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In the spring of 2025, just 21 people were selected for the first round of Kiron’s NextGen Leaders — a new program designed to strengthen leadership skills, provide hands-on experience, and give participants tools to actively contribute to society. Aimed at young people aged 21 to 35 with refugee or migrant backgrounds living in Berlin, the six-month program focused on developing in-demand leadership skills and fostering social impact. Its goal was to equip ambitious leaders with the knowledge and networks needed to create positive change and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.
Launched for the first time this year, the program combined self-paced learning, interactive sessions, and one-on-one coaching. Individual guidance helped learners align their progress with career and leadership goals, while group sessions covered topics such as AI literacy, political participation, critical thinking, branding, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in hands-on group projects addressing real challenges in their local communities. Ultimately, 19 participants completed their final projects and presented their ideas to a panel of experts. We celebrated the program’s completion with a cozy dinner in Berlin.
Political and social awareness
Learners explored societal challenges in Germany, political issues, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), connecting them to everyday life and opportunities for innovation.
Critical and innovative thinking
Participants examined barriers to inclusion and considered the role of technology, including AI, in building more inclusive societies.
Intercultural collaboration
Skills in teamwork, communication, and conflict management were strengthened, preparing participants to work effectively in diverse and intercultural settings.
Self-awareness and personal development
The program fostered confidence, time and resource management skills, and the ability to cultivate a constructive feedback culture.
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The program’s closing session brought together the learners with three panel experts, Isabela Pinto Ribeiro from ProjectTogether, Lisa Dürer from the Akademie für Ehrenamtlichkeit Deutschland, and Kiron’s own CEO, Wenke Christoph. Each team pitched a different social project, addressing issues from disinformation and attitudes toward migration to social polarization and loneliness. With the pitches centered around a shared desire to build more connected and supportive communities, all the presentations sparked thoughtful feedback and lively discussions with the panel.
Among the presenters was Angelika, who worked with her team on a project close to her heart, a platform for migrants aged 35 and older. Her group developed the concept, built a prototype website, and gave a compelling presentation. Though the idea is still in its early stages, Angelika hopes to continue working on it.
A few weeks after the pitching event, the cohort met again for a farewell dinner in Berlin. Certificates were handed out, and participants reflected on the experience and shared insights for the future.
Yelyzaveta, an architect from Ukraine, found the program bridged her professional experience with her growing interest in social impact.. “Even though I’ve led large architectural projects, I’ve rarely stepped outside my professional field,” she explained. “This program helped me broaden my horizons and see how architecture connects to climate, sustainability, and community development.” She’s now completing additional training in construction project management, a path that combines her technical background with her passion for building more inclusive and sustainable cities.
Sadaf, an Afghan migrant, described how Kiron’s NextGen Leaders reshaped her confidence and sense of direction. “Kiron has helped me grow personally and professionally,” she said. “It strengthened my leadership skills, gave me the confidence to speak up and take initiative, and deepened my understanding of social impact and community involvement.” Now looking for a job in finance, she says the biggest takeaway from the program was learning to “build bridges between different perspectives” and to lead with empathy.
For Angelika, the best part was the sense of community. “Over the course of many exciting online and offline sessions, we got to learn in an international group where we found like-minded people and new friends,” she said.
As the first round of Kiron’s NextGen Leaders comes to a close, we’re excited to see how the participants’ projects evolve and where their journeys take them next. The learners' insights and feedback have already shaped how we plan the next cohort, and we look forward to building on this foundation next year.
If you’re interested in joining the next cohort, you can learn more and sign up for the waitlist here!
Thank you to our partners, Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt, Indeed, and Apheon, for bringing Kiron’s NextGen Leaders program to life. Looking forward, if you’re an employer or professional interested in collaborating to foster opportunities for diverse young talent in Berlin, we’d love to hear from you at info@kiron.ngo.
