New skills can help them cope and thrive. Intercultural competence is one of those skills that can help pave the way to success in this increasingly interconnected, interdependent global community.

International youth exchanges offer practical opportunities to acquire this important aptitude by introducing young people to peers from all over the world. This supports the process through which they define their own identity, introduces them to other worlds and cultures, makes historical responsibilities understandable and clearly demonstrates the advantages of the values ​​of our liberal society.

State-subsidized international exchange programs are particularly important for young people who would otherwise have little opportunity to travel. It allows them to learn together with new friends, and gain first-hand experiences in problem solving and cooperation.

International meetings - funding guidelines

Due to Germany's special historical obligation towards the Jewish people, North Rhine-Westphalia and Israel attach great importance to the exchange and encounters between young people from these two countries. Here is a compilation of the most important questions and answers:

What is funded?
The following are funded in particular:

• youth encounters
• Expert meetings
• special individual projects
• Memorial trips

Are there any limits to funding?
Up to 85 percent of the eligible costs can be funded.

Which organizations are eligible to apply?
Recognized providers of free youth welfare and local providers of public youth welfare.

Where can we hand in applications?
 

Applications for projects in 2021

The application deadlines for projects in 2020 have expired. In due time, we will inform you here about deadlines for applications for projects in 2021 that are funded by the NRW child and youth development plan.

This funding, like all funding programs, is subject to budgetary reservations, i.e. it depends on the necessary funds being made available in the state budget.

• Child and Youth Promotion Plan of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia 2018 - 2022 (PDF) Ministerialblatt (MBl. NRW.) - Edition 2018 No. 14 from June 8, 2018, pages 341 to 364
• Application form (Word)
• Appendix 1 to the application (Word)

Guide "Good ideas cost money"

In addition to the regular funding provided by the state or federal children's and youth plan, sponsors of German-Israeli exchange programs are always looking for additional funding options for their programs. This handout developed by ConAct offers ideas and starting points for additional funding from public bodies or private foundations.

• Good ideas cost money (PDF, as of 2019)

Here you can find additional information on special funds for the German-Israeli youth exchange from the federal children's and youth plan.

Further support programs especially for young people: Seminars for pupils and young people in Yad Vashem.