Ideas, Dialogue, Dance: GBYEN Lüneburg Meeting 2026

From 19 to 22 March 2026, young people from the Baltic states, Germany and the Ukraine met in Lüneburg for the GBYEN Lüneburg Meeting 2026. The programme brought together representatives of several youth organisations working on democracy, civic engagementand cultural exchange. Over four days, participants discussed their current projects, shared experiences and explored opportunities for cooperation in the future.

Arrival and Opening

The first participants arrived on Thursday afternoon and gathered for the opening session later that evening. Anna Behrens, who organized the conference, introduced the goals of the meeting and the broader work of the German Baltic Youth Engagement Network (GBYEN), which aims to strengthen cooperation between young people from Germany, the Baltic region and Ukraine. Icebreaker activities helped the participants to get to know each other, followed by a networking dinner that allowed for informal conversations and introductions. During this first evening, participants already engaged in thoughtful discussions about the current situation in Ukraine and the role of European cooperation and integration in responding to ongoing challenges. These conversations set the tone for several themes that would return later in the programme.

Presentations and Visioning

Friday began with presentations from the represented organisations, showcasing a wide range of projects that promote youth engagement, civic participation, intercultural exchange and research on regional history. These organisations included the Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung, the Carl Schirren Gesellschaft, YATA Latvia, EDYN Ukraine, Klubs "Māja" and the zis-Stiftung, among others. Later in the morning, participants visited the town hall in Lüneburg, where they were welcomed by the city’s mayor, Christel John. A workshop afterwards focused on the future of the GBYEN network, encouraging to think about how cooperation between organisations could develop further and how the network could remain active and sustainable.

Discussions on Europe

Friday afternoon continued with a lecture by author and future GBYEN coordinator Francesca Knaus, titled “A European Miracle and Its Enemies.” The talk emphasised the importance of telling more proactive and positive stories about Europe’s past successes to counter scepticism and strengthen support for democratic cooperation. Participants then attended a presentation on humanitarian initiatives, highlighting how civil society projects can contribute to international cooperation.

The programme continued with a visit to the Ostpreußisches Landesmuseum in Lüneburg, offering an insight into Baltic-German history. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to visit the museum’s newly opened exhibition on Immanuel Kant that highlighted the broader intellectual and cultural heritage of the region.

Workshops and Collaboration

Saturday focused on workshops and interactive sessions. A workshop on data security addressed the increasing importance of digital protection for organisations and activists. In another session, “Voices That Matter: Elections, Democracy and Youth Engagement,” the participants vividly discussed concrete ways in which young people can become more involved in democratic processes facing problems of populism, foreign interference and voter apathy. In the afternoon, a “project speed dating” session gave participants the opportunity to briefly present their projects or ideas for events to explore possible collaborations with other organisations represented at the meeting.

The Part with the Dancing

Alongside the conference sessions, there were several cultural and social activities that allowed participants to connect in a more relaxed setting. On Friday evening, the group gathered at the town hall for a dance lesson to unwind in a light-hearted atmosphere after the day’s discussions. On Saturday evening, participants went to Hamburg to attend the German Baltic Spring Ball, where participants enjoyed an evening of live music and dancing, combining traditional ballroom dances with an elegant atmosphere. At midnight, the traditional Française brought everyone onto the dance floor and became one of the highlights of the evening.

Closing session

The last day of the conference began with an engaged discussion with Jakob Blankenburg, Member of the German Bundestag. The conversation focused on current political developments in Europe, giving participants the opportunity to exchange views directly with a political representative.

The GBYEN meeting concluded with a final session reflecting on the key ideas of the weekend and giving participants the chance to share their impressions. The discussions once again highlighted the value of strong connections between youth organisations across the countries and the importance of continuing this cooperation in the future.

Overall, the GBYEN meeting in Lüneburg created a space for dialogue and new perspectives, bringing together young people from different backgrounds who share a commitment to cooperation, democracy and civic engagement in Europe.