Call for participants: Tell your Story – an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange on Climate Change and Storytelling
18 to 31 October 2026, Berlin
You care about the climate. Maybe you know these moments too.
The summer that was too hot to sleep. The argument about taking the train instead of the car. The talk about eating less meat that turned into a fight instead of a real conversation. You know it matters, but somehow the words do not get through to the people you care about.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. The problem is usually not that we care too little. It is that talking about climate change is just hard. And that is exactly where our project begins.
Tell your Story is a 14 day international youth exchange in Berlin for young people from Germany, France and Türkiye. Together we will look at climate change in a way that connects to everyday life, and we will learn how to talk about it so that people actually listen. Not with more pressure or better arguments, but with real stories that reach the heart. The project is funded by the EU Erasmus+ programme.
Over two weeks, we will explore what climate change really means for our daily lives, from food and mobility to energy and the things we buy. We will look at where the big debates get stuck, and why. And then we will get creative. In storytelling workshops you will work with your voice and body, with photos, video and audio, and you will build your own climate story together with an international group. At the end, we will share what we created at a public closing event in Berlin.
You do not need any experience with activism, media or storytelling. What matters is that you are curious, open, and ready to turn your worry into something you can share.
Because your story matters. And once you learn how to tell it, it can move others too.
- explore the causes and effects of climate change and connect them to everyday life
- reflect on climate justice and the different ways we can act more sustainably
- develop your storytelling and creative communication skills
- strengthen your confidence, teamwork and intercultural exchange
With Tell your Story, we want to help you understand climate change better and feel more confident talking about it. Together we will:
The goal is not just to learn more about climate change, but also to find creative ways to share your ideas and inspire others.
We are looking for participants between 18 and 26 years old who live in Germany and are curious, open-minded and ready for group work and intercultural exchange. A basic understanding of English is enough, since it will be our working language during the exchange.
We warmly encourage applications from young people with disabilities or those who face barriers to taking part. Your experiences and your perspective are valuable, and we will do our best to create an inclusive space that works for you. Just let us know what you need.
Accommodation, meals and all programme activities are fully covered by the Erasmus+ programme.
Participants will stay in shared rooms at the CVJM Jugendgästehaus Kaulsdorf in the east of Berlin. The house also has a seminar room and shared spaces for workshops, reflection and time together. All meals will be vegetarian or vegan.
If you have any allergies, dietary needs or questions about accessibility, you can tell us in the application form.
All costs for accommodation, travel and the programme are fully covered through the Erasmus+ funding.
Travel costs are reimbursed after the exchange, based on the EU distance rules. For participants travelling within Germany, the travel budget follows the approved Erasmus+ amount for short distances.
If travel costs are a barrier for you in any way, please reach out to us. We will find a solution together.
As an environmental organisation, green travel matters to us. For journeys within Germany, we ask you to travel by train or bus instead of flying whenever possible. It is better for the climate, it often lets you see more along the way, and it fits what this project is all about. If you are not sure how to plan your route, just get in touch, we are happy to help you find a good connection.
Taking part means being there for the whole programme, from arrival on 18 October to departure on 31 October. Everyone helps with small shared tasks like cooking and cleaning, and we all work together on our creative projects. We will reflect as a group along the way, and at the end you will receive a Youthpass certificate that recognises what you learned.
There will also be one joint online preparation meeting on 21 September 2026, so we can get to know each other before Berlin.
Health insurance (EHIC or private) is required. We also recommend travel and liability insurance, since personal belongings are not covered.
You can find all the information above about our youth exchange „Tell your Story“ also in our infopack, which you can download here. There you can also find some additional information about the project, requirements to participate, health and safety as well as the programme. You should read it in case you might have questions.
Please apply by 17 September 2026 using the following form. We cannot wait to meet you in Berlin!
Do you have any questions?
You can reach me by phone between 10am and 4pm. Otherwise I will get back to you as soon as I can.
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