Trilateral Youth Camp in Sindelfingen: An Inspiring Exchange Between Young People from Germany, Poland, and Ukraine

From August 1 to 10, 2024, Sindelfingen hosted a trilateral youth camp that brought together 26 young people from Sindelfingen, Germany, Mykolaiv, Ukraine, and Chełm, Poland. This camp marked the first project within the framework of the new trilateral partnership between the three cities, made possible by the solidarity partnership between Sindelfingen and Mykolaiv, which has been in place since 2024. Sindelfingen and Chełm already had a long-standing partnership that has now been extended to a trilateral partnership with the inclusion of Mykolaiv.

The camp was inaugurated by the First Mayor Christian Gangl, who welcomed the youth on behalf of the city at the Sindelfingen Town Hall. In his address, Gangl emphasized:

“It is inspiring to see young people from different cultures coming together to learn from each other and build a hopeful future together. This camp shows how important international encounters are, especially at a time when cooperation and mutual understanding are of utmost importance.”

One of the program highlights at the Town Hall brought the young people together with city representatives and provided a platform for cultural performances. The Polish delegation presented two contemporary dances, while the Ukrainian delegation performed a Ukrainian song and a national dance. These performances were well received and promoted intercultural exchange between the youth and city representatives.

During the subsequent 10-day camp, the participants experienced a varied program. A special highlight was the visit to the Rutesheim leisure park, where the participants could enjoy climbing activities. Equally impressive was the tour at Mercedes-Benz, which offered the youth an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the most modern automobile factories in the world. Additionally, the VfB fan tour at the stadium in Stuttgart shortly after the European Championship was another highlight, providing the young people with deeper insights into the world of professional football.

Creativity and culture also played a central role in the camp. Besides a visit to the Schauwerk Sindelfingen, offering insights into the contemporary art world, the youth participated in several creative masterclasses. The Mykolaiv delegation organized workshops on painting eco-bags and making “unity bracelets.” The Polish guests led workshops on African drums (Djembe). The city of Sindelfingen also organized painting workshops, offering the youth further creative expression opportunities.

The international cooking experience at the Jugendhaus Süd, where the young people prepared traditional dishes from their home countries, was also a special feature. The exchange was complemented by sporting activities like pétanque in Sommerhofenpark and a visit to the Sindelfingen fire station.

The camp, organized and funded by the city of Sindelfingen, provided the youth with valuable international encounters.

“Europe Prykhystok” supported the project by partially covering the transport costs for the delegation from Mykolaiv. Europe Prykhystok organizes 1- to 2-week recovery stays and 3- to 4-week class stays for Ukrainian children in France and Germany. During class stays, children come with their teachers to Europe to follow the Ukrainian curriculum on site. To date, more than 43 stays have been organized to bring Ukrainian children to a safe environment outside Ukraine. Over 800 children have participated in this program. These efforts have been made possible through the establishment of local partnerships between European and Ukrainian municipalities and the valuable support of the Robert Bosch Foundation.

The city thanks all involved and supporters who made this inspiring project possible and looks forward to further successful collaborations.