Borderball 2025
Pushing boundaries in glanerbrug
At a time when social divisions are increasingly visible, Borderball 2025 proved that mutual understanding and European solidarity are alive and well. On 27, 28 and 29 June, the third edition of this unique cross-border festival took place on the border in Glanerbrug. With 121 participants – including 61 from Germany and 55 from the Netherlands – the weekend was a powerful example of how sport, dialogue and fun can bring people together.
Making cooperation tangible
Under inspiring guidance from prominent guests such as Harry Rogge (member of Eurogeo, an NGO affiliated to the Council of Europe) and Mels Klabbers (chairman Volt Europa), participants got an insight into the meaning of European cooperation. Their contributions called for more involvement in cross-border democracy, focusing on the importance of local cooperation and citizen participation.
The festival was a living laboratory for European unity, where borders between people – and not just between countries – blurred.
Activities full of meeting and deepening
Throughout the weekend, participants came together in a colourful mix of sports, education and relaxation. Some highlights:
- Interactive workshops on artificial intelligence, gender roles, agricultural issues and ‘Europe for Dummies’
- Joint sports activities, including volleyball tournaments and an accessible mini-triathlon
- Public action on the border welcoming passers-by with Dutch cheese and a German sandwich.
- Policy hackathon: Dutch and German local policymakers worked together on concrete solutions for border regions
- Folk dance, live music and barbecue under a starry sky, providing space for informal conversations
- Child-friendly camping weekend where families felt at home
The informal setting provided space for encounters between people of different ages, backgrounds and political affiliations – a reflection of the Europe we want to build.
Insight and inspiration for the municipal elections
With municipal elections looming in North Rhine-Westphalia (14 September 2025), the Netherlands (18 March 2026) and Lower Saxony (September 2026), we organised thematic policy sessions. Local political teams shared practical examples from their election programmes and examined topics such as housing, climate, mobility and citizen participation. The central questions: What issues are at play on both sides of the border? How can municipalities learn from each other? And how can they reinforce each other’s success stories?
Why Borderball matters
Borderball stands for pushing boundaries – literally and figuratively. Especially at a time when divisions often prevail, this three-day event shows that it is possible to talk to each other, work together and even party together. The third edition underlined the importance of meetings between citizens, policymakers and experts, and literally brought Europe to the sports fields.
Made possible by the Interreg programme Deutschland-Nederland and its programme partners, Borderball 2025 was co-funded by the European Union (EU) and regional partners from Achterhoek, Twente, Osnabrücker Land and Münsterland. Their support allowed the festival to grow into a place where engagement, fun and European ideas came together.
Programme
Friday June 27th
Start Building Up
11:00 – 12:00
Camping Terrain Opens
13:00 – 17:00
Barbecue!
18:00 – 20:30
Sports, MeetUps and Chill
20.30 – 24.00
Saturday June 28th
Breakfast (clubhouse)
07.30 – 08.30
Opening by Mels Klabbers
co-president of the board of Volt Europe
09:30 – 10:00
‘Europe for dummies’
by Harry Rogge, member Council of Europe and Eurogeo
10:00 – 11.30
Sports and Chill
10:00- 11:30
Lunch
12:00 – 12:30
Opening Afternoon Programme by Erik Kemp
12:30 – 13:00
European Defence
by Oliver Müller-Hammerschmidt and Volt DefCom
13:00 – 13:45 Tent ∝
From Idea to Impact
Design a poster that truly hits home
by Anna Kaal
13:00 – 13:45 Tent ß
Same but different
perspectives on Volt Netherlands and Volt Germany
by Sophie Kleber
13:00 – 13:45 Tent γ
Language corner with Diana Diel
13:45 – 14:30
Sports – Volleybal, Badminton
13:45 – 14:30
How do you deal with AI ?
by Erik Kemp
14:30 – 15:15 Tent ∝
Gender roles across borders
by Dorothe Stahljans & Anna Kaal
14:30 – 15:15 Tent ß
Volt AgriCom part 1:
A European vision for agriculture?
by Fons Janssen
14:30 – 15:15 Canteen
Language corner with Diana Diel
15:15 – 16:00
Sports – Volleybal, Badminton
15:15 – 16:00
Crossborder Water Management
by Maren Jabs
16:00 – 16:45 Tent ∝
Campaigning across borders
by Bram Kamp
16:00 – 16:45 Tent ß
Volt AgriCom part 2: An Open conversation on the future of agriculture
Fons Janssen 16:00-16:45 Tent γ
Language corner with Diana Diel
16:45 – 17:30
Sports – Volleybal, Badminton
16:45 – 17:30
Folk Dancing
17:30 – 18:30
Diner
18:30 – 20:00
Sunday June 29th
Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30
Transport to Gronau for Triathlon – 08:30
Triathlon – Swimming, Running and Cycling
09:00 – 11:00
Public Action at the Border
09:00 – 11:00
Policy Session – Poverty policy
11:00 – 14:00
Policy Session – IT in the municipality
11:00 – 14:00
Policy Session – Housing
11:00 – 14:00
Lunch
12:30 – 13:00
Clean Up and Departure
15:00 – 17:00
