How the Community becomes a Community

1. „The Marzahn NordWest experience“ Susanne Gontard (neighborhood council speaker) Victoria Loprieno (neighborhood manager) How the Community becomes a Community Recommendations Introducing Marzahn NordWest THE END Our neighborhood council – how it works The neighborhood management program in Berlin Projects START Our neighborhood council – what makes it work 1

2. „The Marzahn NordWest experience“ How the Community becomes a Community Introducing Marzahn NordWest Recommendations Our neighborhood council – how it works THE END The neighborhood management program in Berlin Projects START Our neighborhood council – what makes it work 2

3. Introducing Marzahn NordWest

4. Introducing Marzahn NordWest • Built from 1983-1989 • Part of largest housing estate made of prefabricated concrete • 23,459 residents, 21,9 % are immigrants (Russian, Vietnamese, Polish, Roma …) • Increasing diversity (refugees, „transmigrants“) • 34,28% of residents receive welfare benefits, 56,52% of children • Long history of identification, participation, „self-building“, civil disobedience of residents (reconstruction process)

5. Introducing Marzahn NordWest: Reconstruction 2005 1986

6. Introducing Marzahn NordWest: demographic change Quelle: Bezirksamt Marzahn-Hellersdorf von Berlin 6

7. Introducing Marzahn NordWest: Impressions

8. „The Marzahn NordWest experience“ How the Community becomes a Community Introducing Marzahn NordWest Recommendations Our neighborhood council – how it works THE END The neighborhood management program in Berlin Projects START Our neighborhood council – what makes it work 8

9. The Neighborhood Management Program in Berlin • Our main goal: „to improve social cohesion and integration of all groups of the population“ • Our instrument: Neighborhood management program (since 1999) • Active in 34 socially disadvantaged neighborhoods of Berlin • Temporary program, geared towards structural change → volunteering is the key to keeping its results alive! We coordinate We consult We build networks We activate We support We mediate We promote 9

10. The Neighborhood Management Program in Berlin: the 4-Gear Structure (Total: 17 Mill. €) 10

11. „The Marzahn NordWest experience“ How the Community becomes a Community Introducing Marzahn NordWest Recommendations Our neighborhood council – how it works THE END The neighborhood management program in Berlin Projects START Our neighborhood council – what makes it work 11

12. Our Neighborhood Council: How it Works • 15 – 25 Persons • Minimum 51% residents (100% in action fund jury) • Stakeholders from the neighborhood (i.e. Schools, day care, youth & community centers) Council's tasks: •activates •informs •multiplies •participates in decision-making •accompanies projects (new!) •lobbies political decision-makers (new!) istockphoto.com Work structure: •regular meetings •active work in projects (new!) •new forms of dialogue with residents (new!) • Requirements: • Resident of the neighborhood • At least 16 years old 12

13. „The Marzahn NordWest experience“ How the Community becomes a Community Introducing Marzahn NordWest Recommendations Our neighborhood council – how it works THE END The neighborhood management program in Berlin Projects START Our neighborhood council – what makes it work 13

14. Our neighborhood council: What makes it Work Multiple roles • Promotes the interests of residents • Acts as counsel for problems of residents • Makes issues visible & transparent, raises its voice • Practical help for projects • Gets involved! • Close ties to neighborhood management projects • Votes for projects within the program • Supports projects • Mediator between project implementators and neighborhood council • Empowerment beyond the program • Round table for residents • Volunteer support for local organizations and initiatives • Lobby work for the neighborhood • Room for growth! 14

15. „The Marzahn NordWest experience“ How the Community becomes a Community Introducing Marzahn NordWest Recommendations Our neighborhood council – how it works THE END The neighborhood management program in Berlin Projects START Our neighborhood council – what makes it work 15

16. Recommendations • Active promotion and personal approach • Promote self-organization and growth beyond the limits of city development programs • Foster close personal ties among neighborhood council members and projects • Encourage hands-on practical work within projects • Support historical and biographical research and community identity-building • Provide funds to be managed independently

17. Projects: Christmas in Marzahn NordWest (action fund)

18. Projects: „Kulturenhochhaus“ (Culture Skyskraper, project fund) Guest house project designed and run by proud children and young people, café and youth center – come visit! (www.kulturhochhaus-marzahn.de) Coming up in autumn 2017: • Neighborhood coordination and support for elderly people • Mobile skating ramps – project developed with young people

19. Projects: Exercise for Everyone (construction fund)

20. Thank you for listening! Any questions? http://www.stereopoly.de