Genfest 2024

Welcome to the central information page of the DACH region for GENFEST 2024.
The Genfest is an international youth festival (18+) with a social outreach as a pre-program and workshops on current topics and as a post-program.
The focus of the event is on
– the sustainable promotion of social engagement and networking on an international level
– raising awareness of and dealing with global challenges and social diversity
– as well as interreligious and transcultural dialog.

The information on this page was last updated on May 12, 2024.

A group of young people from Austria, Switzerland and Germany has organized a joint trip to Brazil. At the same time, individual travel packages can be organized. 
The practical arrangements and information are listed below for each country.

News and pictures of the fundraising campaigns and the ongoing preparations for the GENFEST can be found at: https://mariapoli.net/tag/genfest/

For various reasons, many do not have the opportunity to take part locally. That is why there will also be a local GENFEST in Ottmaring (near Augsburg) from 19 to 21 July 2024. Around 80 to 90 young people are expected to attend. Connected with the young adults in Brazil, they would also like to experience GENFEST. In line with the theme ‘Together to care’, they want to get involved in social projects, follow parts of the event in Brazil via stream and celebrate together.

The trip is co-financed by Movetia. Movetia promotes exchange, mobility and cooperation in education, training and youth work – in Switzerland, Europe and worldwide.

(1) Travel planning
As a general rule, the plans listed here are suggestions. Individual travel planning is possible at any time. GENFEST is divided into four phases. A preparatory group from Austria, Germany and Switzerland organizes a trip that includes the first three phases of the GENFEST (social outreach, festival, international workshops):

Flight (July 10, 2024)
1. Social Action
(July 12-18, 2024) Brazil:
We will do a social project near Sao Paulo under the name « NGO SMFocolare ». Please do NOT select phase 1 in the official GENFEST registration. We will participate in the phase, but we will register as a group. 
2. Celebration and Witness (July 19-20, 2024) Aparecida, Brazil:
On these two days, all travelers come together in Aparecida for the actual GENFEST event.
3. Pathway Communities (July 21-24, 2024) Aparecida, Brazil:
During these days, visitors share their experiences and attend workshops on current and global topics such as social and environmental sustainability,
war/crisis/terrorism, decision-making, social justice, mental health and sustainable economic systems….
Flight (August 1, 2024)

(2) Costs
Phase 1 | 105 Euro | Food, accommodation, participation in activities
Phase 2 and 3 | 387 Euro | Food, accommodation, also includes CO2 compensation
Flights | ca. 1.000 Euro | Flights

TOTAL ca. 1.500 Euro Complete travel package

Please note that these costs include accommodation, food on the road and flights. You will have to take care of any insurance yourself.

This can be followed by a voluntary stay in Brazil (July 25, 2024 – August 1, 2024). This is about seven days that can be used for relaxing and discovering the culture of Brazil. The costs for this week are approx. 850 euros.

Depending on the type of voluntary stay in Brazil, the costs will increase. This is partly due to inflation and increased costs for the international organization of GENFEST.

The costs should not be an obstacle to participating in GENFEST. If you need support, you can contact the country manager at any time.

(3) Information event via Zoom
On February 11, 2024, there will be an information event for all those registered for GENFEST via Zoom at 7 pm. There you will be informed about the current status of the organization.

On  November 26 at 7 pm, there was an information event for all those interested in GENFEST via Zoom. Here you had the opportunity to get in touch with the organising team and ask your questions. There was also an optional informal exchange in regional groups. You can watch the recording of the meeting here.

(4) Registration
For the group trip: You can register in our registration form until January 7, 2024. By transferring a deposit of 400 Euro, you make your registration binding. Cancellation of the trip is then no longer possible. 

At the same time, you must register on the international GENFEST website by March 11, 2024 at the latest. If you register later, you will have to find your own accommodation.

(5) Bank account
Fokolar-Bewegung e.V. Deutschland
DE75 7509 0300 0300 0537 24
Purpose: Deposit/travel expenses GENFEST 2024 + surname, first name

(6) Contact person
Feliks Retschke is available to answer any questions you may have. You can reach him via the WhatsApp group for all those interested in GENFEST. He is the admin there.
Alternatively, you can write an email to genfest@newgen-dach.net.

