Strengthening Youth Connections: New Partnerships and Shared Experiences in 2025

Q2 Recap

As we move further into 2025, the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN) is excited to share updates on our growing partnerships and the inspiring events that continue to shape our mission of connecting young people across Europe. With every new collaboration and exchange, we are reminded that strong relationships between countries, organizations, and individuals are the foundation of a united and resilient future.

Welcoming New Partnerships:

EDYN Ukraine

We are establishing cooperation between GBYEN and the truly inspiring youth leadership organization EDYN Ukraine. The partnership reflects our shared goals of empowering young voices and ensuring Ukrainian perspectives and contributions are fully represented in European youth exchange. We look forward to welcoming EDYN Ukraine’s members to our events in diverse roles, building mutual understanding and resilience across borders.

ESN Estonia

We are equally pleased to begin our collaboration with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Estonia. As part of the wider ESN family, ESN Estonia plays a key role in fostering international student mobility and cultural exchange. Partnering with ESN Estonia will bring fresh opportunities for young people in the Baltic region to connect, learn, and collaborate.

Building Bridges: Youth, Resilience, and the Baltic Future

On 24 July, GBYEN participated in the Europaverein GPB e.V. digital lecture series, hosted by the German Country Office of the German-Baltic Future Foundation (DBJW). The session explored the close ties between Germany and the Baltic states - from economic cooperation to youth exchange and education.

Linus Kühl, Head of the German Country Office of DBJW, shared insights into strengthening sustainable German–Baltic relations. Lea Schalla, GBYEN Coordinator for Germany, highlighted GBYEN’s role as a vibrant platform connecting more than 30 organisations to foster exchange and cohesion.

A key discussion focused on Germany’s permanent military presence in Lithuania (Brigade 45) and NATO’s regional defence plans. Beyond the military dimension, the event emphasized the importance of societal resilience and the role of youth and civil society in building trust and mutual understanding. The conclusion was clear: a strong Europe depends not only on security, but also on strong personal connections between its people.

Engaging in Estonia: Conferences and Seminars

Our partners in Estonia have also been active on several important fronts:

Media and Information Literacy Conference

Representatives from GBYEN Estonia attended the SSCW conference “Young people, non-governmental organizations, and educators at the forefront – Creating new digital frontiers for media and information literacy and information.” With our team, participants explored topics such as online safety, media literacy, and the impact of artificial intelligence on young people.

Spring Seminar at the University of Tartu

The GBYEN partners University of Tartu’s Department of Germanistics and dbjw Country Office Estonia jointly hosted a spring seminar on “Baltic-German Literary Crossroads,” celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first book published in Estonian. The event featured inspiring discussions on translating Baltic-German literature into Estonian and highlighted archival materials preserved in Marburg, Germany.

Looking Ahead

These developments showcase the power of cooperation in amplifying young voices and fostering deeper connections across Europe. By building bridges with new partners, engaging in critical conversations, and celebrating cultural heritage, GBYEN continues to strengthen its role as a platform for dialogue, resilience, and shared growth.

We look forward to the months ahead, working with our partners and members to create meaningful opportunities for youth exchange and cooperation in the Baltic region and beyond.