Autumn 2026

The Coordinators‘ Meeting brought together project coordinators from 9 of the Understanding Europe Countires from October 8th to 11th in Berlin, Germany

The 2026 Autumn Coordinators’ Meeting followed the theme “Navigating Crisis Conditions: Challenges, Opportunities, and Growth,” and it began on Thursday, October 8, with the arrival and registration of participants. The programme opened with an introductory and welcome session, including an ESP Talk, followed by team-building activities to strengthen connections among participants. In the afternoon, the group travelled to the Embassy of Ukraine in the Federal Republic of Germany for a study visit with the Youth Ambassadors in Ukraine. Afterwards, participants had the opportunity to gather for a Ukrainian coffee break at Restaurant Fayna before concluding the day with a shared dinner.

On Friday, October 9, the focus shifted to network updates and exchange. The day began with a check-in and a self-reflection session, followed by updates from representatives of the Schwarzkopf Foundation. Participants then shared updates from their respective countries, providing insights into national developments and experiences across the network. After lunch, the programme continued with a communication workshop led by a Schwarzkopf representative, alongside further country updates and an EYP team-building session. The day concluded with dedicated consultation time, offering participants an opportunity to discuss individual questions and challenges, followed by a shared dinner.

Saturday, October 10, was dedicated to resilience, coordination, and exploring ways to respond to challenging circumstances. Following a morning check-in and self-reflection session, participants attended a session on online facilitation as a response to challenging conditions. This was followed by a contribution on youth leadership during crises, drawing on the experiences of the Rebuild Ukraine Ambassadors and presented by one of them. In the afternoon, participants explored how to develop initial local contacts into partnerships in a session. The programme continued with a session on disinformation and the role of youth civil society in countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). After a coffee break and informal networking activity, participants took part in a Motanka workshop before ending the day with a shared dinner.

Sunday, October 11, the final day of the meeting, focused on reflection, well-being, and bringing the programme to a close. After the morning check-in, participants took part in a welfare workshop, providing space to reflect on well-being and support. This was followed by an Open Space session, allowing participants to engage in open discussions and exchange ideas on topics relevant to the network. After lunch, the meeting concluded with a feedback and closing session, marking the official end of the Autumn Coordinators’ Meeting 2026.