About Us

Mission Statement

For a European Civil Society

We promote the German-Russian dialogue that plays a key part in the development of a European civil society and societies beyond the European Union. Europe is more than the European Union. We promote permeable borders surrounding the European Union. We oppose any ‘fortress mentality’ on either side.

A dialogue of people and societies

Meeting, dialogue and equal cooperation between the people of Germany, Russia and other countries within Europe are means that we build upon. Our foundation is the people and their willingness to engage. Although official relationships are important, the real and sustainable changes start as a democratic process with and within people themselves.

Learning with and from each other

Intensive contacts, joint work and a pluralistic exchange of opinions enable mutual learning, German-Russian understanding and lasting relationships based on principles of reciprocity. We as well as our partners undergo changes. Critique and self-criticism go hand in hand. This learning process is one of our goals and never complete.

For a transparent, historically-aware picture of each other

We work to create a true image free from clichés and media hysteria. Many inaccurate preconceptions, in Russia as well as in Germany and other European countries still prevalent today are rooted in history. They hinder cooperation in other areas. Historical awareness and reappraisal (in particular of the German war of extermination and the dictatorships of both countries in the 20th century) are therefore just as important as a differentiated knowledge of the societal situation today. The memory dialogue serves the Europeanization of commemoration.

For public participation as the rule, not the exception

The peaceful intervention into domestic affairs of both, the own and the other country is typical for intergovernmental relations in the civil society field. We are therefore active in all matters related to civil, political, social as well as cultural freedoms and rights, defending them at home and abroad. Independent media, a pluralistic society and democratic institutions are our universal orientation points.

Information, education, networking as instruments for change

Dialogue, learning, social transformation: we work towards the implementation of these goals encompassing the areas of social and environmental protection; the media; democracy and human rights; European integration and memory; conflict resolution and antidiscrimination; inter-generational dialogue and support for disadvantaged groups. Our instruments for change are: civil society cooperation and non-governmental diplomacy; nation and sector-wide networking; education and exchange projects; advice from foundations, political figures and other relevant bodies as well as the participation in public debates.

Members and sponsors as our foundation

The idealistic participation and financial support of our sponsors and members is the basis of our organization. Our work is exclusively funded through donations and project-grants that guarantee our independence.

Members

How can we strengthen the relationships between Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other Eastern European Countries? How can we improve their dialogue and cooperation? Share you own vision with us and become a member of the German-Russian Exchange! We are pleased to welcome new members interested in supporting and shaping our work.

We are a membership-based organization. As a member you are able to:

Be directly involved in relevant decisions discussed during our biannual meeting
Contribute to our working groups
Receive direct contact to our partners and experts in Russia, Germany and other countries
Organize your own activities with our support covering our topics around Eastern Europe or others in consultation with our board or manager
Get to know new colleagues and friends while profiting from our and our partners network.

Additionally our members receive:

A regular update of our internal information and activities as well as general topics
Direct invitation to events hosted by us or our partners

BECOME A MEMBER

If you want to lend us particular support you can also become a sponsoring member. You are free to choose your own annual contribution amount.

The annual membership fee is €60 or €30 for students, trainees, apprentices, unemployed or other low-income earners.

We kindly ask you to provide us with a direct credit authorization to reduce our administrative expenses. You can revoke the authorization at any time.

Depending on the time of admission, the fee is collected pro rata.

100% in the first quarter
75% in the second quarter
50% in the third quarter
25% in the fourth quarter

If possible, use your new SEPA account details. Otherwise, use your regular account details (account number and bank code).

Please consult us if you want to transfer the fee on your own or split it individually.

We are looking forward to meeting you and further develop our work with your support!

Publications

Our complete list of publications is available here (German).

Jobs

1. Vacancy Announcement: Financial and Project Manager in an International Project for Conflict Resolution in Eastern Ukraine as of 01 October 2018

DRA (German-Russian Exchange, www.austausch.org) is looking for a financial and project manager in an international project "Dialogue for understanding and justice". The appointment will be from 1 October 2018 till 31 August 2020 with a possibility of multi-year extension, depending on available further project funding. Full-time or part-time (30-40h/week) is subject to agreement.

