Our Mission – ZA Aktiv EV

We are ZA

A just and inclusive organization where every child and young person has equal rights, access to quality education and opportunities, and the freedom to fully develop their potential.

WHAT IS ZA?

ZA e.V. is a Berlin-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering children and young people, particularly those in vulnerable situations, while safeguarding their fundamental rights. The purpose of the association is to promote and protect the rights of children and young people in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), as well as to support them in the areas of education, learning, healthcare, personal development, and social participation.

We believe that every child and young person, regardless of background or circumstances, deserves access to education, healthcare, and meaningful opportunities to fully participate in society.

Through inclusive programs, cultural and creative initiatives, international exchanges, and mentorship, we create safe and supportive spaces where children and young people can grow, develop, and build a future full of opportunities. Working closely with families, schools, communities, and partner organizations, we aim to foster a society rooted in opportunity, respect, and solidarity; a society where no one is left behind.

OUR MISSION

ZA is committed to protecting, supporting, and empowering children and young people, especially those in vulnerable situations. Education forms the core of our work and the foundation for equal opportunities for every child and young person. We are strongly dedicated to advancing the rights, confidence, education, and leadership of girls, ensuring they have equal opportunities with boys to thrive and shape their future.

Through mentorship, cultural exchange, and safe, inclusive programs, we create opportunities for development and participation. Working closely with families, schools, and communities, we strive to ensure that no child is left behind and every young person has the chance to thrive.

Children

Our goal is to expand access to education, safety, and personal development for at least 300 children in the first year.

Teenagers

We aim to support over 200 young people through leadership, participation, and mentorship programs that help them shape their own future.

Families

By working closely with families, we seek to build strong, supportive environments where every child and young person feels valued and heard.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to ensure equal access to education, healthcare, and personal development opportunities for every child and young person, regardless of their background.

Empowering the next generation lies at the heart of our mission, encouraging young people to take active roles in decisions that shape their lives and to develop leadership, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

Guided by these values, ZA is committed to building safe, inclusive, and supportive communities where every child feels valued, respected, and heard. Through these efforts, we contribute to a fair, compassionate, and united society; a society where no one is left behind.

Mike Schubert

Former Mayor of Potsdam

Many years ago, when I served as a soldier with KFOR in Kosovo, I experienced a country still deeply shaped by the consequences of war. It is all the more impressive to see the progress that has been achieved since then. What remains crucial for the future is that children and young people are given real opportunities. Initiatives like ZA Aktiv make an important and hopeful contribution to this.

Petrit Halilaj

Visual Artist

I, Petrit Halilaj, through my work on various projects, and above all through my focus on childhood, schools, and the Abetare project, have had the opportunity to closely observe just how much the world of children needs attention, care, and support. It is there that hopes for the future reside. It is there that freedom lives. It is there that imagination, dreams, and the beauty that inspires us all begin.

I witness this in drawings, in messages, and in the scribbles on school desks, in Runik, in Kosovo, and across the Balkans. These are small traces, yet profoundly powerful ones, reminding us how important it is to listen to the world of children and to take it seriously. We know that education must be liberated, opened up, and developed with greater care, love, and imagination. Therefore, initiatives such as this one by ZA Aktiv e.V. and Resmije Kurbogaj-Ajeti are truly encouraging for all of us.

ESRA

Believing in the Power of Youth Voices

I am a fashion design graduate currently pursuing my master’s degree, and I truly believe in the power of children’s and young people’s voices. For me, ZA is a space where we can be heard, grow, and feel supported. I joined ZA because I want to learn, contribute, and be part of meaningful change. I imagine a community where every young person feels valued, included, and empowered to shape their own future.

FREDERIK

Creating a Safe Space for Expression

I am a trained musician, and I see ZA as an answer to a real need: a safe, supportive environment where young people can build confidence and develop their talents. I hope ZA becomes a strong VOICE for all children and youth who don’t know how-or cannot express themselves. I believe that ZA can create a culture of collaboration, motivation, and inclusion; one that brings long-term positive change to our community.

VESA

Guiding Youth Toward Growth

With an MA in Music Education and experience as a lower secondary school teacher, I know how important it is for young people to feel heard and supported. For me, ZA represents a guiding space that offers opportunities for creativity, learning, and personal development. I believe ZA will encourage cooperation, responsibility, and a culture of inclusion, becoming a positive force in our community.

VIOLA

Turning Ideas Into Action

I am a medical student and a former member of the Respect Our Rights youth group, and I believe that every young voice has the potential to create change. For me, ZA is the place where ideas meet action. A space where we can transform our energy and creativity into real impact. I hope ZA inspires collaboration, innovation, and projects that truly reach people. I believe young people shouldn’t just wait for the future; we should be active shapers of change today.

OUR CORE VALUES

At ZA, our work is guided by values that put children and young people at the center of everything we do. We believe in equality, ensuring that every child has the same opportunities to learn and grow. We stand for inclusion, creating spaces where all voices are welcomed and respected. We are committed to empowerment, giving children and youth the tools and confidence to shape their own future. And above all, we act with integrity and solidarity, building trust through collaboration with families, schools, and communities.

Inclusion & Equal Rights

Creating an inclusive environment where every child and young person, regardless of background, is respected and supported.

Education & Opportunities

We support access to quality education, mentorship, and personal development, helping young people build a safe and promising future.

Health & Wellbeing

We advocate for the protection of children’s fundamental rights, including access to healthcare and safe spaces for growth.

Active Participation

Working hand in hand with families, schools, and partner organizations to foster a society rooted in respect, equal opportunity, and shared responsibility.

The right place for young people

we love what we do

Connect with us

Be part of a movement that gives every child and young person the chance to be heard, valued, and supported.

Collaborate

Whether you’re a school, organization, parent, or professional, we welcome partnerships that strengthen our mission.

Stay Informed

Follow us for updates about our programs, events, and ways to get involved. Together, we turn ideas into action and voices into change.