Youth and youth worker exchanges with the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) has been an important partner for youth and youth worker exchanges for many years.

Before the decline in international exchange activities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK's exit from the EU, the statistics on bilateral youth exchanges between Germany and the UK were among the top 10 partner countries with the highest volume of exchanges.

The 2023 study conducted by IJAB on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office (AA) on the ‘Encouraging UK-German Youth Exchanges’ confirms this: Strengthening cooperation between Germany and the UK in the context of bilateral youth work is favoured and demanded by youth work professionals and young people on both sides. The organisations, youth workers and young people surveyed agree that UK-German exchange activities can contribute to mutual understanding, but also to addressing common issues such as inclusion, citizenship education, youth participation and social cohesion. Especially in the light of the current global challenges our society and young people in particular are currently facing, it is important to strengthen cohesion and exchange between all countries in Europe.

There is no denying that the realities of young people's lives differ in both countries. Nevertheless, they are essentially united by the same aspirations: Participation and self-determination. Peace and security. Prospects and a future.

Exchanges between young people and youth workers from Germany and the UK are to be expanded and improved. This is the joint goal of the German and UK governments, which IJAB actively supports. Since 2024, IJAB has been advising and supporting German organisations and applicants in the planning and implementation of non-formal exchange projects with the UK.

Activities 2024

The aim of our 2024 activities was to increase cooperation between youth work organisations in both countries: With the UK-German Youth Partnership Seminar in autumn 2024 and other accompanying activities, IJAB offered a platform to develop concrete ideas for youth and youth worker exchanges, build partnerships and establish lasting cooperation between colleagues from Germany and the UK.

The UK country information will soon be published in our online reader. The country information is intended to make it a little easier for German professionals to get involved in youth exchanges with the UK. IJAB Information on Countries documents provide an insight into the structures of child and youth welfare and how young people grow up in IJAB partner countries.

What is planned for 2025? 

In the coming year, there will be a series of information events aimed, among other things, at deepening the networking and qualification of German professionals in the context of German-British exchange programmes. Targeted, individualised services will be provided to advise and support German organisations in areas such as identifying partners, establishing cooperation, developing and implementing projects and searching for and applying for funding.