Civil Match Forum is a four days online event for human-centered encounter of like-minded colleagues, deep discussions on international cooperation in (post)pandemic times and collaboration work on own project idea. The forum will be finished by a project pitch, the three best project ideas will be awarded with 3.000 EUR each. 

What is this “new normal” on the field of international cooperation within  civil society during and after pandemic? How will the first global quarantine and (temporary) closed borders impact the way we collaborate for collective cross-border impact?  

We are living in interconnected times. We strongly feel the influence of events happening on the other part of the world. This interdependence can be perceived as something negative – viruses and quarantines, snowless winters and climate change, migration crises and protests going cross-border.

At the same time this interdependence opens up the whole new world connecting us both online and making international contacts even more accessible as before. And although this fast and forced digital shift has not been easy, it is still a great chance for international cooperation to become an inclusive space and powerful tool. Together online we can create a positive impact on the local level through exchanging perspectives, synchronizing global discourses, circulating social innovations and ideas how to respond to current challenges.   

With this belief into power of cooperation being able to take place in different formats Civil Match has been created for civil society players from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, France, Georgia, Germany, Moldova, Poland, Russia and Ukraine. 

First step was our Civil Match in July where more than 600 civil society actors matched and found partners. 

The next step is the Civil Match Forum in September (21^st-24^th ) which will be an online space for co-creation of general solutions for international cooperation and elaboration of concrete project ideas. This space is designed to prepare you for your application to the Civil Society Cooperation Program by the German Federal Foreign Office.  

Who can apply  

Representatives of civil society organizations from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, France, Georgia, Germany, Moldova, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, who:  

·        are searching for a platform to work on a project idea for international cooperation and pitch it; 

·        are eager to extend their international partners network and looking for value-based and human-centered online encounter; 

·        are open to share their visions on international cooperation in (post)pandemic times and valuing spaces for co-creation; 

·        are fluent in English and having both time availability and openness to enhance their digital skills. 

Participants will be selected based on motivation. We are searching for participants with proved interest and capacity for international cooperation. That means, that the participants are expected to already have either a concrete project idea for international cooperation or a concrete partnership (both would be also possible).  

Working language is English. Participation in the forum will require appr. 4 hours of online participation daily. 

The forum is the first of all an open space for co-creation and discussion. We believe in your experience and expertise to share instead of inviting external input givers. It is also designed as a preparation space for applications for the Civil Society Cooperation Program by the Federal Foreign Office, so please take a close look at the program before applying.  

Participation is free for  all participants selected on the basis of application. 

How to apply 

Please fill in the form via this link until 23^rd of August. All applicants will receive answers not later than 10^th September. If you have any questions, please contact us via email in…@civil-match.online.  

Civil Match is a program initiated by Goethe-Institut Ukraine. It is a cooperation project among Goethe-Institute, Insha Osvita, Wechange, EENCE – Eastern European Network for Citizenship Education, and Digitizing Space. It is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.  

Join our event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/594272207927068/  and follow our activities on Civil Match https://www.facebook.com/civilmatch/