Czech-German Young Professionals Program - CGYPP

The conclusion of our third CGYPP 2025 🇨🇿🇩🇪 seminar in Cheb region, themed “Empowering Democracy: Czech and German Answers,” was marked by deep analysis and an active search for paths forward!

First, we addressed a topic that resonates throughout the country: Russian influence in Czechia. Thanks to a great debate and a walk through the center of Karlovy Vary with Jiří Hynek, journalist from Odkryto, we uncovered the phenomenon named in the programme “The Russian Klondike in Karlovy Vary.”🕵️‍♀️

In the next part, our participants transformed into architects of change! During an internal workshop, we focused on generating concrete solutions for how to empower democratic life in remote regions. Many excellent and innovative ideas have emerged! 💡
We concluded the seminar with feedback and a wrap-up session, during which we explained the next steps within CGYPP, welcoming 15 new talented Czechs and Germans to the alumni community, which now has over 200 members!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to such an inspiring year! We look forward to the next gathering! 👋

Program is initiated and financed by Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds . Seminar in Cheb was organised in cooperation with Hanns Seidel Stiftung v České republice

Last week, the third CGYPP 2025 seminar took place. This time, as part of the theme of the year “Empowering Democracy: Czech and German Answers”, we visited Cheb, Karlovy Vary, Plesná, and Bad Brambach. On Thursday afternoon, thanks to Dominik Jandl, the participants got to know the region, its history, and current challenges, not only through discussion but also through a walk around the center. On Friday, we set off for nearby Plesná, where we met with Mayor Petr Schaller and discussed how the municipality is coping with the closure of textile factories and the history of Czech-German coexistence. After a walk to Bad Brambach, there was a screening of the film Change my Mind and a discussion with Adam Sybera and Bob Kartous, who participated in its creation.

🇨🇿🇩🇪 Program is initiated and financed by Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds . Seminar in Cheb was organised in cooperation with Hanns Seidel Stiftung v České republice.

🇨🇿🇩🇪Yesterday, CGYPP participants and alumni had the unique opportunity to meet with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský - ministr zahraničí ČR and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the Czernin Palace – the seat of the Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí České republiky – in Prague.
💡The discussion focused on how German and Czech diplomacy can jointly strengthen democracy and the rule of law, especially in the face of the war in Ukraine, disinformation, and growing authoritarianism.
A meaningful exchange reminding us of the importance of cooperation and engagement in shaping Europe’s future.🌍
🤝🏻Program is initiated and funded by the Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds.
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Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky/Association for International Affairs Europäische Akademie Berlin

📍The second seminar of CGYPP 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ began in Berlin, where we spent several days delving into topics such as democracy, history, civic education, and the societal impact of technology.

💡The programme of the first two days combined expert inputs, collaborative group work, and open discussions that fostered critical thinking and meaningful exchange. 🏢 A visit to the Berlin House of Representatives offered further insights into how democratic institutions function at the local level.

Program is initiated and funded by the Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds🤝🏻



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Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky/Association for International Affairs Europäische Akademie Berlin

✨The second part of our opening seminar took us deeper into the 🇨🇿-🇩🇪 context. We discussed the “Year of Change” 🗳️ and how elections in both countries might impact mutual relations with Zuzana Zavadilová (AMO).

We also experienced a powerful empowerment self-defense session🙅‍♀️, visited Ústí nad Labem to explore places of memory and the exhibition “Our Germans – Unsere Deutschen”, where we discussed the topic with our alumna Veronika Kupková💬

We’re already looking forward to seeing each other again in June in Berlin for the next seminar of this year’s CGYPP!🤩

🤝🏻Program is initiated and financed by Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds. Seminar in Prague in cooperation with Hanns Seidel Stiftung v České republice.

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Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky/Association for International Affairs Europäische Akademie Berlin

🇨🇿🇩🇪 Last week, we kicked off the 16th edition of CGYPP with our opening seminar in Prague!🤩
14 participants from the Czech Republic and Germany came together to launch this year’s program under the theme Empowering Democracy: Czech and German Answers.

💬In the first two days, we discussed participants’ expectations, explored global challenges to democracy with Irena Kalhousová, talked about the role of civic engagement with film director Amálie Kovářová, and delved into protecting democracy from disinformation and polarization with Bob Kartous. Looking forward to a year of dialogue, exchange, and exploring how we can strengthen democracy together.✨

Program is initiated and financed by Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds. Seminar in Prague in cooperation with Hanns Seidel Stiftung v České republice.🤝🏻

🌍CGYPP 2025 – Apply now! 🇨🇿🇩🇪

How can we strengthen democracy in times of populism, disinformation, and authoritarian threats? Join the Czech-German Young Professionals Program!🙌🏻

This year’s topic⏩️Empowering Democracy: Czech and German Answers

⏰ Deadline: March 10, 2025
🔗Find out more on our website👉 https://www.amo.cz/en/czech-german-young-professionals-program/join-the-cgypp-injoin-the-cgypp

The program is iniciated and financed by Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds.🤝

Are you interested in society, politics, economics, or media? Do you want to connect with young professionals from the Czech Republic and Germany and discuss today’s key challenges? 🌍 Apply for the 16th edition of CGYPP!

✨ This year’s topic: Empowering Democracy: Czech and German Answers
How can the Czech Republic and Germany strengthen democracy together in the face of growing challenges such as populism, disinformation, and threats from authoritarian regimes? Join us and be part of the discussion!

🔹 What to expect?
📍 Three seminars in Prague, Berlin, and Cheb
📍 Discussions with experts on (not only) current issues
📍 Workshops focused on professional development
📍 A unique alumni network
📍 The working language is English

📅 Application deadline: March 2, 2025
📩 Find more information and apply here: www.cgypp.eu/join-us
Be part of a program that connects, inspires, and broadens perspectives! 🌟

🇨🇿🇩🇪More than 40 alumni across all years gathered for a weekend reunion in Hejnice in the Jizera Mountains.❄️

📌The program offered a rich variety of activities, including wrap-up presentation from 2024 participants, discussing ideas for the next project year, and planning the upcoming volunteering weekend.

🛡️Participants also took part in an engaging self-defense session led by alumna Linda Štucbartová and explored the beautiful surroundings through hiking and cross-country skiing adventures.🏔️

A big thank you to all who joined and to the Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds for iniciating and funding this program.🤝🏻
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Europäische Akademie Berlin Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky/Association for International Affairs

We wish you a happy and joyful Christmas holidays full of peace, love and time spent with your loved ones.🎄 May 2025✨ be full of happiness, health and success on all fronts!

We look forward to another Czech-German year together!🥳

Last weekend the Annual Conference of the Czech-German Discussion Forum was held in Potsdam🇩🇪 and CGYPP was there.🤩

On both days, 16 alumni across the years participated in various roles. They acted as panelists, moderators or participated in the journalism awards.🎤

Special thanks to Česko-německý fond budoucnosti/ Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds, Europäische Akademie Berlin and Forum 2000 for the great organization of this wonderful event and for the space for Czech-German dialogue👏🏻