services to support Ukraine. In this way, the project combines immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term partnership and the sustainable development of resilient structures.