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In August, just after the current iteration of the Introductory EA Program, EA Germany will host a retreat for around 30 to 40 participants. The event is targeted at people interested in Effective Altruism who are seeking to learn, connect, and collaborate, as well as any EA Community Builders.

Applications are open for the EA Germany Summer Retreat 2026!

A weekend to make real progress on your own EA path: rethinking your career, deepening your understanding, finding ways to contribute, and meeting people who care about the same things.

This event is for the people already familiar with EA's basics (through an Intro Program, meetups, or your own engagement) who share its guiding principles. Beyond that, come as you are. No need to be well-connected, already work in an EA field, give a talk, or speak German. EA Germany covers a large share of the cost, with sliding-scale contributions and travel support if you need it.

Full details here

Apply here! Not sure you can make it? Apply anyway and say so in the form!

(Note: the title image is from a different location, you can look at this iteration's venue here)

Overview

• Who is this event for? People interested in EA who have joined an Intro Program or engaged with EA in a similar way for a short or long time, and want to meet and discuss with like-minded people, as well as any Community Builders of EA groups.
• Accommodation: We offer 25 beds at the venue. Registered day guests are welcome, too. Please bring your own bedding; if you’re not able to, please let us know in the application form - the venue will charge 5€ for their bedding but might not have enough for everyone at the time.
• Food: The event does NOT have catering this time, but volunteers will buy and prepare fully vegan meals.
• Volunteering:
  • This event is fully volunteer-run and thus depends on everyone helping out
  • Ways to help out are: setup, getting groceries (paid by EAD), cooking (organizing a meal or helping out with the cooking), clean-up, post-event check
• Schedule:
  • Arrival: Friday from 2:30pm
  • Closing Session: Sunday 11am-12pm, afterwards lunch and clean-up/packing until 3pm
• Programme:
  • Talks, workshops, and plenty of time for conversations and socialising. More information will be available in a few weeks.
  • We encourage you to suggest programme ideas and contribute yourself! For example, starting a group morning run, organizing a meditation session or discussion group, or giving a short talk. 

What happens at the event?

• The main objective is for participants to make progress on their path to greater impact, e.g. by learning more about Effective Altruism, planning their future careers, finding volunteering opportunities, and connecting with like-minded people.
• Participant-driven EA content:
  • Participants are encouraged to contribute content to the event’s programme. You can suggest content in the participant guide.
  • There will be structured content such as talks and workshops and unstructured, informal discussions as well as time for private 1-1 conversations.
  • We will invite a few experts to cover major cause areas to help inform participants considering entering those fields.
• Space to relax & connect
  • In the mornings and evenings, there will be time for fun activities, to relax and get to know each other on a more personal level.
  • Feel free to also contribute content unrelated to Effective Altruism.

Here are some photos from previous EA retreats in Germany to get a better impression of the atmosphere.

Who is this event for?

We expect this retreat to be most beneficial for people who

• are familiar with the basics of EA (e.g. have participated in an Intro Program, went to local group meetups…)
• share the Guiding Principles of EA: Commitment to Help Others, Scientific Mindset, Openness, Integrity, Collaborative Spirit
• understand and speak English (no need to be perfect, though!)
• live in Germany

Participants do not need to

• know everything & everyone (this event might be particularly valuable if you’re not yet well-connected in the EA community)
• already work in EA cause areas, or even know what you would like to work on (this event can be particularly helpful if you’re undecided about your career & life plans)
• speak German (everyone speaks English)
• give a talk/workshop (programme contributions are encouraged but not required)

The EA community benefits from a diversity of backgrounds and beliefs, so non-German speakers and people from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.