© Aneta SzczesniewiczIn a twin city divided by a border, Border Experiences builds democratic awareness through shared education, dialogue, and cross-cultural exchange.
DEMOCRACY AT THE BORDER
Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice sit on opposite sides of a border, but share a history, a community, and now a common programme. The Frankfurt-Słubice Cooperation Centre brought together over 1,200 people across 40 events in 17 locations, mixing expert discussions on disinformation and the rule of law, school workshops on memory and history, cultural activities, and cross-border tours. At a time of growing societal tensions and rising threats to democratic values, the project created a genuine shared space for dialogue across languages, generations, and perspectives.
POLITICS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
What makes Border Experiences stand out is how it brings political topics into daily life. Discussions held in shopping centres, a table football tournament tied to a historical exhibition, cross-border guided tours, school workshops on memory and history: these formats make democratic education accessible and genuinely engaging. Young people are not just participants but active co-creators, helping shape and lead parts of the programme. German and Polish voices are woven together throughout, making this a truly integrated experience rather than two parallel programmes running side by side.
A BLUEPRINT FOR BORDER REGIONS
With 1,200+ participants and 40 events, the project significantly raised the visibility of political education in the region. By consistently bringing German and Polish perspectives together, it deepened cross-border understanding and built social cohesion in a community where different histories and viewpoints meet daily. More than an event series, Border Experiences shows what democratic participation can look like in practice, grounded in real exchange, critical thinking, and a shared sense of European community.
