Call for Participants: Climate Matters! (Training course)
Date: 15th to 20th August 2026
Place: Trebnitz, Germany
Application deadline: 15th June 2026
Language: English
Background
Across Europe, awareness of the climate crisis remains high, especially among young people, who see it as one of the most pressing challenges for their future. At the same time, support for ambitious climate action is declining, and societal debates around climate change are becoming increasingly polarised. Climate issues are often framed in ways that deepen divisions, reinforce uncertainties and raise concerns about social fairness and economic stability.
This growing tension affects how young people engage with the climate crisis: while many experience concern or frustration, they often lack spaces to reflect on global interconnections, question dominant narratives and explore their own role in shaping change. Addressing the climate crisis therefore requires not only knowledge, but also dialogue, critical reflection and opportunities for participation.
Climate Matters!
The training course aims to strengthen the capacities of professionals from NGOs, civil society organisations and youth work across Europe to address these issues. It will take place in Trebnitz (near Berlin) from 15th to 20th August 2026 (including travel days). Through peer exchange, workshops and practical sessions, participants will explore approaches to polarisation and climate justice, collaboratively develop educational modules that empower young people to engage with climate issues and be equipped with tools to run youth exchange projects in the field of social-ecological transformation.
Objectives of the training:
- strengthening competences in climate education: participants will deepen their understanding of climate justice as a key challenge linking ecological, social and global dimensions, and explore how to address these issues in their work with young people.
- developing educational approaches to social-ecological transformation: participants will share and co-design workshop modules on key fields of transformation, such as energy, participation, consumption or climate-related polarisation.
- empowering young people through participation and action: the training will explore methods that help young people reflect on global interconnections, strengthen their sense of agency and engage in shaping a just and sustainable future.
- fostering European exchange and networking: participants will share experiences from different countries, learn from each other’s practices and build connections for future cooperation in climate and youth education projects.
Programme draft
You can find a first programme draft here.
When and where?
The training course takes place from 15th August to 20th August 2026 (including two travel days) in Trebnitz (near Berlin), Germany.
Who can participate?
Whether you are part of an NGO or civil society organisation, a trainer in non-formal education, youth worker or activist interested in climate justice and social-ecological transformation, this training offers space for learning, exchange and collaboration. It is aimed at people who want to develop educational approaches, strengthen young people’s agency and connect with others working on climate and youth education across Europe.
This training is open to for people from diverse backgrounds, including newcomers, professionals of NGOs and civil society organisations, trainers, youth project managers and youth workers working in relevant fields
who
- already gained experience in the context of non-formal education and would like to strengthen their skills in addressing climate education and social-ecological transformation
- have an interest to shape future youth projects as part of the Climate Matters pool of trainers of Kreisau-Initiative
- are fluent in English
- live in one of the following Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, France, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden
Costs
The participation fee depends on the country you live in.
- Country group 1: 120 € – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg
- Country group 2: 80 € – Czechia, Italy, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia
- Country group 3: 50 € – Romania
Participation fees should not be a barrier to joining this training. If you are unable to cover the fee, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will find a solution.
Travel reimbursement
Travel costs will be reimbursed based on actual expenses, up to the maximum lump sum amounts determined by travel distances (in EUR). The distance band of maximum reimbursement per participant is based on the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator.
- 10-99 km –green travel 56 €
- 100-499 km – green travel 285€
- 500-1999 km – 309€/ green travel – 417€
If you are selected, please get in touch with us to arrange the booking of your travel tickets and the reimbursement of your travel expenses. Do not book your travel independently.
We will help you to find the best itinerary. We strive to protect the environment and act sustainably. Therefore, we encourage participants to avoid travelling by plane wherever possible.
How to apply?
Please fill in the application form by 15th June 2026.
The participants will be selected on the basis of motivation and the available number of places per country.
All admitted persons for participation in the training will be informed by 19th June, 2026. Persons who were not contacted are on a waiting list and will be contacted subsequently if spots become available.
Contact for questions:
Pascal Goddemeier
E-Mail: goddemeier [at] kreisau.de
Phone: +49 (0) 30 53 89 31 63 65