Transborder Summer Camps

Brief history from 2019 and 2022 to 2025

From its very beginning, the TSC mobilization followed the approach to invite from network to network, from group to group and from friends to friends. It was never a wider published event, rather mutual trust and commitment in practical solidarity were the main criteria to get invited and to join.
While in 2019 it was still a tiny organizational team to prepare the first edition, already about 500 activists came together in the ZAD, an autonomous space near Nantes in the West of France. As the common evaluation of the first TSC was very positive — see also the brochure from 2019 here — it was soon decided to organize it again in a three-year cycle, so in 2022.

The message and invitation for TSC II in 2022 circulated in additional networks and groups. For the 2nd edition also more people participated in the preparation process, several subgroups have been built to organize the camp in a more structured way. About 800 activists finally joined the camp, which took place again in the ZAD and which was carried once more in the same spirit as the TSC I. Again the exchange and networking were very fruitful, the face-to-face discussions — after the challenging period with less physical meetings through COVID-19 — even more important. From a logistical point of view, it was clear that we have reached a limit in numbers.

For the planning for 2025 it was first open, if we would find and choose another space and region for TSC III. But finally, we decided again to come back to the ZAD, where we know the conditions and where we have the good experiences and nice memories.

For 2025 the orga-team started already one year in advance and many more activists from different background joined its preparation. To extend the diversity of the participating groups and to invite more self organized initiatives was defined as a priority. In dozens of signal group chats, the work-sharing on logistical tasks and the preparation of the program have been tackled in a more collective way. These efforts have set the ground for another inspiring and empowering Get-Together in August 2025.

Mutual empowerment and successful networking: this is what — after 2019 and 2002 — the third Transborder Summer Camp stands for again. Around 700 activists from solidarity projects along the migration routes and from all kinds of anti-racist struggles came together for five days with dozens of workshops and countless informal meetings – a practical exchange in a strong transnational composition. ‘The building and extension of infrastructures for freedom of movement’ was once again a central theme for many workshops on solidarity projects for people on the move. Ten different emergency hotlines – from Alarm Phone Sahara to the hotline on the Polish-Belarusian border – came together to exchange experiences, while particular gender and LGBTQI+ perspectives were discussed. Tunisian mothers and fathers of missing and drowned people at the external borders were once again present to take stock of transnational commemorative actions – CommemorActions. And, while a highly visible permanent memorial was being set up in the centre of the camp, they joined forces for the first time with relatives who have lost their loved ones through racist police violence within Europe. Resistance to deportations and detentions, against the criminalisation of migration and struggles for the right to stay and for regularisation were other main topics on the agenda. Cross over debates — like migration and climate justice or on migrant labour — took place, while struggles in countries of origin and transit were a topic as well. Finally, the camp was a perfect space to re-discuss and to promote the transnational chain of actions, which started a few weeks later regarding 10 years summer of migration.

In the closing plenary session, numerous participants emphasized how inspiring and encouraging they found this gathering again. Further assessments and reports from the various working groups will follow in the coming months.