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Conference “Young Leaders of the Borderlands”

The “Young Leaders of the Borderlands” conference is a two-day event set to inaugurate the activities of the River International Meeting House at the end of April 2025. We invite young leaders from Poland and Germany who are active in their communities, as well as representatives from local governments. This will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges of border regions, build new relationships, and highlight the values driving our project. The conference’s conclusions will be made available online, ensuring everyone can benefit from its results.

A year later, we plan a more extensive edition of the event – in addition to the conference, there will be two-day cruises on the Oder River with young leaders, local activists, and experts. This will be a chance for idea exchange in a more intimate setting and to gather inspiration for further actions. These meetings will form the foundation for an even more engaging conference in 2026, with the conclusions presented in a publication and webinar. All to create a space for collaboration and exchange of experiences in the spirit of openness and neighborly solidarity.

The Festival “Przepływy”

The Festival “Przepływy” is a three-day event that serves as a culmination of activities at the International Meeting House throughout the year. It will take place in the port area of Cigacice, where an open-air cinema will be set up. The festival’s program includes screenings of documentary and reportage films created during international workshops, followed by discussions with their creators and invited guests. For those who cannot attend in person, online transmissions and interactive panels are planned. The festival also provides an opportunity to explore the dialogue between tradition and modernity—it runs concurrently with Winobranie in Zielona Góra, blending into local traditions.

The following year, the festival will be enriched with a research station, a cultural landscape lab where participants can edit films and photographs, adding their own individual commentary. The event is aimed at local residents, NGOs, and partners from EEA countries, promoting intercultural exchange and collaboration.

Meetings and exchanges

In our first year of activity, we invite you to unique 7-day international gatherings for small groups (6–12 participants). Participants will take part in media workshops, field activities, and cultural cruises on the Odra River aboard the “Ship of Culture,” collecting materials for reports, exploring riverside towns, and integrating through film screenings and shared music sessions. At the end of the meetings, participants will present ready audiovisual projects in Cigacice. In 2025, one such cycle will take place, and in 2026 – three!

In autumn and winter, the format of these gatherings will have a more stationary character, with a rich program of workshops and integration activities. Depending on group needs, we are flexible – we organize both full week-long workshops and shorter events focused on cruises or land-based activities. This way, throughout the year, we create a space for exchanging experiences and collaborative work.

Study Visits

The first year of the International Meeting House’s course activities will bring new experiences and challenges. It will be a time for the initial evaluations of our activities, assessing their effectiveness and efficiency. We want to share our impressions and feelings with more experienced organizations working in the field of intercultural exchange. At the same time, we see study visits as an opportunity to gain new experiences and insights, helping us develop MDS according to the best practices.