The Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO) supports cities, communities, organizations and local youth centers as well as cultural and sports associations or city partnership committees from France and Germany in organizing Franco-German and trilateral youth exchanges or international summer camps that foster the Franco-German partnership.
These meetings last from 4-21 days and include a stay in either France or Germany, where the young participants have an opportunity to share everyday experiences with peers from the two partner countries. Accommodation is possible either in guest families, youth hostels or camping sites.
The educational program is often centered around extracurricular activities which the young participants might already be taking part in in their home countries on a regular basis. The meeting should be understood as a chance to get to know each other and to discover each other’s culture while having fun together. Furthermore, the FGYO supports the organizations in creating a political education program that teaches the participants about issues concerning the historical reconciliation between France and Germany.
Nonetheless, the choice of your youth meeting’s specific subject is up to you. You can offer sports activities like sailing, skiing or soccer for example. You can also offer cultural or artistic activities like musical events, choir practice, dance performances or drama productions for example. Another option would be youth meetings around science and technology or city partnership meetings.
It is essential for there to be an opportunity for participants from third countries to get involved.
Furthermore, the FGYO provides support for finding partner organizations from France and Germany.
Away from school, young people from different countries can share experiences together, while discovering things they have in common and cultural differences. They get a chance to exchange and learn from each other while having fun together.
Thanks to the meetings organized around one specific topic, the participants get together with peers that share their passions and interests. That is a good starting point for engaging in lively discussions and creating new friendships!
You are free to choose the specific topic of your program and the activities you are going to offer. Be creative and prepare a meeting that perfectly fits your organizations profile!