A journey of learning, belonging and collective action
Do you have questions? Please browse our FAQs.
Vidnova Plus Engagement accompanies you in taking an active role in societal and community life in Germany by getting involved, building meaningful relationships, and finding your place in local society. You can implement your own social project in the local community or become a volunteer in an organization that reflects your interests in Berlin or Brandenburg.
The program provides practical tools for skill development and pairs you with a mentor who offers guidance throughout the process. It also nurtures a supportive community of people with shared experiences of displacement, migration, and contributing to society — creating space to exchange knowledge, grow together, and build lasting connections.
Created and coordinated by Commit gGmbh.
Funded by the European Union.
Open Call
The call for applications for the second cohort, running from February to March 2026, is now open.
Contents of this page
Program highlights
Gain the tools to turn your idea into a real initiative and grow your ability to contribute to local communities. Through trainings, workshops, and peer exchange, you will develop:
Practical Skills
Learn how to plan and manage projects, and lead group processes (facilitation).
Personal Skills
Deepen your self-awareness and learn how to take responsibility while actively engaging in community life.
Social & Communication Skills
Work better in teams, handle conflicts in a constructive way, and improve communication across cultures.
All activities are designed around the following principles:
Peer Exchange
Learn with and from others who share similar experiences and values.
Interactive Formats
Participate in hands-on workshops, group work, and real-world projects.
Inclusive Approach
Your voice, background, and perspective are valued and respected.
Who can join
The program is open to people from Ukraine who are based in Berlin or Brandenburg and want to take a more active role in their local community.
This program is for you if:
You are from Ukraine and registered in Berlin or Brandenburg.
You hold §24 status or another long-term residence permit in Germany, such as a Blue Card, work visa, or residence permit.
You have an idea for a social initiative or feel inspired to join and engage with existing initiatives in Berlin or Brandenburg.
You are an adult (at least 18 years old).
Roadmap
Call not yet opened
Call not yet opened
Call not yet opened
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What you can expect
You can participate only once in one cohort. Over four months, you will join a group of 25 peers for an intensive learning journey that includes:
Skill-Building Modules
- Public speaking and storytelling
- Project development and management
- Civic engagement and advocacy
- Communication and media tools
- Facilitation and organizing skills
Peer Learning and Networking
- Work in small teams
- Exchange with local experts
- Build lasting connections
- Regular peer talks
Mentoring
- Get individual guidance and feedback
Outcome of your Journey
- You will have started your own social initiative in your local community or become active in an existing one in Berlin or Brandenburg.
- You will receive a certificate from the program confirming the competencies you have gained.
Main working language
Ukrainian. German and/or English is a plus, giving access to the practical tools and additional connections the program offers.
Why Community Engagement
Integration is more than adapting to a new environment — it’s about actively contributing, shaping your place in society, and finding a community where you belong, making a difference together.
Through meaningful engagement in local life, you build connections that go beyond language or paperwork. Whether joining a sports club, supporting a neighborhood initiative, or helping organize local events, you actively contribute to a shared sense of belonging and mutual support.
This engagement helps form new relationships, understand local customs, and influence the society around you. It creates opportunities for trust, collaboration, and recognition — essential foundations for genuine inclusion.
Our program is designed for those who want to feel like a neighbor, not a stranger. By creating and joining initiatives, it prepares you not only for volunteering, but for being fully involved in local society and taking on roles where your skills, experiences, and perspectives matter.
Contact
If you have any questions, please send a message to vidnovaplus@wecommit.to, addressed to Tetiana and Lisa.
We speak German, Ukrainian and English.
FAQ
Your Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vidnova Plus?
Vidnova Plus is a program for people from Ukraine who live in Berlin and Brandenburg and want to develop their own initiatives, volunteer, strengthen their civic engagement, and build cooperation between Ukrainian and German communities.
Why does the program operate only in Berlin and Brandenburg?
Who can participate in the program?
- People from Ukraine who live and are officially registered in Berlin or Brandenburg
- Aged 18 or older
- There is no upper age limit
- Interested in developing initiatives, volunteering, or fostering cooperation between communities
- Ready to provide copies of documents confirming residence status and registration*
*Why do we ask for these documents? And what about the protection of personal data?
Our program is funded by the European Union, which means that the use of funds is subject to strict transparency and audit requirements. The donor requires confirmation that the participants are indeed people for whom the program is intended, and that opportunities are distributed as widely as possible rather than repeatedly provided to the same individuals.
For this reason, we ask participants to provide documents confirming their residence status and place of registration.
At the same time, the processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means that:
- documents are used exclusively to confirm eligibility for participation in the program and for reporting to the donor;
- access to these documents is limited to authorized members of the project team;
- data are not shared with third parties, except in cases of official project verification by donors or auditors;
- documents are stored securely and only for the period necessary for financial reporting, after which they are deleted in accordance with data protection regulations.
In which language is the program conducted?
What are the components of the program?
Vidnova Plus Engagement – training and mentoring support for participants who want to implement their own small community project or volunteer with organizations in Berlin or Brandenburg.
Vidnova Plus Dialogue – facilitated networking events that bring together Ukrainian and German communities for learning, exchange, collaboration, and the development of initiatives, projects, or volunteering activities.
Vidnova Plus Podcast / podcast workshops – a format that helps participants learn how to use audio as a tool for influence and amplify the voice of the Ukrainian community.
Peer-to-peer – a format where participants exchange experiences of migration and civic engagement and share practical insights and life hacks.
Is it possible to participate in several program components?
Participation has the following limitations:
- Participants in Vidnova Plus Engagement cannot participate in the Podcast track (and vice versa).
- Participants in Peer-to-peer cannot participate in Vidnova Plus Engagement or Vidnova Plus Podcast.
- Vidnova Plus Dialogue is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are part of Engagement, Podcast, or Peer-to-peer.
In summary, Engagement, Podcast, and Peer-to-peer are mutually exclusive formats, while Dialogue is an open platform for broader participation.
Is participation free of charge?
Yes, participation is free of charge. Vidnova Plus is created and implemented by Commit gGmbH and funded by the European Union.
Can I receive an official letter for the Jobcenter or my employer?
Yes, we can provide an official confirmation letter upon request.
Will participants receive a certificate?
Yes, participants will receive a certificate if they attend at least 90% of the sessions within Vidnova Plus Engagement, Vidnova Plus Podcast, or Vidnova Plus Dialogue.
The Peer-to-peer format does not include certification.
Does the program provide support for learning German or finding a job?
No, the program does not offer direct support for language learning or employment. However, active participation during and after the program helps develop skills, expand networks, and positively contributes to integration.
Does the program provide financial support for developing initiatives or organizations?
No, the program does not provide direct financial support. However, participants receive informational support about grant opportunities from program partners.
What is meant by “implementing your own small community project or volunteering in organizations in Berlin or Brandenburg”?
This refers to the opportunity to launch your own initiative within your community or to join the activities of an existing organization. Examples of small community projects include organizing a neighborhood gathering, a Sprachcafé, workshops, meetups, sports or thematic events. These are small-scale initiatives aimed at bringing people together, strengthening community ties, and encouraging civic participation. Volunteering means unpaid, formal engagement with organizations whose mission aligns with your interests, such as environmental organizations, sports clubs, social or cultural initiatives. The focus is on your active contribution to the development of the community.
