Young people, especially refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Kenya and Kazakhstan, had the opportunity to share their perspectives and challenges and learn about democracy and non-violent conflict resolution in fairtogether seminars.
In two weeks of seminars in spring and autumn 2024, fairtogether multipliers from Ukraine, Kenya, Uganda, Afghanistan, Sudan, Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries were trained in topics such as self-empowerment, teamwork, non-violent communication and conflict resolution, dealing with difficult emotions and democracy issues.
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In 2024, they volunteered to lead 6 two-day fairtogether workshops on topics such as non-violent conflict resolution, diversity as strength and democracy for youth groups with and without a history of flight in the Ostalb region and in Brandenburg. The participants had the opportunity to get to know each other better, share their perspectives and develop strategies to resolve conflicts non-violently, develop an understanding of other cultures and volunteer in their communities.
The multipliers volunteered at the Um-Welthaus in Aale and the International Office in Berlin. They organised various holiday activities such as a bicycle tour on sustainability topics for refugees in Herzberg and Doberlug-Kirchhain in Brandenburg; day trips to the Limes Museum in Aalen and the Memorium Nuremberg Trials for young people from Ukraine and LEA Ellwangen and a city rally on integration and sustainability topics in Aalen and weekly group activities for children and youth groups with a history of flight in Aalen, Ellwangen, Berlin, Herzberg and Doberlug-Kirchberg (Brandenburg). Among other things, German learning groups, maths learning groups and art groups for children and young people were offered, which will continue in 2025.
We are delighted with the diverse dialogue and commitment of the volunteers at the Um-Welthaus in Aalen and the International Office in Berlin.
The 14-month project ‘fairtogether: Shaping life together’ was supported by the German Foundation for Volunteering and Engagement and the European Union.
Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3pt99XGbNo
We are several organisations in the International Office in Berlin.
We are located in the centre of Berlin near Friedrichstraße S-Bahn station at Planckstr. 20 (rear building on the left). You can reach us at
+49(0)30-20458143
At a time when societies are increasingly affected by social and political polarisation, discrimination, undemocratic tendencies and policies, shrinking civic spaces, and growing social divisions, many young people are searching for spaces where they can express themselves, connect with others, and actively contribute to their communities. Young people with migration or refugee backgrounds in particular often face barriers to participation and limited opportunities to engage in democratic and civic processes.
The Erasmus+ Youth Participation project “Fairtogether: Vielfalt (er-)leben und gemeinsam gestalten” was created to respond to these challenges by strengthening youth participation, inclusion, and democratic engagement through non-formal education and youth-led initiatives.
As part of the project, young people from different backgrounds participated in a 5-day Training for Fairtogether Multipliers in Aalen. The training focused on topics such as diversity, democratic participation, non-violent communication, anti-racism and discrimination, conflict transformation, and civic courage. During the training, participants strengthened their competencies in communication, teamwork, leadership, and active citizenship.
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Following the training, the participants implemented youth-led workshops and participation activities in Berlin/Brandenburg and Aalen/Ostalbregion. Working in small teams, the trained multipliers designed and facilitated activities on topics including teamwork and cooperation, inclusion, racism and discrimination, civic courage, and democratic participation. The workshops created spaces for dialogue, learning, and exchange, allowing participants to reflect on social challenges and discuss ways to contribute to more inclusive and democratic communities.
The project also created opportunities for direct exchange between young people and policymakers or at least, influencers of policies. In Berlin, participants met with a retired EU diplomat and former German Ambassador to discuss democracy, peace, international cooperation, and youth participation. In Aalen, participants engaged in discussions with representatives from local governance structures, including a member of the Aalen Youth Council and a representative affiliated with the CDU Party. These meetings encouraged young people to share their perspectives, ask questions, and better understand political and civic processes.
A strong focus of the project was the inclusion of young people with fewer participation opportunities. Additional support were provided to ensure that participation remained accessible and meaningful for everyone involved.
One of the most important outcomes of the project was the strong ownership shown by the young participants themselves. Many continued their engagement beyond the workshops and expressed interest in remaining active in future civic and youth participation initiatives.
