"On behalf of all organisations of the Réseau AGYI Bénin, I would like to thank the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Engagement Global for organising this partner matching conference, which was a complete success. Despite all the concerns regarding visa issues, the conference was full of energy and enthusiasm with very dedicated but above all engaging and motivating participants," says Ibrahim Tchan, coordinator of the Réseau AGYI Bénin after the first Benin-German partner matching.
Representatives of 41 organisations from Benin and Germany took part in a workshop in Cotonou, Benin at the beginning of August. The event was organised by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) in cooperation with the Réseau AGYI Bénin and brought together Beninese and German organisations from the fields of nature conservation, child and youth work, intercultural exchange, culture, industry, education, development cooperation and women's rights. The aim was to prepare Beninese and German actors for the implementation of joint youth encounters. "All the participants expressed a high level of motivation to facilitate exchange projects between young people from Benin and Germany. I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and target-oriented approach of all involved," says Freddy Ndongbou of Engagement Global.
In addition to talks on joint project ideas, the application process for extracurricular encounter projects within the framework of weltwärts was discussed. Furthermore, Engagement Global staff at the visa office provided information and training on how to overcome obstacles when applying for a Schengen visa to visit Germany. In addition to the joint concept work, the agenda also included a personal visit of the German organisations at a future partner organisation in Benin. This enabled the German partners to learn first-hand about the needs and expectations of the Beninese participants and to find out more about the technical equipment available for implementing the joint projects.
Gabriele Brühl from the Brühl Foundation draws a thoroughly positive conclusion: "I have made many new contacts, which will be very useful for my project work in Benin in the future. And I networked not only with Beninese Non-governmental organisations, but also with many of the German organisations. We will try to make the most of the synergies." In this spirit of partnership, the German and Beninese participants plan to submit joint funding applications for youth exchanges.
A particularly important aspect of youth exchanges and volunteering is the preparation and follow-up of participants. This will be addressed in a workshop from 2 to 4 September in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition to coordinating good practices, trainers from Benin, Germany, South Africa and Tanzania, together with representatives of Engagement Global and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), will discuss issues of intercultural communication, support for host organisations, alumni work and the development of toolkits for educational support for young people.
