What We Learned from the Ideas Workshop

What does a good civic engagement platform for Berlin need? We didn’t answer this question on our own; instead, we discussed it with volunteers, organizations, networks, and experts. Through workshops, brainstorming sessions, and discussions, we gained many important insights. Here, we share what we’ve learned—and what’s next.

Many volunteers are looking for more guidance: Where can I find reliable information? Which opportunities are right for me? That’s why this platform is designed to be a clear starting point for volunteer work in Berlin. It brings together existing content, organizes it clearly, and explains key connections.

To that end, we develop short guides, offer strategic advice, and point people toward reliable counseling services. The platform doesn’t replace anything—it complements and connects.

To ensure that the platform not only provides information but also offers real help, we want to focus on one or two key topics. Two areas were mentioned particularly often in the ideas workshop: professional development and counseling , as well as networking among active members .

Both topics involve technical challenges—such as personalization, search filters, user profiles, and community management. Before we implement these features, we’ll assess what’s realistic. The goal is to create a platform that offers real added value—not just an empty promise.

The platform is intended to appeal to everyone who is actively involved—but especially to two groups:

1. Small and new organizations

They often have little time, limited staff, and are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. The platform is designed to provide them with targeted assistance: through easy-to-understand guides, verified sources, and clear navigation.

2. Larger organizations and networks

There is sometimes concern here that a new platform might displace existing resources. But that is exactly what we want to avoid. We aim to foster collaboration, provide targeted links, and highlight existing resources.

There are many good continuing education opportunities—but it’s often hard to get an overview. Participants in the Ideas Workshop would like to see:

• Search filters (e.g., topic, price, duration, format)
• Personalization (e.g., wish list, recommendations, notifications)
• Accessibility & multilingual support
• High-quality content & reliable providers

The key isn’t to create more offerings—but to make existing ones easier to find. Quality and relevance also play a major role. Here, the platform can serve as a strong guide.

There is little need for new event formats—newsletters, mailing lists, and existing networks work well. The situation is different when it comes to exchange : Many people would like to have spaces where strategic issues related to civic engagement can be discussed.

We’re still evaluating whether such a digital platform for discussion would be useful and feasible—possibly in collaboration with existing initiatives.

Funding for projects is available—but getting it is often complicated. The biggest challenge isn’t finding grants, but submitting the application.

Smaller organizations, in particular, often reach their limits here. That’s why we want to help with this platform:

• by providing simple guides
• by providing links to advisory services
• through strategic guidance

Our goal: less frustration, more clarity.

It became clear that many small initiatives are unable to find suitable spaces. However, the problem cannot be solved by a platform alone. During the discussion, it became clear that we need to think beyond volunteer work—for example, by considering public spaces that stand empty in the evenings.

A digital directory with filtering options, contact information, and verified details can help. Important: The platform can only provide information; it cannot manage the spaces itself.

The ideas workshop has shown that a good volunteer platform must do more than simply serve as a collection of links. It should provide guidance, foster connections, highlight gaps—and offer help where there are genuine needs.

The goal is not to replace existing offerings, but to connect them more closely. After all, volunteerism thrives on exchange—and that is exactly what we want to make possible.