Jugend Dritte Welt (JDW) was founded in 1980 in order to support the Mission Procure of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Bonn with personnel and financial resources. Today JDW, as a Non Government Organisation, is striving for a sustained human, social and economic development by working towards the eradication of poverty with particular attention to childhood and adolescence. JDW is following in the pedagogical heritage of Don Bosco education and empowerment as most efficient tools for development.

In close cooperation with the Bonn-based Don Bosco Mission, JDW is supporting projects, offering counselling services and personal assistance to partners in the south. JDW is raising general awareness in Germany concerning global questions of development based on justice, democracy and respect for the environment. JDW is promoting voluntary work to young people as global learning experience and expression of their personal commitment for a better world.

They implement their  programs in developing countries mostly in collaboration with Salesian institutions. Salesian institutions are working in favour of the youth and children in 130 countries in the world. JDW is cooperating in 92 countries in Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. The Salesian institutions usually have a long experience in the countries where they work, and are registered as NGOs under local law. They plan and coordinate their activities through a Project Development Office PDO. The PDOs develop strategies and prepare programs, which are presented to JDW for cooperation.