Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most important questions concerning Teams up! can be found here. If you cannot find what you’re looking for, just give us a call or send an email.

General matters

What does “extra-curricular exchange projects” actually mean? What types of group can take part?

Any extra-curricular youth group (e.g. youth organisations, school clubs, sports clubs, intercultural education organisations, conservation groups, religious organisations, scouts associations, etc.) can take part. We also encourage applications from groups that have previously not been active in the area of development or only to a limited extent. We’d be happy to provide you with any advice you need. If you are interested in school youth exchanges, feel free to contact the School Exchange Programme for Development Education, ENSA.

More information

Application matters

What does the application process involve?

The basis of the application is a project idea developed jointly by a partner in Germany and a partner in an African country. You are welcome to contact us in advance for advise on your specific project idea and the subsequent application procedure. We also offer digital information events for applicants: Please consult our regular information about dates and key topics on our website.


The entire application process takes place via Engagement Global's funding project software (FöPro). The first step of the process, prior to the application, involves the German partner undergoing an assessment for implementing organisations by Engagement Global's Central Programme Service (ZPS) via FöPro. Once the assessment has been passed, the partners can submit the application they have drawn up together by the appropriate deadlines.

Information about the assessment for implementing organisations
To the deadlines
Information about the digital information events

What does the assessment for implementing organisations involve and what are the criteria?

The German partner must be assessed as an implementing organisation before the application can be submitted. The assessment is based on criteria such as non-profit character, legal form and credit worthiness. This process should be completed in the FöPro at least four weeks before submitting the actual project application.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Central Programme Service (ZPS) using the following email address:

traegerpruefung@engagement-global.de

Information about the assessment for implementing organisations

Is a further assessment necessary, if the German partner organisation is already registered with Engagement Global under an implementing organisation number?

Yes. However, the process can be made much shorter if the organisation has already been approved under another Engagement Global programme.

Which documents are part of the application via FöPro?

  • Project outline document in the run-up to the application (also possible in parallel with the assessment of implementing organisations; in each case at least 11 weeks before an application deadline)
  • Application form
  • Financing plan
  • Educational plan
  • Crisis and emergency mangement plan

Where can I get help with the application forms?

Completion instructions are available for the individual fields in the FöPro to simplify the application process. We will also shortly be providing sample applications with completion aids on our website. For further advice on the content, please get in touch with the Teams up! team:

jugendbegegnungen@engagement-global.de

You can also attend one of our upcoming information events. We provide regular information about the dates on our website.

Organisational matters

Can the visits to the partner country and Germany differ in length within the specified 14 to 30 days?

To ensure the projects are truly based on a principle of partnership, the visits to each country should be of balanced length.

What does a principle of partnership mean in the Teams up! programme?

It means that the project partners should work as equals in all phases of the project and share their opinions and views as partners. The aim is for them to mutually benefit and engage in perspective-taking through a constant process of communication and dialogue. There should also be a balance between the tasks assigned to each side.

Does the project have to focus on one or several SDG? How do we choose the right SDG for us?

The project should relate to one specific SDG. The partners are free to choose an SDG that fits in with their interests or experience. During the project, the theoretical and practical aspects should focus on the chosen SDG. We will be happy to advise you on your choice.

What does “diversity” mean in relation to the participants?

The Teams up! programme is intended for young people from all social groups. In this context, “diversity” refers among others to gender, ethnicity, sexuality, education, impairment and disability.

Is there a specific order for which project partner travels first? The one from Germany or the one from the partner country?

As a rule, the personal meeting takes place first in the country of the African partner. Only in justified exceptional cases is it possible for the African project partner to visit Germany first.

What happens in the event of changes in the implementation of the project?

In accordance with your reporting duties, please consult the Teams up! team if changes occur during the project. Details of your reporting duties can be found in the forwarding agreement.

What happens if the local security situation changes during the project?

In the event of this happening, please contact the Teams up! Youth Exchange team immediately so that you can find a solution with them in line with the situation.

Does AGYO provide assistance with the visa application process?

The AGYO team can assist you with visa applications by supplying a visa support letter from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to be presented to the embassy, if required. To receive support letters, please send an up-to-date, full list of participants to:

jugendbegegnungen@engagement-global.de

Participants List Visa Support Letter (PDF, 966 KB)

What information has to be included in the crisis and emergency management plan?

Your crisis and emergency management plan should describe the communication channels and measures to be taken in the event of a crisis and contain an emergency telephone number that can be contacted by all participants 24/7. In addition, all German participants should register in the Federal Foreign Office’s crisis preparedness list (ELEFAND list).

More information

Is it possible for participants to live with a host family?

You and your partner organisations decide how participants are to be accommodated. Both group accommodation (in a youth hostel, for example) and accommodation in host families are possible. If you choose to place participants with host families, please be aware that expenses are only claimable if they can be proven to have been incurred.

Financial matters

Does the 50,000 euro expenditure limit refer to total expenditure for the project or only the part for which funding is provided?

The 50,000 euro expenditure limit refers to total expenditure. Up to 75 percent of this amount can be funded through Teams up!. 25 percent must be provided by the project partners. The share of funding to be provided by the project partners can come from a third party.

What expenses can be claimed?

All claimable expenses can be found in the “how-to” notes for the financing plan and in the sample forwarding agreement. Please make sure your financial plan is as detailed and realistic as possible (for example, with specific details of the basis of any calculations) and that the relevance to the project is explained clearly for each item.

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