The project "Dialogue for understanding and justice: European NGOs working together for conflict resolution in Donbas" aims to contribute to conflict resolution in eastern Ukraine via the promotion of a resilient and pro-active civil society and new partnerships in Europe, also as part of the new multilateral NGO-platform CivilM+, and thus helping to stabilise the region, reintegrate the population and restore the rule of law and peace. Furthermore, the project is targeted at conveying an understanding of causes, progress, consequences and solutions to the European public, and enhancing the role of civil society in the process of conflict resolution.

The DRA, founded in 1992 and based in Berlin, works with NGOs, state institutions and experts from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other countries in Eastern Europe, as well as with partners in many EU countries. It conducts projects on subjects such as media, education, human rights, interculturality, youth and social work, environmental protection, integration, dialogue and peace work. For more, see: www.austausch.org.

The position focus is on the independent and reliable financial planning, management and control of expenses in the scope of the budget of a project financed by public funds. Further central tasks include preparation, organisation and execution of project measures, as well as project documentation.

Tasks

Financial planning, management and control of expenditures:

Documentation, settlement, integration of the partial budgets of the project partners in the overall budget of the project financed by German federal funds,
Financial reports,

Communication with project partners and external service providers, design of contracts,
Contribution to concept design and independent organisation, execution, post-processing, evaluation and documentation of project measures (trainings, conferences, round tables, exchange and networking meetings, public events, etc.),
Travel to the project region (Ukraine/ other countries),
Contribution to the announcement of tender for and awarding of grants for mini-projects,
Support of further project development and fundraising.

Requirements

Verifiable experience in financial administration of projects, in particular budget planning, management and documentation,
Motivation and joy in working with complex budgets,
Very good Excel skills,
Reliable and careful handling of numbers, receipts, and documents,
Profound knowledge of Office programs (knowledge of accounting software is of advantage),
Experience in project work (preferably in the civil society sector and with public funds) and in event management (seminars, conferences, side events, panel discussions, etc.),
Very good German and Russian skills; good English and Ukrainian skills are of advantage,
Very good communication, social and team-work skills,
Experience abroad and with volunteering of advantage,
Diligence, independence, initiative, punctuality,
Confident and committed appearance towards partners,
High resilience and ability to quickly familiarise oneself with new subjects and tasks,
Good conceptual skills,
Readiness to occasionally work on weekends and to go on business trips,
Good knowledge of the current situation in Ukraine and Eastern Europe of advantage.

Experience or knowledge in subject areas of the project (conflict management, international civil society, human rights monitoring) are highly welcome.

The DRA offers a multi-faceted and international working environment, competent team, a competitive salary and space for own initiative. For more information, see: www.austausch.org

Please send your applications as a PDF document (no larger than 2MB) to assistenz@austausch.org.

Submit your application by 16 September 2018. Interviews will take place in Berlin from 20 to 24 September 2018.

You can find more information about the Vacancy in this PDF document.

2. Vacancy Announcement: PR and Project Manager in an International Project for Conflict Resolution in Eastern Ukraine as of 01 October 2018

DRA (German-Russian Exchange, www.austausch.org) is looking for a PR and project manager in an international project “Dialogue for understanding and justice”. The appointment will be from 1 October 2018 till 31 August 2020 with a possibility of multi-year extension, depending on available further project funding. Full-time or part-time (30-40h/week) is subject to agreement.

The position focus is on strategic planning and implementation of PR work for the project and, in the scope of this, of the multilateral NGO-platform CivilM+, across all available channels (including websites, social media, etc.), conceptual support and editing of publications (flyers, brochures, reports, etc.), and event management (conferences, side events, round tables, etc.). Tasks include also preparation, organisation and execution of further project measures, as well as project documentation.