Mission statement of the foundation

Encounter and understanding

The West-Eastern Encounters Foundation fosters personal encounters between people from Germany and countries in Eastern Europe, the Baltic States, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. It aims to support intercultural learning, deepen East-West communication and expertise and strengthen civic engagement.

Getting to know and understand each other and acting together can influence societal processes and contribute to lasting understanding between people. We therefore see exchange projects as a sustainable investment in the future. Young people in particular can gain important experience and skills that prepare them for good cooperation and collaboration with their neighbouring countries.

How we understand and shape our foundation’s purpose

The West-Eastern Encounters Foundation actively realises its purpose: it develops funding programmes and puts them out to public tender, and it carries out its own projects. It is both a sponsor and contact partner for exchange programmes with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The foundation sees itself as an independent civil society actor and competent partner. It works together with civil society organisations, networks in Germany and abroad as well as with public and private funding institutions – as well as with partners from politics and business.

What, who and how we foster

The West-Eastern Encounters Foundation supports bilateral encounters and cooperation between German schools, youth groups, civic associations and other non-profit private and public organisations, preferably through specific projects that are carried out together with partners from the above-mentioned countries in Germany or abroad. Reciprocity of the programmes as well as plurality and equality of sponsorship should be the guiding principles. Trilateral encounters can also be funded.

The Foundation regards the applicants and grant recipients as important partners for the fulfilment of the Foundation’s purpose. It advises them on the planning and financing of exchange programmes, on applying for, using and accounting for foundation funds and on the quality requirements of the projects. It organises contacts and exchanges between initiatives and groups involved in similar activities and supports the development of innovative ideas and creative projects.

The foundation’s funding profile aims for a high recognition value. Through a flexible tendering and selection process, the foundation makes its work lively and attractive and reaches new organisations for encounters and exchange.

The relevant committees of the foundation decide on the allocation of funding in an impartial and unbiased manner. The decisions are comprehensible within the framework of the guidelines and are announced promptly.

Shaping the future with dynamism – invitation to collaborate

The West-Eastern Encounters Foundation is committed to cooperation in order to actively contribute to shaping international dialogue. We invite institutions, associations, foundations and local authorities as well as active and interested parties to exchange experiences, connect ideas and develop sustainable projects together.