THE SCHWARZKOPF FOUNDATION We support the development of young people into politically aware and responsible citizens by using peer-to-peer education and non-formal learning. By working with young persons, we strengthen civil society and commit to the reinforcement of the European project. In addition we foster intercultural learning and aim at combatting racism, right-wing extremism and antiSemitism.
THE FOUNDATION Headquarter
Employees
Annual budget
Berlin
THE NETWORK Target group
Between
19
Countries
40
2Mio+
Participants
53.000+
16 and 28 years Countries
young people
on a yearly basis
Programmes
4
Events
1.000+
on a yearly basis
OUR HISTORY AND VISION Our history When the Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe was founded by Pauline Schwarzkopf in 1971 in order to spread the idea of European unity and peace among young people, six European countries constituted the erstwhile European Economic Community, and the European continent was divided into East and West. Back then the Schwarzkopf Foundation started providing an educational programme with a handful of political seminars and study trips, also across the borders of the Cold War. Ever since and particularly over the past 10 years, the foundation has experienced contextual, staffing, organisational and financial growth and has carried its work beyond the borders of the 28 EU member states to all together 40 European countries.
Our vision Our vision is an open, solidary and democratic Europe and a tolerant, open and pluralistic European civic society. We strive to empower young people to be active European citizens who contribute to a more open, inclusive and democratic society and who promote mutual understanding, solidarity and peaceful collabration in Europe and beyond.
1971
Establishment of the foundation in Hamburg
1997
First Young European of the Year Award
2004
EYP becomes a project for the foundation
2009
First EU Crash Courses in Berlin
2014
First asylum courses conducted at schools
2016
53.000+
For the first time the foundation reached young Europeans
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Anne Rolvering (36) has directed the business of the Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe since January 2013. She is a legal expert with a background in arts and media administration who previously worked at the Stiftung Mercator as deputy director of the competence centre for international understanding. “It has been exciting to steer the Schwarzkopf Foundation‘s growth process in the past years and to witness how the organisation is developing. Together with our partners we work on providing a platform for non-formal civic education and creating an environment for exchange, learning, and personal development for young Europeans. For 2017 I wish to continue the foundation’s work on empowering young people, regardless of their background, to participate in our European society.”
OUR PROGRAMME LINES
Lukas Fendel, Programme Manager European Youth Parliament
Lena Prötzel, Programme Manager Seminars
Tobias Frietzsche, Programme Manager Events
Anna Saraste, Programme Manager Awards and Travel Grants
The main strength of the European Youth Parliament (EYP) are the new ideas and initiatives of the youth organisation and volunteers involved. For the 35.000 participants the events don‘t mean just volunteering, but growing as a person. As a unique educational programme, the EYP is raising awareness of European issues and promotes intercultural understanding and an intercultural dialogue. The events are made by young people, for young people. 3.000 volunteers run the 40 member organisations, do fundraising and organise 600 events on a yearly basis.
In 2016, the Schwarzkopf Foundation’s seminar programme reached more than 10,500 young Europeans with its peer trainers. The aim of the EU Crash Courses is to provide a basic understanding of European politics and strengthen the political participation of young people in Europe. The courses are vailable in 14 European countries. The seminars on asylum provides multiple perspectives on forced displacement and European and international refugee law. In three parallel workshops, the pupils work with material that leads them through the steps of an asylum application.
In our yearly 70 discussion events, we are connecting young people with key personalities from politics, economics, culture and civil society. Through the discussions with policy makers and young Europeans, the Schwarzkopf Foundation offers the opportunity to talk about topics beyond daily politics and address the fundamental values that shape the future of Europe. In 2016 we organised events with personalities like Wolfgang Schäuble, Anton Hofreiter and Jean-Claud Juncker which were visited by 9.000 pupils and students from the wider Berlin area.
Our travel grants are designed to give young people the opportunity to travel and explore other European countries. With the Young European of the Year award, the Schwarzkopf Foundation honors a young European who has distinguished themselves through extraordinary voluntary commitment and dedication to international understanding. Through the Schwarzkopf Europe Award, the foundation honours a European person or institution of significance for a contribution to a current and future Europe which young Europeans hope for.
PRESS RESOURCES Visit our website for the latest events and insights into the projects: www.schwarzkopf-stiftung.de
Questions? Please get in touch with us: m.buschina@schwarzkopf-stiftung.de +49 (0) 30 280 95 146
twitter.com/schwarzkopfstfg facebook.com/schwarzkopf.stiftung
Copyright © Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa 2017