The conference “Young Leaders of the Borderland”

From October 11-12 2025, we invite you to an extraordinary event – the conference “Young Leaders of the Borderland”.

This meeting brings together young leaders, representatives of youth organizations, local governments, and experts from Poland and Germany, dedicated to strengthening cooperation and social skills in borderland areas.

About the Conference

The event will serve as a platform for establishing new partnerships and initiatives that will shape the future of cross-border cooperation.

We invite you to the picturesque setting of Port Cigacice and the Łęg Odrzański area.

Event Schedule 2025

Saturday, October 11, 2025

• 2:00 PM – Welcome and dinner
• 3:00 PM – Lecture by Prof. Maciej Błaszak
• 5:00 PM – Moderated discussion with experts from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Host: Szymon Mizera
• 7:00 PM – Dinner
• 8:00 PM – Film screening of “Dead Man in a Hat” by Tobias Lenel
• 10:00 PM – Audiovisual concert at Isherwood/Chojnacka Street

Sunday, October 12, 2025

• 10:00 AM – Breakfast
• 11:00 AM – Walk, visit to the Nasze Wolne Życie Foundation, lunch
• approx. 4:00 PM – Return to Cigacice and end of the meeting

Plans for 2026

• Continuation and Development of the Format
  The second edition of the “Young Leaders of the Borderlands” conference will take place in the second half of June 2026. As part of this edition, we plan to expand the format:Workshops on Water
  In spring 2026, participants will be invited on two cultural cruises along the Oder River aboard the “Ship of Culture.” Each cruise will last two days and will include:
  • Small working group sessions (6–12 participants), comprising young leaders, representatives of local communities, and academic circles.
  • Workshops conducted by experts from the University of Zielona Góra, the Institute of Western Studies in Poznań, and the University of Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder).

Impact of the Working Meetings
The outcomes of the cruises will directly shape the themes and program of the second edition of the conference. These findings will be published in a post-conference report and made available through a one-day webinar.

New Partnerships
The partnerships formed during the meetings will lay the groundwork for future editions of the event, organized in collaboration with academic institutions in Zielona Góra, Poznań, Wrocław, and Frankfurt (Oder).

The “Young Leaders of the Borderlands” Conference is an event focused on cooperation, dialogue, and building the future of cross-border regions.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join this inspiring gathering in April 2025 and in the upcoming editions in 2026.

NEWS