Jun 03 - Jun 13, 2024Bonn Climate Change Conference - SB60
Credits: Benita Münster
We are looking for people who can host international climate activists!
We support young climate activists, in attending the Bonn Climate Change Conference by organising a bedexchange so that young activists can stay cost-free in Bonn for the time of the conference.
2nd May 2024 at 7pm: Information Event for Hosts
Credit: UN climate change
What is the SB60?
The SB60, also named Bonn Climate Change Conference, takes place every June in Bonn at the World Conference Centre to prepare the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), the biggest Climate Conference in the World.
Delegates from several countries, members from NGOs and other civil organisations, activists and lobbyists from around the world are attending the SB Conferences every year to negotiate about coordinated climate action worldwide.
Delegates from several countries, members from NGOs and other civil organisations, activists and lobbyists from around the world are attending the SB Conferences every year to negotiate about coordinated climate action worldwide.
Credits: Benita Münster
What is Bedexchange?
The BedExchange Platform is an initiative from Fridays For Future Bonn and Klimadelegation e.V. that aims to connect young climate activists from around the world with generous local hosts, willing to offer them a place to stay for free during the Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB60).
Many young climate activists from around the world are expected to attend the SB60 in Bonn. Given their typically tight budgets and the high cost of accommodations, visa requirements and daily expenses, they require affordable lodging options to be able to participate in the conference. Most activists are accredited for the conference, granting them permission to attend and influence decision-making processes. It is particularly crucial for activists from the Global South to participate, as their voices are often marginalized or overlooked.
Therefore, we are looking for volunteers in Bonn who are willing to host activists during their stay in the city and make it possible for them to attend the conference.
Many young climate activists from around the world are expected to attend the SB60 in Bonn. Given their typically tight budgets and the high cost of accommodations, visa requirements and daily expenses, they require affordable lodging options to be able to participate in the conference. Most activists are accredited for the conference, granting them permission to attend and influence decision-making processes. It is particularly crucial for activists from the Global South to participate, as their voices are often marginalized or overlooked.
Therefore, we are looking for volunteers in Bonn who are willing to host activists during their stay in the city and make it possible for them to attend the conference.
Credits: Benita Münster
How does Bedexchange work?
Our aim is to offer as many activists as possible an accomodation for the SB by organising this bedexchange.
We therefore have created this platform where young activists from around the world coming to Bonn and potential hosts living in and close to Bonn can register to seek or offer free accomodation.
The hosts can offer whatever is possible as accomodation, be it a sofa, a bed, a complete room, an air mattress or even only space for an air matress. The host is not obligated to offer anything more than a free place to sleep, all other offers like meals are completly optional. In the first weeks of May we will match the first guests with their hosts manually and you will get the contact information of your host/guest. More matching rounds will follow until the beginning of June, so we can hopefully accomodate as many activists as possible.
We therefore have created this platform where young activists from around the world coming to Bonn and potential hosts living in and close to Bonn can register to seek or offer free accomodation.
The hosts can offer whatever is possible as accomodation, be it a sofa, a bed, a complete room, an air mattress or even only space for an air matress. The host is not obligated to offer anything more than a free place to sleep, all other offers like meals are completly optional. In the first weeks of May we will match the first guests with their hosts manually and you will get the contact information of your host/guest. More matching rounds will follow until the beginning of June, so we can hopefully accomodate as many activists as possible.
Credits: Benita Münster
How can I take part in the Bedexchange?
We are looking for as many hosts as possible to help a great number of activists access the conference. Everyone who can offer a place to sleep, be it a whole room or even space for an airmetress for the whole lenght of the conference or for only a few days is welcomed! The bedexchange is not only a great chance to help young activists from around the world access to the important climate change conference but also a chance to meet a young person from the other side of the world.
To take part in the bedexchange, just click on the button "Register as a host" oder "Register as a guest" and fill in the form.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
To take part in the bedexchange, just click on the button "Register as a host" oder "Register as a guest" and fill in the form.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
Credits: Kiara Worth
How does the matching process work?
Throughout the registration process, you'll be asked to respond to various questions such as the type of accommodation you can provide and your availability dates.
Once you complete the registration and you have received the confirmation email, you'll be officially registered as a host. Starting from May on, the activists will be matched with hosts in several rounds. Once we pair hosts with their guests, we'll promptly send you information on how to get in touch with your assigned guest/host. We place activists with hosts regarding their resprective needs and wishes and we follow a certain priority guideline, which activists will be matched first (see "How it works")
Once you complete the registration and you have received the confirmation email, you'll be officially registered as a host. Starting from May on, the activists will be matched with hosts in several rounds. Once we pair hosts with their guests, we'll promptly send you information on how to get in touch with your assigned guest/host. We place activists with hosts regarding their resprective needs and wishes and we follow a certain priority guideline, which activists will be matched first (see "How it works")
Further information
Frequently Asked QuestionsTestimonials
Brigitte Host
"Thanks to my guest from Mali, I got to know a country in Africa in a different way than through politics and the news, more humanly, so to speak; there were no problems with the accommodation, she was very polite, friendly and clean.
Unfortunately, there was too little opportunity for joint activities or even just a meal together because the time pressure from the conference was very high. I'm already looking forward to the next opportunity to meet people from other parts of the world."
U. Host
"The best thing was that you, as BedExchange team, sent the addresses of my guest soon enough so that J. and I had a good lead-in getting to know each other.
J. came from India and of course there was a lot of dialogue about our different lifestyles - with an age difference of over 50 years, which was more interesting than "off-putting".
When J. came home, we discussed climate policy late into the night, looked through photo albums from my life, our heads were spinning and the laughter and storytelling never stopped. One highlight was going to the cinema together, fortunately in English, so that we could enjoy it together, including the beer in the beer garden afterwards. It was a great experience, with tears of farewell and hope for a reunion."
Aaron Host
"The bed exchange is a simple and effective way to support young activists from all over the world. We accommodated a total of 2 people who were travelling a lot during the day.
We had an uncomplicated relationship, had a good chat and otherwise everyone did their own thing.
We'd be happy to take part again as a flat share, the organisation was easy. A great idea!"
Ada Host
"We had an exciting time with our Ukrainian guest Lera. There was a lot of dialogue about climate policy and conferences, activism, Bonn and the different circumstances in our countries of origin.
Of course, the insight into the conference and the activities surrounding it was also particularly interesting.
All in all, the BedExchange is a wonderful opportunity to get to know international activists and give them the chance to take part in SB58.
I'll be back next year :)"