Carnival and Toad Migration Season - Busy Times for Our Partner Volunteer Centre MEM in Germany

What does volunteering ('Ehrenamt') in Mainz, Germany, look like? Read our partner organisation's newest update on their work!

The past few months have been a particularly active time for the Mainzer Volunteer Centre MEM, with a strong focus on both supporting volunteer organisations behind the scenes and enabling hands-on volunteering ('Ehrenamt') across the region.

February brought one of the highlights of the volunteer calendar: Fastnacht, the famous German carnival season, known as the '5th season of the year' in Mainz and the Rhineland. The season kicks off with a huge celebration on November 11th the year before and runs until almost Easter (with a break for Christmas and New Years). Over these months, thousands of volunteers work on sewing costumes, rehearsing performances, organising parades, and running huge events. The festivities culminate in one of the biggest carnival parades in Germany, the Mainzer Rosenmontagsumzug.

The Rosenmontagsumzug sports almost 10.000 active participants and welcomes around 500.000 visitors every year. Fastnacht In Mainz is not only a festival but a civic tradition with hundreds of years of colourful history - carried by voluntary commitment, creativity, and lots of community spirit.

Spring is slowliny coming to Germany, and nature and conservation effords become more of a focus for volunteers. One important area is the annual Krötenwanderung (toad migration season), during which amphibians migrate from their winter habitats to breeding ponds. Volunteers play a crucial role by monitoring migration routes of the protected species, setting up protective fences, and carefully carrying toads and frogs across busy roads to keep them safe. This practical conservation work not only protects vulnerable species but also raises awareness of biodiversity and environmental responsibility in the community. More about toad migration season in the video below.

In March, Rhineland-Palatinate also voted for its new local government, which is still undergoing its consolidation process. Democracy is the foundation of modern-day Germany and enables a healthy civic society; for that reason, MEM supports the volunteer-run Demokratiemesse (Democracy Expo) in May. Around 20 community organisations focused on strengthening democratic participation will exhibit their work, look for new volunteers, and connect organisations and the community under the slogan 'Nie wieder ist jetzt! Und jetzt?' ('Never again is now! What now?').

Another one of MEM's priorities is offering a diverse programme of upskilling workshops, supporting the dynamic and multifaceted volunteering (Ehrenamt) in Mainz. The last few month's workshops covered topics such as legal structures for volunteering, good governance in associations, and effective team building, and how artificial intelligence can be used in volunteer management.

From digital innovation and organisational development to cultural heritage and environmental protection, the recent activities supported by MEM highlight the wide range of ways people can get involved in their community in Mainz. With spring underway and many initiatives continuing, MEM remains a key hub for connecting people, ideas, and meaningful engagement across the region.

If you want to learn more about Mainz, check out the video below to find out more about one of the most beautiful cities in Germany.

Volunteering Connects People – Worldwide! For International Volunteer Year 2026 (IVY), we are partnering with our German sister organisations ‘Wir tun 'was. RLP’ and ‘MEM, Mainzer Ehrenamtsbuero’! This partnership presents a fantastic opportunity to exchange knowledge, learn about each other’s cultures and forge cross-country friendships with some amazing German volunteers – broadening our perspective on volunteering around the world.