The voluntary ecological year in Austria (abbreviated FUJ for Freiwilliges Umweltjahr) and Germany (abbreviated FÖJ for Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr) is an educational and orientation year for teenagers and young adults of ages 16 through 27. The voluntary ecological year can be attended only once and usually lasts 12 months (from 1 August to 31 July of the following year).
In Germany this service is financed and realized by the states and some agencies. The agencies also organize 5 seminars per year which must be attended by the participant. Apart from that, the participants have to be self organized.
This voluntary service can be fulfilled in agricultural institutions and forrestries, in organisations for environment protection and animal welfare.