Exchange2Change
Kicking Off Connections

Jugendliche des Austauschprogramm St.Pauli Fußballcamp stehen vor einem Fußball-Tor. © Selim Sudheimer

Connecting through Football and Culture

Exchange2Change Kicking Off Connections is an exchange programme for young people, aged between 14 and 17 during the exchange phase, who live in the United Kingdom or Germany. As part of a group, exchangers connect through playing football and collaboratively develop a creative project, partly virtual and partly during stays in Mönchengladbach (North Rhine-Westphalia) and London (United Kingdom).

Applications are now open!

Exchange2Change Kicking Off Connections will take place from 7-17 June 2026. Applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted by 19 April 2026.

Apply now

Kicking Off Connections Initiative

Together with UK-German Connection, the Kicking Off Connections initiative forms part of the implementation of the Kensington Treaty, through which the UK and Germany have committed to strengthening cooperation in education, supporting language learning, fostering cultural exchange, and building lasting links between young people in both countries.
In line with the treaty’s goals, Exchange2Change – Kicking Off Connections promotes authentic encounters between young people, encourages intercultural understanding, and supports early language learning.

The programme is funded by the Friends of the Goethe-Institut UK and the Auswärtiges Amt.

Who is eligible to apply?

We welcome applications from young people who are between 14 and 17 years old at the time of the exchange.
The programme is directed at young people who do not learn German and have had no or only minimal contact with Germany as of yet.
You should be prepared to get involved in a group process and, if necessary, establish contact with a youth centre/an alternative learning facility.
You should also have an interest in football and media creation.
You will need a letter of recommendation from a teacher/social worker/mentor or community organiser.

So, please start your application process early to not miss out!

Timeline for the exchange

Part of the Kensington Treaty, Exchange2Change Kicking Off Connections is an exchange programme for young people (aged 14-17) in the UK and Germany. The participants develop a joint media project (e.g. video, photography, podcast, sound and visual arts), initially virtually and later during physical visits to the UK and Germany. This is how the exchange works:

Preparation phase (April-May 2026)

During the preparation phase, you will get to know the other participants virtually. You will decide which kind of project you would like to work on together and what kind of preparation will be necessary. To understand each other better, you will take part in short language workshops together.

Exchange in Mönchengladbach and London (7-17 June 2026)

After the preparation phase, there will be time for you to get to know each other in person. Together with a group of young people from the UK and Germany, you will visit Mönchengladbach and London. You will work together on your project, join football training sessions and take part in workshops which will teach you new skills and give you inspiration for your project. There will also be further language workshops and, of course, a leisure programme to help you get to know the country and people better. You will also document the experience via video and present your project to schools.

Follow-up (June-September 2026)

When you return home, you can decide how you would like to present the results of the project in your home country. Together you will reflect on what you have learnt, and if you like, you can even keep going with your project. Upon completion of Exchange2Change, the Goethe-Institut will provide participant with a work experience certificate.

Why participate?

With the exchange programme Exchange2Change Kicking Off Connections

you will be able to gain first work experience in artistic fields and in digital media creation.
you will meet young football enthusiasts from a different country and will be able to start a new collaborative project with them. You will make friends for life.
you can embrace your passion for football, let your creativity run wild and will gain a first taste of German language and culture. Selected participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a free German course at the Goethe-Institut.

If your application is successful, the Goethe-Institut London, with the kind support of the Auswärtiges Amt and the Friends of the Goethe-Institut United Kingdom, will cover all costs for participation in the exchange.

Important information

Here, we relay some additional information about the following details.

What is “Exchange2Change”?

Alumni, organisers, and the sponsoring “Friends of the Goethe-Institut United Kingdom” talk about the exchange programme and share what it means to them.

Eine Gruppe Jugendlicher bei einem Kreativworkshop