Metropolitan Regions Project: Networks for the Future 2025–2026
The Metropolitan Regions Project aims to bring together local religious communities, civic partners and international network contacts to celebrate their shared contribution to inter-religious dialogue, sustainability and the common good. Based in Berlin, the project connects metropolitan regions across Europe to explore how faith communities can strengthen social cohesion and foster democratic urban development. It supports and professionalizes many actors already engaged in interreligious dialogue and cooperation in the city.
At the heart of the project are our commitments to sustainability, inclusivity and visibility. By building strong networks and making interfaith work more accessible to the public, we aim to empower those involved while making the best use of shared resources. Together, we are building bridges between communities, cities and people – creating strong networks for a peaceful and sustainable urban future. To deliver on these promises, the project current focus is on four main action areas:
- International Interreligious Social Media Group – 1-2 December 2025
A group of young people from different religious backgrounds will meet in Berlin. The groups aim is to raise awareness of the perspectives and commitments of young interfaith actors and to encourage their active participation in religion-related discourse. - Joint Days of Action “Religion in the City” – 16-18 June 2026
Under the theme “Discover Special Places”, religious communities across Berlin will open their doors to schools. Together with the Berlin Forum of Religions and participating institutions, we want to create a city-wide event, where young people can experience the inter-faith cooperation firsthand by taking part in excursion events and learning from passionate members of local communities - International Week of Action on Religion – 15-19 June 2026
Framing the Joint Days of Action, this week will welcome guests from partner metropolitan regions and invite them to take part in workshops, networking meetings, excursions and public events. It will serve as a place for professional exchange and joint project planning, bringing people together in hope that the knowledge and connections they acquire will later benefit their communities across Germany and Europe. - Creation of a digital platform – “Religion in Berlin”
The Forum’s Dialogue of Religions for Children and Youth (DiReKiJu) group is developing a qualification programme to support full-time and volunteer hosts representing their religious communities. Experienced religious educators will lead training sessions to prepare teams for these interactive excursions. An online portal will then be created to showcase the developed excursion formats at places of worship across Berlin, providing accessible opportunities for people to learn about diverse faith traditions and connect with interreligious initiatives. The “Religion in Berlin” digital portal will make all event information easily accessible to schools and the public while serving as a long-term interfaith education resource in Berlin.
The Metropolitan Regions Project is supported by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.
Planning group: Sandra Lenke (Project management), Johanna Emig (Project assistant and Young Forum of Religions), Yelyzaveta Hriza (Intern assistant), Silke Lechner (Deputy Commissioner for Churches, Religious and Worldview Communities of the Senate Department)
