Transnational Meeting 2 in Budapest:

At the beginning of the meeting, the focus was on getting to know the participants, as it was the first time in the project that young people from the local groups participated together with professionals from the partner organizations in a Transnational Meeting.

During a shared dinner, the first conversations and contacts emerged, laying the foundation for an open and trusting atmosphere. On Thursday morning, the group built on this with various creative methods to foster a good environment, which can best be described with the words of one participant: “Normally, I find it difficult to speak in groups and open up. Here, I feel it is a safe space where I can share my opinions and thoughts.”

A central focus of the meeting was the exchange among the local groups: The young people presented creatively designed posters about their previous activities and experiences. They provided insights into their local groups, highlighted challenges and creative approaches, and demonstrated how differently work is structured in the partner countries.

In the Czech Republic, poetry slams and theater are at the forefront; in Poland, creative workshops and shared experiences in a camp setting; in Germany, the focus is on creating support services and mutual aid; and in Budapest, it is about establishing opportunities for young people and providing spaces for encounters.

Additionally, the societal perspective was emphasized: On this day, Hungary celebrated its National Holiday, which led to numerous rallies and demonstrations from various political groups.

The participants engaged deeply with these events and observed them on-site, prompting exciting discussions about political engagement, participation, and social responsibility.

Building on this, on Friday, the participants explored central questions in a “Thematic Gallery”: What challenges do young people with migration and refugee experiences face? Which issues are particularly important to them? What opportunities do they see to effect change in their communities? The results were discussed in the plenary session and translated into concrete impulses for the work of the local groups, thus linking theory and practice directly. One important insight was that young people often feel externally controlled and in a kind of limbo. There is a strong desire to look ahead and have the opportunity to determine their own fate.

Practical insights were provided by a visit to MIRA – an intercultural community center supporting refugees and migrants, achieving impressive results with very limited resources. The exchange in this informal setting deepened the experiences of the meeting and offered opportunities to take impulses back to their own project work.

Subsequently, the participants met with a local politician from Budapest, who provided insights into the current political and social situation in Hungary, leading to an intensive exchange on youth participation as well as issues of flight and migration.

Finally, feedback, ideas, and suggestions for improvement were collected to shape the next steps in the project. The event vividly demonstrated the value of personal encounters, open dialogue, and the exchange of experiences for shared learning and project development.

The meeting showed how valuable personal encounters, open exchange, and mutual inspiration are. With new ideas, motivation, and strengthened networks, the participants are entering the next project phase engaged, creative, and connected.