(7) Donations
The aim of GENFEST is to ensure that as many young people as possible from different countries can attend, for example from Venezuela, where the average monthly wage is 37 dollars. We are therefore dependent on every donation and also undertake support campaigns ourselves.
Donations can therefore be collected for GENFEST. These will then be divided equally among all travelers from Germany and thus reduce the total costs for all travelers. In addition, a portion of the donations will be donated to travelers from poorer countries. Donations can be transferred to the above-mentioned account with the reference « Donation GENFEST + name + address ». The name and address can be omitted if no donation receipt is required. For donations of 50 euros or more, the Focolare Movement will issue donation receipts, which will be sent to the address provided at the beginning of 2024 (for donations made in 2023).

(1) Travel planning
As a general rule, the plans listed here are suggestions. Individual travel planning is possible at any time. GENFEST is divided into four phases. A preparatory group from Austria, Germany and Switzerland organizes a trip that includes the first three phases of the GENFEST (social outreach, festival, international workshops):

Flight (July 10, 2024)
1. Social Action
(July 12-18, 2024) Brazil:
We will do a social project near Sao Paulo under the name « NGO SMFocolare ». Please do NOT select phase 1 in the official GENFEST registration. We will participate in the phase, but we will register as a group. 
2. Celebration and Witness (July 19-20, 2024) Aparecida, Brazil:
On these two days, all travelers come together in Aparecida for the actual GENFEST event.
3. Pathway Communities (July 21-24, 2024) Aparecida, Brazil:
During these days, visitors share their experiences and attend workshops on current and global topics such as social and environmental sustainability,
war/crisis/terrorism, decision-making, social justice, mental health and sustainable economic systems….
Flight (August 1, 2024)

(2) Costs
Phase 1 | 105 Euro | Food, accommodation, participation in activities
Phase 2 and 3 | 387 Euro | Food, accommodation, also includes CO2 compensation
Flights | ca. 1.000 Euro | Flights

TOTAL ca. 1.500 Euro Complete travel package

Please note that these costs include accommodation, food on the road and flights. You will have to take care of any insurance yourself.

This can be followed by a voluntary stay in Brazil (July 25, 2024 – August 1, 2024). This is about seven days that can be used for relaxing and discovering the culture of Brazil. The costs for this week are approx. 850 euros.

Depending on the type of voluntary stay in Brazil, the costs will increase. This is partly due to inflation and increased costs for the international organization of GENFEST.

The costs should not be an obstacle to participating in GENFEST. If you need support, you can contact the country manager at any time.

(3) Information event via Zoom
On February 11, 2024, there will be an information event for all those registered for GENFEST via Zoom at 7 pm. There you will be informed about the current status of the organization.

On  November 26 at 7 pm, there was an information event for all those interested in GENFEST via Zoom. Here you had the opportunity to get in touch with the organising team and ask your questions. There was also an optional informal exchange in regional groups. You can watch the recording of the meeting here.

(4) Registration
For the group trip: You can register in our registration form until January 7, 2024. By transferring a deposit of 400 Euro, you make your registration binding. Cancellation of the trip is then no longer possible. 

At the same time, you must register on the international GENFEST website by March 11, 2024 at the latest. If you register later, you will have to find your own accommodation.

(5) Bank account
Verein Jugend für eine geeinte Welt
AT57 2011 1000 0581 8168
Purpose: Deposit/travel expenses GENFEST 2024 + surname, first name

(6) Contact person
Anton Heitmann is available to answer any questions you may have. You can reach him via the WhatsApp group for all those interested in GENFEST. He is the admin there.
Alternatively, you can write an email to genfest@newgen-dach.net

(7) Donations
The aim of GENFEST is to ensure that as many young people as possible from different countries can attend, for example from Venezuela, where the average monthly wage is 37 dollars. We are therefore dependent on every donation and also undertake support campaigns ourselves.
Donations can therefore be collected for GENFEST. These will then be divided equally among all travelers from Germany and thus reduce the total costs for all travelers. In addition, a portion of the donations will be donated to travelers from poorer countries. Donations can be transferred to the above-mentioned account with the reference « Donation GENFEST + name + date of birth ». As the Youth for a United World association, we are applying for the donations to be tax-deductible. However, if our application is approved, this would only apply from January 1, 2024. If someone does not wish to make their donation tax-deductible, the date of birth can be omitted.

