Germany’s Green Party pushes volunteer registry to tap older citizens’ expertise

What if decades of expertise could become a nation’s backup plan? A bold proposal rethinks defense by unlocking skills often overlooked in emergencies.

, and Administrator

2025 November 19 . 9:18 PM

1 min read

In this image, we can see a poster. Here we can see yellow color ambulance with some text and... — In this image, we can see a poster. Here we can see yellow color ambulance with some text and numerical numbers on it.

Germany’s Green Party pushes volunteer registry to tap older citizens’ expertise

Green Party co-leader Franziska Brantner has proposed a new volunteer registry to bolster national defense. The system would enable older citizens to document their skills, which could be beneficial during a crisis. Brantner tied this idea to broader concerns about fairness between generations.

The proposal would involve authorities creating a database of older volunteers with valuable expertise. Skills such as drone programming or logistics could be documented for potential use in emergencies. Brantner emphasized that defense planning should not rely solely on young people eligible for military service.

The proposal seeks to expand the pool of available expertise in a crisis. If implemented, the registry would complement existing defense measures. Brantner's plan also relates to broader discussions about how to distribute responsibilities more evenly across society.