The Internationaler Bund (IB) celebrated the end of the "European Year of Youth" together with patron Katarina Barley in Berlin. The independent carrier of youth, social and educational work has accompanied the EU campaign in the past twelve months with many actions and publications.
These included meetings between young people from different countries as well as video blogs, social media campaigns and more. In a conversation with IB President Petra Merkel, Katarina Barley drew a positive conclusion of the campaign: "I am very pleased with the results of the IB's campaign and hope that we can continue to discuss the topics of Europe, democracy, peace and freedom together for and with young people in the future. I stand ready to continue supporting the IB in this," said the Vice President of the European Parliament.
Foundation Schwarz Rot Bunt will support projects on the topic of Europe
The conclusion of one campaign is the prelude to the next: the European Year 2023 of the IB's foundation Schwarz-Rot-Bunt (Black-Red-Colorful Foundation), which is dedicated to promoting democracy and diversity, is themed "My Europe - interfere, contribute, live together - future visions for a solidary, colorful Europe."
Katarina Barley has already pledged her renewed support for the IB: "I will also support the projects of the Foundation Schwarz-Rot-Bunt 2023 and attend the award ceremony at the end of the year." At that time, it will be announced which projects on the theme of "Europe" the foundation will support financially. The call for applications is on its way. Applications can be submitted until 15 March 2023.
"We hope to reach many young people to discuss their ideas of a common, solidary Europe. European integration, international understanding and international cooperation have been goals of the IB since its founding in 1949 and they are just as important as they were almost 75 years ago," said IB President Petra Merkel.
About the IB:
With more than 14,000 employees, the IB is one of the major service providers in youth, social and educational work in Europe. It supports children, young people, adults and senior citizens in leading a self-responsible life - regardless of their origin, religion or ideology. Its guiding principle "Strengthening humanity" is a source of motivation and orientation for its employees.
