From December 12 to 15, our annual meeting with international partners took place. Invited were not only our long-standing partner organizations from across Europe, but also volunteers and EJBM supporters, professionals from the region, and members of our Youth Advisory Board.

The working meeting was a great success in many ways and once again demonstrated how important international networking is for our region. Through constructive discussions and workshops, we:

  • Planned several joint international youth exchanges, training courses for professionals, and other exchange projects,
  • Further optimized organization and communication between partners,
  • Reflected on successful projects from the past year and exchanged them as best-practice examples,
  • And defined new topics and areas of work for the coming years.

We were particularly pleased with the participation of numerous colleagues with whom we have shared a long-standing, trusting collaboration. At the same time, we were able to welcome some new faces, further expanding the foundation for future cooperation.

Significance for Saxony-Anhalt and the EJBM

This meeting once again highlighted the role of the EJBM in fostering international networking in Saxony-Anhalt – and not only in the field of youth work. Through our Europe-wide collaborations, we can develop educational programs, youth exchanges, and training that broaden horizons and equip young people and professionals with valuable international, social, and communication skills – qualities that are indispensable in light of demographic change and current crises.

At the same time, this meeting served to sharpen our focus areas: From European political education to human rights education, intercultural youth work, and democracy promotion – together with our partners, we create programs that drive our mission: to broaden horizons and foster competencies in our region. This not only benefits our non-formal educational offerings but also strengthens our collaborations with schools and vocational training institutions as part of our Erasmus+ Mobility Consortium.

A Cultural Closing

After intense working days, a bit of cultural exchange was, of course, a must: A visit to a »Real German Christmas Market« provided cozy moments, mulled wine, gingerbread, and many good conversations. A festive conclusion that delighted our international guests and brought us all closer together.

We thank all participants, partner organizations, and supporters for their valuable contributions and look forward to implementing the many ideas in the coming year!