Zivildienst

Zivildienst (German, translated verbatim to "Civilian Service" although "compulsory paid community service" is more contextually equivalent) is the civilian branch of the national service systems in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is a means for conscripted persons who are conscientious objectors to fulfill their national service, typically in the fields of social works (e.g. hospitals, retirement homes, emergency medical services) and, although rarely, environmental protection, agriculture, and public administration.