What does in short this project-framework look like? How develops participation beyond talking as well as community-spirit? Who can use this procedure and who stands behind the process-coaching- and qualification-program?

WHAT?

“Enough words have been exchanged;
now at last let me see some deeds!”
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

Description: The Gemeinsinn-Werkstatt is a suitable procedure for all people who want to improve their present situation and to realize greater objectives together. It is a project-framework that helps

• approaching complex issues in a structured, motivated and self-organized way.

• finding many partners for networking

• realizing sustainable solutions to the issue.

A Real-Life-Story: In 2001 a professor of the institute for educational sciences was interested in the new large-group procedure and saw a chance to improve cooperation within the university.  With the support of the Gemeinsinn-Werkstatt,they not only succeeded in achieving mid-term results, but also in developing an informal Gemeinsinn-Netzwerk that spans the university’s functions, enhancing cooperation. (Community-Spirit-Network)

Application-Fields: The participation approach has been employed in various contexts and with a wide range of issues. Projects last from six months up to three years, involve all interested people – going beyond hierarchies, generations and interest groups: a real investment in civic engagement. Areas for community-spirit-processes are

• facilitation-networks

• communal and social work

• political and voluntary engagement

• youth work and school-development

• educational and science-projects and initiatives

• innovation at traditional institutions

• organizational and corporate development…

Purpose: To address complex issues within the framework of a large-group-project involving different people in a structured, motivated and self-organised way.

Outcomes:

• Generates open-minded initiators and participants

• Enhanced voluntary engagement and responsibility for each other

• Better cooperation and synergy among institutions

• Optimises use of human and material resources

• Supports sustainable networking processes and method-knowledge as a basis for further projects.

WHO?

Participants: Gemeinsinn-Werkstatt deals with bigger networking-processes with at least 27 participants to an open number.

Initiators: There are several circles who initiate a Gemeinsinn-Werkstatt on different levels (compare the process-image in “participation”):

• Initiative circle: key figures from diverse interest groups, responsible for the project framework

• Project circle: the co-ordinators who work as volunteers, honorary of full-time supporting the framework

• Event circles: Participants of at least two large-group-events, and

• Action circles: Participants who develop their various self-responsible action groups.

Sources: Created in a project of the Bertelsmann Foundation with the Center for Applied Policy Research (2000-2004) by Wolfgang Faenderl in cooperation with the Support-Network of consultants, researchers and facilitators

Netzwerk-Gemeinsinn meeting 2003

HOW?

Gemeinsinn-Werkstatt-Framework:

• Gemeinsinn concept: A practical research project develops the principles of social consciousness, social abilities and social engagement.

• Project procedure: A transparent process design with flexible elements of consulting, management and large-group methods in a building-block-system.

• Support Network: Process consultants support participation processes and public events, offering training and further developing the methodology.

Characteristics:

• Referring to other participation-processes, the effectiveness of a one-hour-engagement in the initiative- or project-circle of a Gemeinsinn-Werkstatt can promote voluntary engagement about 8 times more, on a self-organised basis in event- and action-circles.

• The efficiency of work is much higher, if people are involved on the basis of intrinsic motivation, and in a self-organised and meaningful manner. Therefore the climate of cooperation is essential for the results!

• The cooperation in a Gemeinsinn-Werkstatt is much more transparent and open than in other processes. Especially the integration-phase at the end of a project shows a differentiated picture of the human gains below the surface of mere project-results.

• The real gain of the process can only be measured in the long run: some years after the project has ended. If there are still lasting effects like orientation and common visions on the subject, developed and linked qualifications among the participants, improved contacts and an appreciative climate of cooperation between different groups… only then the participation process was really successful.

When to use:

• When there is an urgent issue and many are willing to act

• When many individuals and organisations volunteer

• When existing conflicts can be dealt with in a constructive manner

When not to use:

• When dealing with a short-term issue, routine work or well defined projects

• When key participants are excluded

• When cooperation is impossible