Dialogue for Understanding e.V.

Last week, we held the second expert meeting within our project “She Can III – Women for UA Democratic and European Path”.

Together with our Ukrainian experts and partners, we worked on the structure of the upcoming Berlin training, discussed the methodological logic of the programme, and prepared the next steps for working with participants. The meeting helped us to further sharpen the training concept and connect youth participation, women’s leadership, EU integration, project development, fundraising, and local democratic engagement into one coherent learning process.

At its core, She Can III is about strengthening women and young people as active actors of democratic change in their communities. The project creates space for leadership development, mentoring, Participation Labs, and local initiatives that enable participants to move from ideas to concrete civic action.

In the current Ukrainian context, this work is closely linked to questions of recovery, resilience, and European integration. Supporting inclusive local governance and meaningful civic participation is not only important for today’s communities, but also for Ukraine’s democratic future.

The project is implemented by Dialogue for Understanding e.V. in cooperation with 3.5 відсотків, Обʼєднання «Агенція розвитку освітньої політики, with the financial support from Auswärtiges Amt and Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend.

SheCan #ВонаМоже

🌍 Countering Polarization: Apply Now for "The Great Divide" Summer Courses! 🌍

Are you looking for a space to discuss democracy, human rights, and political philosophy across borders? We are excited to announce the upcoming phase of our project "The Great Divide: Civic Education in Exile"! This program opens up critical spaces for dialogue in times when they are needed, this program opens up critical spaces for dialogue in times when they are needed the most. 📚✨

Starting June 17, we are launching four incredible, completely free online courses led by renowned experts. Participants will dive deep into war and peace, political philosophy, and strategies for dealing with authoritarianism. Plus, the program includes a unique Summer School in Armenia from August 27 to September 3!

Here is a glimpse of the upcoming courses you can join:
• "The End of War" with philosopher Arseniy Kumankov – analyzing how armed conflicts end politically and socially.
• "How to Talk to People with Opposing Views?" with historian Ilya Venyavkin – practical tools for dialogue in polarized times.
• "Texts of a New Time" with journalist Boris Grozovsky – a book club exploring authoritarianism and how to resist it.
• "Conflict of Interpretation" with philosopher Sven Gerst – exploring core dilemmas of freedom, justice, and power (held in English).

Applications are open until June 10! Don't miss this opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect. Check out on our website the details (in German): https://dialogue4u.org/veroeffentlichung/the-great-divide-startet-in-den-sommer/

Do you know someone who would benefit from these free educational courses? Tag them in the comments below to share this opportunity! 💬👇

This project is realized thanks to the contribution of the Auswärtiges Amt.

🌍 Moving past individual blame: Why Europe’s real challenge is the lack of a unified Russia strategy.

Our Executive Manager weighs in on the current state of European security. The focus shouldn't just be on individual political figures, but on building a coherent, long-term strategic framework for the EU to address pressing geopolitical challenges and safeguard regional stability. 🤝

🔗 Link to the full statement on our website in German.

Stellungnahme: Nicht Schröder ist das Problem. Europa braucht nicht nur jemanden, der mit Russland spricht, sondern Klarheit über Ziel und Mandat. Warum Ukraine, Armenien und Zivilgesellschaft Teil derselben Sicherheitsfrage sind.

Armenia Caught in a Web of Dependencies: What’s at Stake in the Upcoming Elections

Beyond the usual headlines of a seemingly straightforward pivot between Moscow and Brussels, Armenia heads into its upcoming parliamentary elections tangled in a dense web of unyielding systemic pressures.

From the security vacuum left by its frozen CSTO membership and deep infrastructural reliance in the energy sector, to an increasingly asymmetrical war over facts in the media—the country is navigating complex shades of gray and existential dilemmas that defy simple answers.

👉 Read more on our project page (in German): https://dialogue4u.org/veroeffentlichung/armenien-vor-der-wahl-und-im-netz-der-eigenen-abhaengigkeiten/

Armenien vor der Wahl und im Netz der eigenen Abhängigkeiten Wer die Entwicklungen in Armenien im Vorfeld der Parlamentswahlen am 7. Juni 2026 verstehen will, muss die Perspektive wechseln.

4 years of war: How has daily life inside Russia truly changed? 🌍🔍

While European headlines often focus on macroeconomic shifts, the reality for ordinary citizens, independent media, and civil society is different. The International Institute for Peace - IIP recently hosted a panel discussion exploring the growing state control, military-patriotic education, and intense crackdowns on alternative voices inside Russia.

We are incredibly proud to see our brilliant colleague, Angelina Davydova, sharing her deep expertise alongside fellow political analysts and economists. Together, they shed light on how the ruling class has shifted, how the civil sector has steadily declined, and how public discourse is being systematically suppressed. 🤝✨

What is your view on how regional civil societies can best support independent voices under such extreme state pressure? Let's talk in the comments below! 👇

🎥 Check out the full panel recording on Youtube!

Behind Closed Borders: The Domestic Consequences of Russia’s War Recorded May 26th, 2026 at the International Institute for Peace (I...

