About us

For strong youth group work. Worldwide.

Youngstars International is the umbrella organisation for promoting youth group work worldwide – meeting young people in their everyday challenges and strengthening their faith in an attractive, down-to-earth way.

Our vision

A network of youth group movements around the world.

Based on Christian values, with a transforming influence on society: we connect youth group leaders worldwide, equip them and build new movements. We believe that faith-based youth group work can change whole societies.

Values of Youngstars International: appreciation, resilience, community, faith, growth
Our story

From Juropa to Youngstars International

  1. 2004

    Started as the informal “Juropa” network – youth group leaders across Europe begin to exchange ideas.

  2. 2015

    Foundation of the association Youngstars International, based in St. Gallen.

  3. today

    13 organisations in 12 countries – from Switzerland to Cuba, from Romania to Brazil.

  4. Vision

    A network of youth group movements around the world – with 60 more countries in sight.

The people behind it

Leadership & communication

A small core team, a large network: the work is carried by hundreds of volunteers in every country.

Board

Portrait of Hensie van der Merwe

President

Hensie van der Merwe

Ukraine

Portrait of Viktoria Rüdiger

Secretary

Viktoria Rüdiger

Bulgaria

Portrait of Mirjam Klausberger

Treasurer

Mirjam Klausberger

Switzerland

Portrait of Jordelio Souza

Board Member

Jordelio Souza

Brazil

Portrait of Daniel Zinstag

Board Member

Daniel Zinstag

Switzerland

Staff

Portrait of Cosmin Tamas

Managing Director

Cosmin Tamas

Romania

Portrait of Marcel Klausberger

Communication

Marcel Klausberger

Switzerland

Portrait of Kathrin Bühler

Relationships

Kathrin Bühler

Switzerland

Portrait of Markus Sigrist

Accounting

Markus Sigrist

Switzerland

They are joined by the national leadership teams of the member organisations and hundreds of volunteers in training, accounting and design — the work is carried by a large network across all countries.

Get to know us.

Question, idea or interest in a partnership – we would love to hear from you.

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