Events

Creative Crafts for Ukrainian Women

Join us as we facilitate a time of creativity for Ukrainian Women. We will provide a special/unique craft for these ladies to create. Volunteers will assist and invite the ladies into conversation.

Where: Luxemburger Str. 273, 50939 Köln – STC KOELN Office

When: September 10

Time: 16:00 – 19:00 to set up/event/cleanup

To Register sign up HERE

September 12

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Meeting point: Riehler playground (near the Slabystraße stop, Line 18)

We’re planning an event for the big CleanUp Day on September 12 and will be cleaning up south of the Riehler Aue along the Rhine. We’ll meet at 12:00 p.m. at the Riehler Aue  playground (near the Slabystraße stop, Line 18) and clear the riverbanks of trash and cigarette butts.

Serve the City will provide all the necessary supplies, such as trash bags, gloves, and litter pickers.

Please bring sunscreen or rain jackets (depending on the weather), as well as plenty to drink.

Register HERE or on MEETUP

Give seniors with physical limitations a wonderful day 
Meeting Place: Café Lamerdin, Einhardstr. 5, 50937 Köln Sülz
Time: 13:45 at 14:00 we will travel to the Flora, we will return approx. at 17:45 Uhr
When: 17. September
 
Join us in accompanying a group of seniors on an outing to the beautiful Flora Köln—followed by a visit to a café. The outing is organized by the Cologne-Klettenberg Senior Network; we at Serve the City are supporting the event as volunteers.
Your role is to step in wherever help is needed: assisting with getting on and off the vehicles, walking, or providing other small forms of assistance. Trained staff will also be on site to provide nursing care.
If you enjoy interacting with older adults, aren’t afraid to get hands-on—for example, to prevent a fall—are physically fit, and are available for the entire outing (including the return trip), we’d love to have you join us!
When you register, please indicate whether you have a Deutschlandticket, as not all volunteers need to ride in the vehicles.
Please bring sturdy shoes, plenty of water, and—depending on the weather—sunscreen or a rain jacket.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide coffee and cake. You’re welcome to buy something at the café or bring your own snacks.
Register HERE!

Serve the City International: Training Fair, “Volunteering for People, Planet, and Protection”

Join us for Serve the City’s very first in-person STC Training Fair –  an opportunity to empower your city with the development of safe, impactful, and sustainable volunteering projects! All trainings will be done in English.

Through practical training sessions and collaborative learning opportunities , participants will gain tools and skills to:

  • TRAUMA RESPONSE – supporting beneficiaries experiencing trauma while protecting your teams
  • CRISIS RESPONSE  – Responding effectively to local crises
  • HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION  – New ways of communicating anti-trafficking tips/ prevention and awareness of human trafficking
  • WARMING CITIES – Developing projects that respond to environmental challenges in cities
  • PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPACT – Strengthening local volunteering initiatives for long-term community impact
  • AI FOR STC – Maximizing your STC efficiency using Artificial Intelligence

Let’s learn, connect, and grow together!

When: September 24 and 25

Location: Sülz, Köln (location given after Registering)

Register to Volunteer at the event and attend for FREE!

Register to Volunteer HERE

Registration Closes Sept 2. Register for the event HERE

Christmas (NEW) Toy Drive

Christmas is right around the corner. We are collecting NEW toys for children between the ages of 1 – 15 years old. We will then wrap each toy and deliver them to children living here in Cologne at either the Refugee Camp or one of the many homeless shelters. (please, no used toys)

New toys can be dropped off at the STC Cologne offices anytime before December. 1, 2026.

STC Cologne Offices are open m/t/w/th from 9:00 until 16:00. Don’t hesitate to call or WhatsApp: 015565 525654

Drop off location: Luxemburger Str. 273, 50939 Lindenthal

 

 

Tree Planting Day with UPS
This Autumn, through the generous support of Serve the City Cologne and TUPSF, International Tree Foundation (ITF) will once again be organizing a tree planting event for UPS and STC Cologne volunteers.
When: 18th October 2026, 10:00 – 16:30 (Whole day commitment)
travel time: 1.5 hours, planting time: 3 hours, travel time: 1.5 hours
Location: Lüdenscheid
The activity – Plant a new ‘UPS Forest’
Volunteers will then plant these trees at Lüdenscheid – with this section of the woodland being named ‘UPS Forest’. Some of the planting area will be prepared but volunteers will also be digging new holes for the trees to be planted. These 3000 trees will extend this young woodland further across the site, helping to establish a healthier soil structure, improve drought and flood resilience on the land, strengthen its resistance to diseases and enhance local biodiversity as the trees settle into the landscape for years to come.
What to bring
Please bring warm outdoor clothing including waterproofs and outdoor footwear. All tools and planting equipment will be provided by Plant My Tree and there will be light refreshments throughout the activity including hot drinks, water, fruits and sweet and savory pastries. There are toilets on site and a shelter with lots of seating in case of challenging weather conditions.
REGISTRATION is due October 9, 2026 to ensure we have enough time to reserve cars.
Meeting Point and timings
  • Transport will be provided for STC Volunteers travelling from Köln.
    • Car departure time: 10:00
    • Arrival time at site: 11:30

Ongoing Projects

German Table

Meet, talk and connection

Join us for our next gathering! We’ll be catching up, building up our community her in Sülz, and enjoying the night together! As always, drinks are available (donations for drinks are appreciated!)

