SHAPING FUTURE LEADERS
The Czech-German Young Professionals Program (CGYPP) is an international network for young experts, multipliers, movers and shakers from Germany and the Czech Republic. The program interlinks the fields of academia, business, media, politics, public administration and NGO.
Each year since 2008, 12-14 young professionals from Germany and the Czech Republic are invited to participate in a series of workshops, and to collaborate on relevant economic, political and social issues. CGYPP connects people with different professional backgrounds.
By exchanging and sharing experiences and perspectives, the participants not only broaden their horizons, improve communication and intercultural skills but also increase their social capital.
CGYPP 2026 Topic
Building Preparedness: A Czech-German Dialogue on European Security
The geopolitical landscape of Europe has fundamentally shifted, placing preparedness, security and defence at the forefront of the European agenda.Russian aggression against Ukraine and ongoing provocation at the NATO Eastern border has underscored the necessity of robust defence capabilities, transatlantic unity, and societal resilience. The era of focusing solely on “peace dividends” is over; we must now critically assess our willingness to participate in collective defence and our readiness to face complex, multi-layered threats, ranging from conventional military aggression to hybrid warfare and economic coercion. This year’s program will facilitate a vital Czech-German dialogue on the challenges and responsibilities tied to the security of Central Europe placing a special emphasis on engaging the next generation for a resilient future. We will move beyond abstract concepts to explore practical questions:.
- How are our nations redefining their defence spending and military strategies to meet NATO targets and address modern threats?
- What is the role of the civilian sphere in national preparedness, including critical infrastructure protection, disinformation resilience, and the mobilization of resources?
- What lessons can we learn from our historical and current geopolitical positions regarding energy independence, supply chain security, and resistance to foreign influence?
- What is the role of the European Union in coordinating collective preparedness, and how can Czech-German cooperation help shape a stronger EU security architecture?
- How can societies themselves, through civic engagement, democratic resilience, public trust, and transgenerational dialogue contribute to national and European security in times of crisis?
These and other topical questions are addressed during the 17th year of the Czech-German Young Professionals Program (CGYPP).
THE OUTCOME OF THE PROGRAM
The outcome of the Czech-German Young Professionals Program (CGYPP) is a growing international network of committed and talented people. It offers the chance to make valuable contacts with both participants and visiting experts from Germany and the Czech Republic.
Group interaction between current and past participants,
a lively atmosphere and the high level of commitment all promote the enduring exchange of ideas and experiences.
The network is kept alive by annual meetings, other Alumni events as well as via social media.
A really nice mixture of receiving and giving. During the three seminars, I gained confidence in the topic and it motivated me to dig deeper myself. Thank you very much for this privilege to get to know so many inspiring people.
Klára Bulantová,
Heinrich Böll Foundation Prague
CGYPP gave me inspiration, a great network and empowered me for my future career path.
Franziska Stölzel,
Škoda Auto
The program takes you into a very different environment, where you meet people that you would never have met elsewhere, and think about things that you would otherwise never have encountered.
Christof Strejcek,
business analyst
This programme means for me a highlight this year in terms if personal development. I got a deep insight into the theme of digitalization, met great people bringing different perspectives and got a lot of inspiration for my personal and professional life.
Jana Lachmann,
German Embassy Prague
This programme means for me a highlight this year in terms if personal development. I got a deep insight into the theme of digitalization, met great people bringing different perspectives and got a lot of inspiration for my personal and professional life.
Jana Lachmann,
German Embassy Prague