My City,
My Safe
Space
#Fostering social cohesion
Key Objectives
01
Fostering Interfaith Dialogue
We bring together local and international youths through a series of facilitated dialogues on career orientation, intercultural awareness, interfaith understanding, and confronting hate speech. These conversations allow participants to explore their diverse perspectives, promote empathy, and challenge misconceptions.
02
Building the Allyship Network
Our Allyship Network bridges the gap between the local host community and international youth, creating a platform for ongoing engagement and support. By fostering relationships between these groups, we aim to empower youths to advocate for inclusion and promote unity within the community.
03
Celebrating Cultural Diversity
My City, My Safe Space culminates in an intercultural festival where participants celebrate the richness of their diverse backgrounds. The festival provides a platform to showcase traditions, art, music, and food from around the world, promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
Why This Project Matters
My City, My Safe Space is more than just a series of events—it’s a movement that seeks to transform how communities approach diversity and inclusion. In a time of increased global migration and cultural shifts, this project emphasizes the importance of building safe spaces where all individuals, regardless of background, can feel valued and understood. By empowering youth and fostering connections, we are laying the foundation for a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Project Activities
Because connecting means creating a safe Home.
Project Launch
The My City, My Safe Space project officially began with a vibrant and engaging Project Launch event on October 12th, 2024, at Eleganz Bildungsplattform in Osnabrück. The launch served as an opportunity to introduce the program’s goals and activities, fostering excitement and a sense of community among participants. Attendees were welcomed with an overview of the project, emphasizing its mission to promote social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and inclusion.
The event encouraged participants to meet fellow community members, learn about the upcoming activities, and engage in initial conversations that set the tone for meaningful collaboration. The evening concluded with a shared warm meal, creating an informal space for participants to connect, exchange stories, and build relationships—a key step toward fostering a stronger, more inclusive local community.
Allyship
Key highlights of this activity included an interactive dance session led by professional dance instructor Elena Radionova, which encouraged participants to connect through creativity and shared experiences. Additionally, participants engaged in intercultural training and discussions, where they explored strategies to build bridges across diverse backgrounds and strengthen allyship within their communities.
Interfaith Dialogue
The interfaith dialogue gave participants a unique opportunity to engage in open, respectful conversations around faith, culture, and shared values. Facilitated by Ayse Nur Parlak, an Islamic Studies expert, Imam in the Tawba Mosque in Osnabrück, and psychosocial counsellor & Emina Frljak, Program Coordinator at Youth for Peace, the session emphasized the importance of understanding and mutual respect across different beliefs.
Intercultural Festival
The intercultural festival co-organised with the organisation r0g_agency in Berlin occurred under the headline Navigating Social Spaces: A Quest for Belonging. The event successfully brought together local and international young people in a warm, welcoming environment that transcended cultural boundaries. The genuine joy and connection shared during these interactions served as compelling evidence that when given the right environment, meaningful cross-cultural relationships can flourish naturally through an interactive panel discussion that brought together diverse voices from Osnabrück’s academics, such as Dr Stefan Serwe and community landscape, such as Esther Nachiwara and Jaco Herbst, sparking a profound dialogue about belonging and social spaces.
Career Workshop
The Career Workshop featured Fareen Shaikh, a career coach and consultant from Hertie School. The session provided participants with practical insights on career development, including crafting strong CVs, building professional profiles, and interviewing strategies. Through interactive discussions, attendees gained clarity on career pathways, built confidence, and explored tools to advance their professional goals. The event concluded with networking opportunities, fostering connections and professional relationships.
Project Evaluation
Baseline Survey
Participants overall impression
No Data Found
Endline Survey
Participants overall impression
No Data Found
Feedback Survey
Participants overall expectations