Only two weeks left to secure your spot for an unforgettable journey to Armenia! ⏰

The countdown is on! You have until June 19, 2026, to apply for our unique study trip taking place this September (22–29). If you want to understand how grassroots civil society drives real change in the face of immense geopolitical challenges, this is the experience you've been waiting for. 🧭

We are leaving the tourist tracks behind to meet the people shaping Armenia’s future. Imagine discussing regional security with experts from the Regional Center for Democracy and Security, or sitting down for lunch at a social enterprise in Gyumri run entirely by inspiring youth with disabilities at the Emili Aregak Center. 🤝
From hearing first-hand testimonies about the displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh to exploring ancient monasteries, tasting local wines, and baking traditional Lavash bread—this trip balances heavy political realities with the warm, resilient soul of Armenian culture. 🍇🥖

Spaces are limited to ensure high-quality exchanges and networking among participants. Don't miss out!

👇 Full itinerary, costs, and registration link can be found in the first comment.

💨 Breathless in Bishkek: Fighting for clean air in Central Asia! 🇰🇬

Bishkek is one of the largest cities in Central Asia, famous for its scenic mountain views. But behind the panorama lies a harsh reality: fossil-based energy, rapid urban sprawl, and climate change are pushing the city’s air quality to dangerous limits. 🏙️

Crucially, this environmental crisis doesn't affect everyone equally - income and geography dictate who breathes what.
In the latest episode of The Eurasian Climate Brief, our brilliant colleague Angelina Davydova and the team sit down with Maria Kolesnikova, director of the environmental NGO MoveGreen. Together, they dive deep into how air pollution impacts local citizens and discuss what can be done to create lasting change. 🎧🌱

The Eurasian Climate Brief is dedicated to bringing you vital climate and environmental stories from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia—regions where these critical issues are heavily underreported. 🌍✨

What’s your view on how grassroot NGOs can best tackle urban air pollution? Let’s talk in the comments! 👇

Check out the link to the full episode in the comments below!

Every child deserves a safe space to heal, laugh, and dream—whether at home or far away from it. 🧸✨

Happy International Children’s Day! Today, we celebrate the boundless joy and incredible resilience of children everywhere. But as we celebrate, our hearts and efforts are focused on the millions of Ukrainian children whose childhoods have been abruptly disrupted by war and displacement. 💛💙

At Dialogue for Understanding, we believe that protecting childhood and healing psychological wounds requires a continuous safety net - both on the ground and across borders. That is why our targeted projects support young Ukrainians wherever they need it most:
📍 In Ukraine: Trauma Pedagogy for Ukrainian Schools: We operate directly on the ground, equipping local educators and professionals with vital mental health tools to guide children through the deep psychological trauma of war.
📍 In Berlin: Space for Childhood: We provide a warm, secure haven specifically for Ukrainian refugee children who have fled to Germany. It’s a dedicated space where they can process their experiences, play freely, and simply enjoy being children again. 🕊️🌿

Investing in the mental well-being and safety of these children today is how we build a peaceful, resilient tomorrow.

How is your local community or organization supporting refugee children and young families today? What’s your view on the best ways to provide psychological comfort to displaced youth? Share your thoughts below, or tag a friend who is doing amazing work for children! 👇

Check out the comments section below for the links to discover more about these projects!

📉 A worrying shift for democracy: Germany's civil society space downgraded

The newly released 2026 "Atlas of Civil Society" report by Brot für die Welt delivers a stark wake-up call for all of us. Germany has officially been downgraded to a "limited" openness ranking. This places it alongside other nations where the space for activists, NGOs, and free assembly is actively shrinking due to heavy surveillance, police pushbacks at protests, and rising discrimination. 🌍

A major threat highlighted this year is the massive surge in AI-driven disinformation campaigns. These targeted efforts are purposely dividing communities, particularly focusing on highly sensitive topics like immigration, climate change, and the LGBTQ+ community. Shockingly, the report finds that a mere 3.4% of the world’s population now lives in truly open societies, while 73% live under authoritarian regimes. 🛑

As advocates for human rights and regional solidarity across Germany and Eastern Europe we know that a free civil society is the very foundation of democratic progress. When these spaces shrink, vulnerable groups suffer first. We must stand together, strengthen digital resilience, and demand better protections for civil actors across the European continent. 💪

What’s your view on this alarming development? Have you noticed a shift in public discourse or assembly rights in your own local community? Let’s talk about it in the comments below! 👇

(Read the full Atlas via the link in the comments section.)

📰 Reporting Under Fire: How Myanmar’s Mizzima Defies Surveillance

Exile journalism has become a defining feature of today’s global media landscape. Since the 2021 military coup, independent voices in Myanmar have faced severe repression and violent conflict. In a powerful new interview, our colleague Angelina Davydova speaks with Soe Myint, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Mizzima, about how their newsroom navigates safety, ethics, and financial survival. 🇲🇲

Operating under a unique “one-foot-in, one-foot-out” cross-border model, Mizzima balances clandestine reporting inside the country with administrative hubs abroad. From managing extreme safety risks to inventing creative revenue streams—like importing coffee to Europe to stay sustainable—their journey is a masterclass in resilience and innovation for independent media worldwide. 💪🌱

What keeps Soe Myint hopeful after decades of struggle? The incredible energy of the younger generation. As he beautifully puts it: "The human being wants to be liberated. It is natural justice at the end of the day... People are fighting and that is the hope." 🌟

How can global civil society better stand in solidarity with journalists operating from underground and exile? What's your view? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

🔗 Read the full inspiring interview via the link in the comments!