Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Are there discounts, allowances or scholarships?
Both our training courses and trainings are largely subsidised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - the participation fees only cover a small part of the actual costs.
Unfortunately, the Academy for Conflict Transformation cannot offer any reductions, discounts or scholarships. If you cannot afford the course fees, we would nevertheless like to encourage you to inform yourself whether you are eligible for other grants or scholarships. These can vary depending on the area and region, so we are not aware of all of them.
It is possible to apply or register for courses and trainings before applying for funding. Please inform us as soon as possible if you are applying for external funding so that we can take this into account when invoicing.
Can I receive funding from the German Federal Employment Agency or have educational leave credited?
We are not a registered training provider in accordance with §§ 84, 85 SGB III - and therefore do not offer any "further vocational training measures" as defined by the German Federal Employment Agency. However, individual agreements between jobseekers and the employment agency are possible. Please note that funding must be secured at the time of registration or application, as the cancellation conditions also apply here.
The Academy for Conflict Transformation does not have a seal of approval and is therefore not officially recognised as educational leave. In some cases, however, employers make an exception and recognise a course with us as educational leave. Please contact the person responsible at your workplace yourself.
What is included in the participation fee - and what is not?
For in-person trainings, it depends on the course format whether catering and accommodation are included. Please refer to the respective course pages for more information.
Costs for training materials in paper and/or digital form are included in the course fee.
Which training programme is right for me?
Please read the information pages on our programmes carefully. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can also recommend the orientation seminar on this topic: www.forumzfd-akademie.de/de/der-zivile-friedensdienst-als-beruf (only available in German)
How can I apply or register?
You can only apply for our courses and register for the trainings online on our website. You will find a link to a secure form on the respective course page during the application and registration phase.
When do I have to apply for the courses?
You can find the exact application deadlines on the respective course pages. These are usually between four and two months before the start of the course. Please note the visa deadlines when applying for the in-person course. The earlier you apply, the sooner you can submit a visa application so that the process can be completed on time.
What happens to my data?
Your application will be checked by our staff as part of the selection process. We handle your data sensitively and in accordance with regulations - you can find more information on this topic in our privacy policy.
What is the workload for the in-person trainings and courses and is childcare available?
Participants in our in-person trainings and full-time courses should note that these are full-time training programmes. We recommend that you do not have any other commitments during the course, such as a part-time job, distance learning, childcare or self-employment, as the sessions run from morning to evening. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer childcare.
How recognised is the certificate?
We provide a certificate upon successful participation. This lists all the content of the course and training, including the qualifications acquired during participation. The certificate is recognised by all sending organisations within the Civil Peace Service as well as numerous organisations in the field of conflict-sensitive development cooperation. It is not awarded on the basis of an external quality seal and is not approved by the German state.
What are the technical requirements for participating in an online trainings?
To participate in our online orientation or specialised trainings and online courses, the following technical requirements are necessary for the use of our web conferencing system:
- Good internet connection (1 Mbit down/upload or better): Check your connection here!
- The latest version of Mozilla Firefox Browser or Google Chrome should be installed on your computer.
- Current operating system and drivers
- (Headset with) speech function
We strongly recommend the use of a headset so that you can avoid background noise and echoes. We offer short technical checks before our trainings to ensure that everything is working smoothly at the start of the course. The dates can be found on the respective course pages.
What are the cancellation conditions if I want to cancel my participation in a training course?
You can find the conditions for cancellations in our General Terms and Conditions of Use (GTCU).
Where can I turn if something has happened that I cannot or do not want to discuss directly with a member of staff at the Academy?
As a peace organization, forumZFD places high demands on the integrity of its employees and the freelancers we commission. It is part of our basic attitude that criticism and suggestions for improvement are welcome. There will therefore always be room for feedback as part of the courses and trainings. Of course, we’re also available for you outside of course times.
However, if something happens that you cannot or do not want to discuss with the respective contact person, you have the option of going through the official complaints offices appointed by forumZFD. You can find more information on the complaints procedure here. And here you can find our Code of Conduct.