As part of the follow-up process, the project team and participants also developed a guideline documenting methods, experiences, and reflections from the activities in order to support future youth participation and inclusion work.
The project was funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme.
Right-wing populism, polarisation, declining trust in democracy and social inequality are jeopardising cohesion in our society. Standing up together for tolerance, democracy and mutual understanding is the aim of our new project "fairtogether: Shaping life together". At the Um-Welthaus Aalen / Ostalb and our International Office in Berlin / Brandenburg, we will work together with the association Blacks and Whites - Together for Human Rights to empower people with and without a history of flight to become active volunteers for a colourful society and human rights.
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In the fourteen-month project, we organise an interesting training for new facilitators in our interactive peace education fairtogether concept for active people working with refugees and refugees themselves, who then offer fairtogether workshops in refugee shelters and for mixed groups. After the training, our volunteer managers support the new facilitators and other interested volunteers to continue volunteering and to offer thematic interest groups of refugees and volunteers for refugees. Weekly German language courses and legal advice for refugees in Berlin, psycho-social support for women from Ukraine in Aalen and a peer-to-peer support group in the initial reception centre in Ellwangen have already started. In a second seminar on volunteer management, they learn professional approaches to working as volunteers and we develop opportunities for long-term involvement with act for transformation and Blacks and Whites.
It is important to us that the voices of refugees, volunteers and our facilitators are also heard in public and that the needs and opportunities for civil society engagement become more visible. Starting in April, we will meet monthly with activists and representatives of groups, NGOs and institutions that are committed to human rights and working with refugees. We will discuss the needs and opportunities for action as volunteers.
Our Global Peace Room is a virtual space for young people from Germany, Armenia, Sudan and Uganda to discuss peace and sustainability issues. Last year, we focussed on civil society engagement for a peaceful world and got to know exciting people from different countries and their commitment. This year, we are focussing on sustainability issues and the design of liveable cities and communities.
You can find the current online programme under Events. If you would like to join the local groups, please contact:
We support young people who are escaping the war in Ukraine via the Caucasus. We offer regular online counselling, a hotline and telegram channel on site and provide advice on compiling documents for possible visa applications or planning onward travel.
We have joined the campaign for the right to asylum for conscientious objectors. We offer the following services for those affected, relatives and friends of conscientious objectors
Counselling hotline: Phone +49(0)30 2082284
Email: peace@act4transformation.net
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We support organisations that are prepared to offer conscientious objectors an "alternative service abroad", e.g. as BFD, FSJ or an ecological year. We place interested young people who have fled to Georgia or Armenia.
German and international Quakers have been using this place as an office and place of worship since 1925. Initially, the "International Quaker Office", run by British and American Quakers, moved in to coordinate the Quakers' emergency aid for the German population, the "Quaker feeding programme". The office was headed by an "International Secretariat", which consisted of one American, one British and one German Quaker.
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With the beginning of the Nazi era, the focus of the work shifted: the Quaker office became an important contact point for persecuted people, whose emigration was organised from there. From here, for example, work was carried out on the so-called "Kindertransports", which enabled a total of 10,000 Jewish children to be rescued by taking them to foster parents in England. Today, there is a memorial to the children of the Kindertransports near the Quaker office. When the USA entered the war, the last foreign Quaker left the office in the summer of 1941. The German Quakers were able to continue to run the office for some time under difficult circumstances
Blacks and Whites Together for Human Rights (B/W for H. R) e.v.
advocates for the rights of refugees and marginalised groups. Its mission is rooted in the principles of Articles 13, 14 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The aim is to empower people through training, workshops, awareness-raising and therapeutic programmes and to create a platform for freedom and equality.
The "Arbeitskreis friedenspolitische Bildung" e.V. (AfpB) was founded in 1977 and campaigns for more peace education in society and schools. For years, it was the supporting organisation for more than ten peace education institutions vis-à-vis the Federal Agency for Civic Education, until this was withdrawn. In the meantime, there are various peace education networks and a nationwide exchange throughout Germany. In Baden-Württemberg, the Service Centre for Peace Education was established with the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs and the State Centre for Political Education, in which we are involved.