From 15 to 18 February 2026, the Annual International Partner Meeting of the Europäische Jugendbildungsstätte Magdeburg (EJBM) took place in Magdeburg. The multi-day professional meeting brought together international partner organisations of the EJBM from numerous European countries. Representatives of the City of Magdeburg were also present, alongside representatives of Magdeburg’s international partner cities – Radom (Poland) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – as well as education professionals from a school in the French partner city of Le Havre.
The Partner Meeting was organised by the EJBM in partnership with EUROPE DIRECT Halle and the specialist advisory service GOEUROPE!, bringing together international youth work, European education programmes and municipal perspectives within a shared professional framework.
The joint welcome evening already provided space for professional exchange, reconnecting and strategic networking. In an open and work-oriented atmosphere, it became clear what characterises this meeting: long-standing, trust-based cooperation, a shared understanding of quality, and the ambition to further develop international youth work in an evidence-based, inclusive and impact-oriented way.
Professional review and systematic quality development
The content of the following days was clearly professionally focused. Alongside a structured reflection on the activities of 2025, particular emphasis was placed on quality management, role clarification, partnership-based project governance and capacity building. In moderated working phases, thematic workshops and networking formats, participants:
- systematically evaluated international youth exchanges and training courses and reflected on them as best-practice examples,
- explored key quality dimensions of non-formal education, including inclusion and diversity, safety and risk management, quality preparation, visibility and dissemination of results, as well as transparency in partner structures,
- further developed competence profiles and minimum requirements for group leaders, particularly with regard to educational responsibility, intercultural sensitivity and crisis prevention,
- defined shared standards for fair partnerships, clear responsibilities and reliable communication processes.
The professional exchange benefited in particular from the diversity of actors involved from youth work, schools, municipal administration and European education, enabling a practice-oriented transfer of knowledge between different fields of work.
Strategic planning of international education activities for 2026
Another key focus of the Partner Meeting was the strategic planning of international activities for the 2026 season. In thematically structured working groups, several international youth exchanges, training courses for professionals and exchange formats within the framework of Erasmus+ and other European programmes were prepared in concrete terms.
Together, target groups, learning objectives, methodological approaches, preparation processes and quality standards were discussed. The strong commitment of the partner organisations underlined the role of the EJBM as a central coordination, quality assurance and interface organisation for international education projects in Saxony-Anhalt. In addition, new project ideas – also with a view to longer-term strategic partnerships – were initiated and initial working groups established.
Concrete impact for Saxony-Anhalt and Magdeburg
The Annual Partner Meeting 2026 once again highlighted the tangible added value of international education and networking activities for Saxony-Anhalt and Magdeburg. Through the EJBM’s Europe-wide cooperation, educational opportunities are created that specifically contribute to improving the employability of young people and professionals.
International youth exchanges, training activities and our other education formats additionally promote:
- language skills, particularly in foreign languages and subject-specific communication,
- social and intercultural competences such as teamwork, conflict resolution, empathy and intercultural confidence,
- self-organisation, personal responsibility and career orientation,
- as well as democratic competences and active civic participation.
These competences are of central importance for the regional labour market – especially in the context of demographic change and increasing demand for skilled workers. At the same time, international cooperation strengthens Magdeburg’s visibility as an open and internationally oriented centre for education and European cooperation, and deepens collaboration with European partner cities, schools and specialist institutions.
The outcomes of the meeting feed both into the EJBM’s non-formal education programmes and into cooperation with schools and vocational education institutions, including within the framework of the Erasmus+ mobility consortium.
Conclusion and outlook
After intensive professional working days, the Partner Meeting concluded with a joint evening in Magdeburg city centre. In an informal setting, discussions were continued, new cooperation ideas initiated and the results of the previous days reflected upon.
We would like to thank all participating partner organisations, representatives of the City of Magdeburg, the partner cities and the involved professionals for their expertise, constructive contributions and trust. With sharpened quality standards, concrete project planning and strengthened partnerships, we look ahead with confidence to our joint work in 2026 and beyond.
