The EU elections are just at the corner. There are around 245 000 non-German EU citizens living in Berlin who can vote on 9 June. Some travel home, others vote at embassies or by post and not everyone knows that there is also the possibility to vote here for the German list.
Barbara Vid, one of our Board member at Give Something Back to Berlin is actively working on empowering EU citizen Berliners to go vote. She is also one of the co-founder of WahlheYmat, a civil organisation dedicated for co-creating a Berlin where everyone feels at home, where newcomers are actively participate in public, social and political life.
What is your (hi)story with GSBTB?
My journey with Give Something Back to Berlin started back in Budapest (Hungary), on my sofa. I was looking for volunteer opportunities as a good start to integrate into a new society. I deeply resonated with the mission and liked the innovative approach of GSBTB, so soon after arriving in Berlin in 2019, I joined some events as a volunteer. I rejoined in 2022 as a member of the expert team working on the next 10-year strategy, and in 2023 I became a member of the extended Board of Directors and have been supporting this work ever since.
GSBTB does amazing work, an exceptional team, extraordinary people, fantastic programmes that contribute to social inclusion in Berlin every day. I am honoured to be part of it.
We are not the only NGO you are active in. You are one of the co-founders of WahlheYmat. Can you tell us more about why you started it?
In Berlin, a quarter of the population, around 1 million people, do not have the right to vote. In ten years, around half of the population will be international. Meanwhile, anti-immigrant sentiment, polarisation and tensions are on the rise in Berlin, a city that is considered one of the most open and inclusive places in the world. In addition, as newcomers, we have also felt that it is difficult to fully arrive in the city, to feel a sense of belonging, to participate in public, social and political life.
We was curious why is it so and if there was anything we can contribute to change. We talked to our friends and people around us, and as they all validated our thoughts, we started to work more seriously.
What’s been happening so far? What are you working on?
We launched Wahlheymat on International Democracy Day, 15 September 2023. From that day onwards, we started to consciously meet with stakeholders from politics, business and civil society and learn about the ecosystem. We launched a monthly event, a dialogue format, the Wahlheymat Talks, and invited different guests to learn more about the challenge and the opportunities. We started building our community offline and online. 6 months later, on 15 February 2024, we founded our association with a diverse group.
We are dedicated to co-create a Berlin where everyone feels at home, where everyone feels respected, heard and equal regardless of their passport. We want to make our chosen hometown more inclusive, open and democratic – for natives and newcomers alike.
The key to this future is to activate the newcomers living in Berlin into political, public, social life. To co-create new structures, co-own them, so everyone can feel the sense of belonging. We want to unlock the unused potential of the 1 million people.
How does WahlheYmat contribute to the EU elections in Berlin?
With the support of the Landeszentrale für politische Bildung in Berlin, we are working to reach the 245 000 EU citizens living in Berlin and inform them about their electoral options, including voting for the German list. If you choose this option, you must register by 19 May. We have designed a handy infographic to simplify the steps about the registration process. We’ve contacted the international Facebook groups and other multiplicators, who can help spread the word. We also printed posters and place them in places where our target group is over-represented (international / national schools, shops, libraries etc.)
We also focus specifically on first-time voters. Probably very few people know that while the voting age in most EU countries is 18, in Germany it is 16. So there are hundreds of young people in the city who can not vote in their home country but can vote here. How cool is that?
Why is the EU important to you personally? And why is it important to participate in elections?
I was 15 when the Berlin Wall came down. As an Eastern European, joining the EU meant a lot to me. That was exactly 20 years ago, on 1 May 2004. I celebrated with a big party with my friends.
15 years later, in 2019, I left my country because of the social-political situation. I wanted to learn, experience democracy and get answers to what was happening in my country.
„We should never take democracy for granted.“ I highly recommend you watch this video to make sure you go to vote.
Where can people find more info about the EU elections?
Our website will guide you through the entire registration process.
Ad on this linktree you will find additional information.
Use your vote. Or others will decide for you.