Creating international opportunities together

The International Youth Work Cologne Network brings together organisations, youth work providers, professionals, and institutions committed to creating international opportunities for young people.

Together, we are committed to ensuring that international youth work is accessible to all young people.

Our work strengthens international exchange, meaningful encounters, and participation—in Cologne, across Europe, and around the world.

🤝 Our Shared Vision

We see International Youth Work as a space for connection, learning, and active participation.

Young people should have the opportunity to discover new perspectives, gain their own experiences, and contribute their ideas.

International experiences foster openness, self-confidence, and mutual understanding.

We believe:

Diversity is a strength. Interaction brings people together.

👥 Young People at the Heart of What We Do

Young people play an active role in shaping International Youth Work.

We take their interests, questions, and needs seriously.

We create spaces where young people can:

• Share their own ideas
• Take on responsibility
• Gain new experiences
• Feel safe and welcome
• Experience democracy and active participation

To us, participation means that young people have a voice and are actively involved in decision-making.

♿ International Youth Work Should Be Accessible to Everyone

We want to remove barriers.

All young people should have access to international opportunities, regardless of:

• Background
• Language
• Disability
• Gender or identity
• Religion or beliefs
• Financial circumstances
• Educational background or life circumstances

We are committed to inclusion, equal opportunities and accessibility.

🛡️ Protection and Responsibility

International Youth Work needs safe spaces.

We take responsibility for safeguarding young people.

Respect, care, and clear boundaries are fundamental principles of our work.

We implement safeguarding policies and promote a culture of awareness, listening, and taking action.

Discrimination, violence, and exclusion have no place here.

🌱 Learning Together and Strengthening Quality

We see ourselves as a learning network.

We share experiences, develop new ideas, and support one another.

International collaboration helps us learn from one another and continuously develop and improve good practice.

We promote:

• Professional exchange
• Partnerships
• Collaborative projects
• Training and professional development
• Sustainable networks

🌍 Bringing Europe and International Cooperation to Life

International Youth Work brings Europe and the wider world to life.

We promote cross-border encounters and strengthen democratic values, solidarity, and mutual respect.

Programmes such as Erasmus+ help make international experiences possible for young people and youth work professionals.

⭐ Our Shared Goal

We want more young people in Cologne to have the opportunity to gain international experience.

That’s why we work together as a network.

We build connections, share knowledge, and raise the visibility of International Youth Work.

Our shared position:

International. Open. Diverse. United. Working together for young people in Cologne.

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