Foundation and cooperation projects
As part of its own initiatives, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation realises projects that make intercultural exchange lively and lasting. They bring people from Germany and the partner countries together – be it at conferences, cultural events or thematic programmes to learn from each other, engage in dialogue and gain new perspectives.
The foundation designs, organises and supports these formats either on its own initiative or in close cooperation with networks, institutions and international partners. The focus is on sustainable relationships, personal dialogue and civic engagement.
Event ‘80 Years of Liberation from National Socialism’
To mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation from National Socialism, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation invited participants to discuss war, the culture of remembrance, and international responsibility on 5 June 2025 in the lecture theatre ruins of the Charité Medical History Museum in Berlin.
Europe Lab: Call for participants
From 11 to 15 August, the Europe Lab 2025 will bring together young committed people from all over Europe and its neighbouring regions in Weimar to discuss social challenges and new perspectives for Europe. The focus is on dialogue, a culture of remembrance and the development of joint projects.
Focusing on Armenia
On 8 April 2025, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation brought together dedicated individuals from the worlds of civil society, diplomacy and politics in Berlin to discuss the prospects, challenges and opportunities of such cooperation. Thank you to all the participants for the open discussion, the inspiring ideas and the commitment to strengthening the partnership.
Pilot project launched
For the first time, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation has supported a project in the field of German-Ukrainian medical cooperation in a humanitarian context. From 26 to 28 March 2025, Dr M. B. Yatsuliak completed an internship at Marienstift Arnstadt in Thuringia.
A joint declaration in support of the Germany-Central Asia Partnership Forum 2024
As part of his trip to Central Asia, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with the Central Asian heads of state and government in Astana yesterday. As in previous bilateral meetings, the Z5+1 summit primarily focused on deepening economic cooperation, as well as security and migration issues.
The Federal Foreign Office is offering the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation Network Foundation the opportunity to organise ‘Town Hall Talks’
Through direct dialogue with diplomats, the Federal Foreign Office aims to make foreign policy tangible for interested parties outside Berlin. The aim is to share experiences on foreign policy issues.
30 years of the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation
On 19 June 2024, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary with a festive event in Berlin. More than 140 guests came together to honour this special occasion and reflect on the past three decades.
Panel discussion: ‘A look at China – from the perspective of Central Asia’
As part of a conference entitled ‘Understanding China’ organised by the Protestant Academy of Saxony-Anhalt, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation held a panel discussion on 7 October 2023 entitled ‘A look at China – from the perspective of the neighbouring states’.
Press release: Central Asia – Expanding civil society cooperation
On 29 September 2023, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet with the presidents of all five Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – at the Federal Chancellery. Read the press release here.
Second Round Table: Civil Society in Central Asia
In the context of the planned visits of Central Asian heads of state to Germany at the end of September, the Federal Foreign Office hosted the Second Round Table on 20 September 2023. The event, titled ‘Issues and challenges in shaping civil society relations with Central Asia’, brought together key figures to discuss important issues.
Focusing on Kyrgyzstan
On 17 May 2023, as part of the international art festival Berlin x Bishkek Art Weeks, the round table discussion “Kyrgyzstan at a glance: Perspectives for Inter-Societal Cooperation” took place.
Berlin x Bishkek Art Weeks
From 12 May – 28 May 2013, the former car dealership on Moritzplatz in Berlin Kreuzberg will become a meeting place. Initiated by young creatives from Berlin and Bishkek, the capital of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the intercultural art festival ‘Berlin Bishkek Art Weeks’ will take place there and is supported by the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation, among others.
Focusing on Moldova
Discussion round and presentation of the current book ‘Realitatea’ by photographer Andrea Diefenbach, followed by a reception. Around 100 guests accepted the invitation from the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation on Thursday, 24 November 2022, at the PalaisPopulaire in Berlin.
Photo exhibition: The Road Beyond – Ruslan Hrushchak
Together with Galerie Buchkunst Berlin, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation is presenting the touching and poetic photographs by Ukrainian photographer Ruslan Hrushchak from his series ‘The Road Beyond’. The opening event will take place on Thursday, 12 May 2022 from 6 pm to 10 pm and will feature a comprehensive programme of events.