Challenge Academy – premiere for the international self-effectiveness project for teenagers
Boys and girls from Ukraine and Germany participate in the “Challenge Academy” project by “Klitschko Foundation” and “DFB-Stiftung Egidius Braun”. The project helps young people to explore their self-effectiveness and find out how they can change their own and their communi-ties’ and associations’ lives.
“Challenge Academy” is an international educational project for teenagers between 14 and 16 years, organized by the Klitschko Foundation and the Foundation of the German Football Association DFB-Stiftung Egidius Braun. Boys and girls from both countries will spend six days at the facilities in Bad Malente, Germany. During the project, participants will improve self-effectiveness and leadership skills, shape plans for their future and form new eco-habits.
“Cultural mentality and traditions have a huge influence on teenager’s mindset. Communicating with peers from different countries, they will find out that challenges they face are quite similar. It’s a unique chance for our participants to being part of a team and at the same time respect the views and values of others. We all dream globally, but we need to respect the commitment, especially of the young generation, to act locally and create own projects and change their city-communities or associations” - says Alina Nosenko, Director of the Klitschko Foundation.
Wladimir Klitschko’s method „F.A.C.E. the Challenge“ will be the common theme the participants experience. It incorporates mental and physical elements, including building strength, improving willpower and learning to transform problems into challenges. The method is currently being examined scientifically at the Competence Center for Intrapreneurship (ICI-HSG) at the University of St. Gallen, which also provides several workshops and pedagogical accompaniment throughout the project. In different workshops, young people learn how to focus, while being agile, coordinating and enduring in following their goals. The participants will further gain insights in the method of “Design Thinking” and will learn how to transform their personal unspecified dream into a real goal, they can conquer.
“The Klitschko Foundation was founded in 2003. Since then, more than 1.2 million young people were part of our multinational projects. Now I am looking forward to our “Challenge Academy” together with the Egidius Braun foundation, as this is a truly international and intercultural project. Furthermore, the whole course follows my method F.A.C.E. the Challenge” – Wladimir Klitschko states. “I am excited to learn about participants’ issues and their plans to turn problems into challenges.”
Dr. Wladimir Klitschko, initiator of the method F.A.C.E. the Challenge and René Adler, former goalkeeper of the German National Soccer team, will hold an inspirational talk about mastering challenges with the group of 38 teenagers. In the end everyone will find their individual answer to the question “How can I change myself and improve the world around me?”
"The goal is to support the social engagement and develop competencies of young german and Ukrainian teenagers. Especially the German participants are engaged in the structures of organised football as a Junior Coach or as a referee. In this Challenge Academy they learn how to transform problems into challenges that is not only important for their social commitment but also for self-development" – says Tobias Wrzesinski, managing director of the DFB-Stiftung Egidius Braun.
The “Challenge Academy” unites and reflects the values of the two organizations DFB-Stiftung Egidius Braun and Klitschko Foundation in supporting the sustainable development of young people, and strengthening their knowledge by teaching one another. Participants will leave the “Challenge Academy” with a clear plan to organize own local projects and share new knowledge with associations in their communities.
Organizing partners:
Klitschko Foundation іs a charitable organization that develops civil society in Ukraine. By the means of non-formal education, teenagers and students are able to master their XXI century skills, adopt healthy lifestyle, become eco-conscious, take part in intercultural exchanges, learn to use a project approach in their life, studying and future profession. The alumni organize further educational activities for peers, becoming the ambassadors of change in their own towns and villages.
DFB-Stiftung Egidius Braun is a foundation of the German Football Association, named after its former president Egidius Braun. The Foundation is not only a football foundation – more than that, it has a social, worldwide mission.The organization’s motto is „Fußball — Mehr als ein 1:0!“. It means that football is more than just a game with just scoring.
Klitschko Ventures based in Hamburg, has the goal to make the learnings of the longest reigning heavyweight boxing champion Dr. Wladimir Klitschko accessible to everyone. Therefore, the Klitschko Ventures team in cooperation with Wladimir Klitschko has developed the method F.A.C.E. the Challenge. It supports people in unleashing their implementation-energy needed to live a successful and balanced life. The entire F.A.C.E. portfolio – training formats and product innovations – is designed to unleash the fullest possible potential of each individual, both mentally and physically. From diffuse desires, dreams or wishes people develop real will and resistant willpower.
Competence Center for Intrapreneurship at the Institute for Customer Insight (ICI-HSG), University of St. Gallen founded by Dr. Wladimir Klitschko, Klitschko Ventures and the Institute for Customer Insight at the University of St. Gallen, believes our society is best when everyone is empowered to do their best wherever they are, with what they have, however they can. The Center develops and implements science-based interventions in support of translating this vision into practical reality.
Press contacts:
Klitschko Foundation: Nataliia Drugak
Egidius Braun Stiftung: Sabine Breuer
Dr. Wladimir Klitschko: Angela Obermaier
Klitschko Ventures GmbH