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Evaluation of LADS Funding Programs – the State Program “Democracy. Diversity. Respect,” LGBTI-Specific Policies, and Anti-Discrimination and Diversity

Expert Group on Democracy Promotion and Democratic Practice

Project head: Dr. Sarah Berndt,  Dr. Olaf Kleist

Project team members: Brinda Heckmann,  Dr. Hanna Hoa Anh Mai,  Elena Manevic,  Eli Saß,  Adrian Schneider,  Dr. Iris Schwarzenbacher

Running time September 2026 until December 2027
Status Current project

The evaluation empirically examines the impact, achievement of objectives, and conceptual fit of three areas funded by the Berlin State Office for Equal Treatment – Against Discrimination (LADS): the state program “Democracy. Diversity. Respect. Against Right-Wing Extremism, Racism, and Antisemitism,” the funding instruments for LGBTI policy, and the funding pillar for anti-discrimination and diversity. Key questions address the rationale for action, target group reach, the impacts and sustainability of the projects, and whether the funding framework adequately addresses current societal challenges. Methodologically, a formative-summative mixed-methods approach combines context and impact modeling, a standardized comprehensive survey, in-depth impact case studies, and discussions with the steering committee.

Guiding research questions

What impacts do the funded projects have on target groups, target institutions, and target systems? To what extent do the funding areas achieve their respective and overarching goals – ranging from strengthening democracy and human rights to reducing queerphobia and transphobia, and eliminating discrimination based on the characteristics listed in the AGG/LADG?
Are the funding strategies and project formats suitable for effectively addressing the issues at hand – far-right extremism, antisemitism, racism, hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community, and discrimination – especially in light of current developments (shrinking civic spaces, digitalization/AI, dynamics of antisemitism and racism, and backlash against equality policies)?
Diversity and a democratic urban culture are what define Berlin—this evaluation examines how these can be effectively promoted and, in light of current challenges, supported even more effectively.
J. Olaf Kleist

The design is both formative and summative in nature and combines a summative impact assessment with interim findings that guide action. The study employs mixed methods appropriate to the subject matter, incorporating perspective and data triangulation. The project is covered by a series of interrelated work packages:

1. Context analysis: Focused discourse mapping (including shrinking civic spaces, right-wing extremism, antisemitism/racism since October 7, 2023, anti-queer sentiment/backlash, digitalization and AI, budgetary pressures), based on an analysis of scholarly literature and discourse, current empirical studies, and guided expert interviews.

2. Impact modeling and goal definition: Systematic document and secondary analysis (grant applications, fact sheets, guidelines, action plans, state strategy) to derive sector-specific logical impact models and indicators.

3. Standardized online survey: Comprehensive survey of all funded projects, featuring a cross-sectoral core section and sector-specific modules; (partially) participatory instrument development with selected implementing organizations and specialized agencies.

4. Impact case studies: Projects selected via theoretical sampling across all funding areas will be examined for impact and goal achievement through guided interviews, brief interviews with cooperation partners, and participant observation or interviews with target groups.

Results will be validated at a participatory expert workshop and published in a final report.

Funding: State of Berlin – Senate Department for Labour, Social Services, Gender Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination (Third-party funding)