(1) Travel planning
As a general rule, the plans listed here are suggestions. Individual travel planning is possible at any time. GENFEST is divided into four phases. A preparatory group from Austria, Germany and Switzerland organizes a trip that includes the first three phases of the GENFEST (social outreach, festival, international workshops):

Flight (July 10, 2024)
1. Social Action
(July 12-18, 2024) Brazil:
We will do a social project near Sao Paulo under the name « NGO SMFocolare ». Please do NOT select phase 1 in the official GENFEST registration. We will participate in the phase, but we will register as a group. The social project is financially supported by Movetia. Movetia promotes exchange, mobility and cooperation in education, training and youth work – in Switzerland, Europe and worldwide.
2. Celebration and Witness (July 19-20, 2024) Aparecida, Brazil:
On these two days, all travelers come together in Aparecida for the actual GENFEST event.
3. Pathway Communities (July 21-24, 2024) Aparecida, Brazil:
During these days, visitors share their experiences and attend workshops on current and global topics such as social and environmental sustainability,
war/crisis/terrorism, decision-making, social justice, mental health and sustainable economic systems….
Flight (August 1, 2024)

(2) Costs
Phase 1 | 102 CHF | Food, accommodation, participation in activities
Phase 2 and 3 | 365 CHF | Food, accommodation, also includes CO2 compensation
Flights | ca. 1.000 CHF | Flights

TOTAL ca. 1.500 CHF Complete travel package

As soon as we can say more about the costs, we will publish the information here. Please note that these costs include accommodation, food on the road and flights. You will have to take care of any insurance yourself.

This can be followed by a voluntary stay in Brazil (July 25, 2024 – August 1, 2024). This is about seven days that can be used for relaxing and discovering the culture of Brazil. The costs for this week are approx. 850 euros.

Depending on the type of voluntary stay in Brazil, the costs will increase. This is partly due to inflation and increased costs for the international organization of GENFEST.

The costs should not be an obstacle to participating in GENFEST. If you need support, you can contact the country manager at any time.

(3) Information event via Zoom
On February 11, 2024, there will be an information event for all those registered for GENFEST via Zoom at 7 pm. There you will be informed about the current status of the organization.

On  November 26 at 7 pm, there was an information event for all those interested in GENFEST via Zoom. Here you had the opportunity to get in touch with the organising team and ask your questions. There was also an optional informal exchange in regional groups. You can watch the recording of the meeting here.

(4) Registration
For the group trip: You can register in our registration form until January 7, 2024. By transferring a deposit of 400 Euro, you make your registration binding. Cancellation of the trip is then no longer possible. 

At the same time, you must register on the international GENFEST website by March 11, 2024 at the latest. If you register later, you will have to find your own accommodation.

(5) Bank account
Fokolar-Bewegung, Teens/Youth4Unity, Köschenrütistrasse 109, 8052 Zürich
CH06 0900 0000 8002 8253 3
Purpose: Deposit/travel expenses GENFEST 2024 + surname, first name

(6) Contact person
Eleonora Bianchi is available to answer any questions you may have. You can reach him via the WhatsApp group for all those interested in GENFEST. He is the admin there.
Alternatively, you can write an email to genfest@newgen-dach.net.

(7) Donations
The aim of GENFEST is to ensure that as many young people as possible from different countries can attend, for example from Venezuela, where the average monthly wage is 37 dollars. We are therefore dependent on every donation and also undertake support campaigns ourselves.
Donations can therefore be collected for GENFEST. These will then be divided equally among all travelers from Germany and thus reduce the total costs for all travelers. In addition, a portion of the donations will be donated to travelers from poorer countries. Donations can be transferred to the above-mentioned account with the reference « Donation GENFEST + name + address ». The name and address can be omitted if no donation receipt is required. For donations of 50 euros or more, the Focolare Movement will issue donation receipts, which will be sent to the address provided at the beginning of 2024 (for donations made in 2023).

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