As the modes of public funding for German TSOs have been changed thoroughly, threatening their survival. Public funding is increasingly acquired via contracts with public authorities, making administrative procedures increasingly complicated and time consuming for TSOs. While the professional requirements for volunteers especially in administrative terms are on the increase, volunteers are less interested in work assignments that come with administrative responsibilities. Labour market standards in TSOs are comparatively low. Civil society organisations like sports and cultural associations see restrictions in access to the infrastructure they need to operate.

The German TSI team around Annette Zimmer is addressing such challenges with a set of policy recommendations, based on findings published in the report External and Internal Barriers to Third Sector Development in Germany.