This autumn marks the launch of a new chapter for YMCA Europe’s flagship Peace Work Institute (PWI). After a highly competitive application process, 21 inspiring youth leaders from across 11 countries — including Albania, Armenia, England, Georgia, Ireland, Malta, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA — have been selected to join the 2025 PWI journey. The sessions of this series will take place in Dresden, Germany and Tbilisi, Georgia.
Earlier this month, YMCA Europe Executive Secretary Vardan Hambardzumyan visited Dresden for on-site planning ahead of the inaugural session. Thanks to our partner, the Frauenkirche Foundation, an inspiring and historic venue has been secured: the Hofgärtnerhaus, a beautifully restored baroque hotel located in the heart of Dresden’s Old Town. Many of the sessions will also take place inside the world-famous Frauenkirche, just steps away.
To prepare the ground, a Backstopping Workshop was held in Novi Sad, Serbia, in mid-September. This gathering brought together experienced alumni from previous PWI cycles — the Roots Expert Pool — to help guide the new series and support this year’s participants as mentors.
The preparatory team for the upcoming Dresden session brings together a rich mix of experience and enthusiasm. It includes YMCA Europe’s Roots staff — Iri, Rezi, and Vardan — joined by Lika Zakaryan from Armenia and Wolfgang Heinrich from Germany. From the hosting side, Andreas Dieterich (Frauenkirche Foundation) and Gerhard Wiebe (YMCA Germany) are playing key roles in bringing this vision to life.
Regular online meetings are already underway, ensuring the programme is dynamic, well-structured, and meaningful for all involved.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who applied to be part of the Peace Work Institute. And special thanks to our partners at the Frauenkirche Foundation for co-hosting and co-funding this important initiative, and to YMCA Germany for their generous logistical support. We can’t wait to welcome the new cohort and begin this transformative journey together.