When: 1st and 3rd Thursdays (Some exceptions) 19:00

Where: STC KOELN Office-  Luxemburger Str. 273, 50939 Köln

For all upcoming dates and to register click HERE

For all upcoming dates and to register

Are you looking for a place to test your language skills? Every 14 days on Saturdays, we offer the opportunity to get to know each other in relaxed conversations in German and English. Come and improve your language skills or meet new people! Enjoy delicious coffee/tea and experience even better conversations.

For the palate: delicious coffee/tea and homemade cake

For the soul: encouraging conversations in German and English.

Venue: EFG – Cologne City Mission, Berrenrather Str. 354, 50937 Cologne-Sülz

Directions: Line 18: Sülzgürtel stop and 5 minutes by foot, Line 13, bus 130, 134 and 978: Berrenrather Str. / Gürtel stop and 2 minutes by foot

Opening hours: every second week on Saturdays, from 16:00 to 18:00

Everyone is cordially invited!

Find us on MEET UP

For all upcoming dates and to register

Together we will help the Housing First Initiative of Vringstreff e.V. renovate apartments for formerly homeless people and assist with their move-in. This includes tasks such as:

  • Moving assistance – transporting furniture and personal belongings to the client’s apartment
  • Assembling furniture
  • Painting (painting walls/ceilings)
  • Laying flooring (PVC/carpet, laminate, installing baseboards)
  • Installing ceiling lights
  • Connecting televisions
  • Transporting donated furniture from the donor to the recipient
  • Spontaneous assignments; these are usually planned two weeks in advance
    • Serve the City should provide a full team of 2–4 people for each assignment.

For interest or to participate with upcoming Housing First Projects join the volunteer team on WHATSAPP.

On-Call Support in Sülz & Ehrenfeld
In addition to our regular group activities, we occasionally receive small support requests from seniors living in Sülz and Ehrenfeld. To help with these requests, we are building a pool of volunteers whom we can contact when needed.
The tasks are usually simple and suitable for one volunteer, such as changing a light bulb, helping with a small gardening task, or accompanying someone to a doctor’s appointment.
These requests arise irregularly. Whenever we receive one, we will reach out to volunteers in the pool, and you can simply decide whether you are available and interested in helping.
Interested? Feel free to contact us at +49 15565 525 654 — WhatsApp messages are welcome.

We’re looking for ongoing volunteers for projects in the

EAE (European Homecare) Köln!

We work passionately for the wellbeing of Refugees in the EAE Köln (Refugee First- Intake Center). Our mission is to support the residents in their daily lives as well as to improve their quality of life through a variety of projects. We need your help in this valuable work.

WHAT WE DO:

  • Sports Projects: We organize regular sports and activities to help improve community and fitness for the residents. Whether through Football tournaments, Volleyball matches or Picnics in the park, there is something available for everyone.
  • Art Projects: Creativity knows no borders! We offer a variety of activities ranging from painting workshops to theater productions to music projects. Everyone has the chance to discover their artistic talents.
  • Beautification Projects: With our beautification projects we seek to improve and beautify the Refugee center and its surroundings. These include gardening, renovation, and other creative ways to bring more beauty into the community.

WHY GET INVOLVED?

  • Do something good: Your help makes a real difference in the lives of people who are in urgent need of help.
  • Have new experiences: Get to know people from different cultures and gain valuable volunteer experience.
  • Experience community: Become a part of an active and caring community that does some big things together.

Want to get involved?!
Are you interested in becoming a part of our team that regularly serves and supports
our projects at EAE? Let us know by registering on our website! It doesn’t matter if you
have a little time or a lot of time to give – together we’ll find the right opportunity for you
to get involved.

To sign up for ON-Going projects at EAE, Click the box on our Volunteer Form

On-Going Projects at EAE

UNIKLINIK KOELN

Long-Term Volunteers needed

The University Hospital Cologne offers medical care at the cutting edge of medical knowledge and expertise. Every day, the people who work here are committed to the physical and emotional well-being of patients. Volunteers also make a significant and unmistakable contribution by listening, showing compassion and exchanging ideas from person to person.

Must know German.

For more information and to register, sign up HERE