Needs of regular systems and threatened civil society organisations in the area of "Vielfaltgestaltung" (federal programme "Demokratie leben!")

The project focuses on assessing the existing scientific evidence concerning the needs of mainstream institutions with regard to group-focused enmity and diversity management. In addition, it investigates the general and specific threats faced by civil society organizations working in the field of diversity.

At present, there is only limited or insufficiently systematized knowledge available in both areas. Existing findings are often broad—for example, addressing the entire field of action rather than specific topics—which makes translating them into practical measures considerably more difficult.

The results are intended to support the more targeted design of democracy promotion and projects addressing GFE and diversity within the federal programme Demokratie leben! ("Live Democracy!"), enabling methods and approaches to be tailored more effectively to actual needs. Furthermore, the project seeks to establish a knowledge base for potential monitoring of needs related to GFE and diversity management within mainstream institutions.

Diversity and group-focused enmity are increasingly recognized as cross-cutting societal challenges affecting all areas of life structurally. This also applies to key institutions essential to democratic society, such as schools, youth welfare offices, public administrations, police authorities, and civil society organizations. Civil society organizations—particularly those combating GFE or representing groups affected by it—are themselves often exposed to hate, hostility, and violence.

Federal programmes such as Demokratie leben! address structural discrimination comprehensively, with the goal of sustainably transferring innovative approaches for reducing GFE and strengthening diversity into mainstream institutions. However, research shows that the actual needs of these institutions regarding GFE and diversity have so far only been inadequately documented and insufficiently systematized. The same applies to the extent and nature of threats faced by civil society organizations, including organizations representing affected groups.

Moreover, studies in the field of diversity management do not always differentiate between specific thematic areas such as antisemitism, antigypsyism, discrimination against LGBTIQ* people, or different forms of racism (anti-Asian, anti-Muslim, anti-Black, etc.).

There is therefore a need for an assessment that combines published research findings with the expertise of specialists from academia and practice. In addition to identifying needs, existing solutions and best practices should also be systematically documented and incorporated.

Research to date provides only limited evidence on which empirical and conceptual knowledge exists regarding deficits related to GFE and diversity and which needs of mainstream institutions can be scientifically substantiated. The same applies to organizations representing affected groups with regard to threats they face.

The project results are intended to support more targeted democracy promotion and projects on GFE and diversity management within the federal programme Demokratie leben!. Particular emphasis is placed on: a) identifying hidden or insufficiently researched needs, b) prioritizing and ranking needs, and c) identifying best practices in addressing discrimination and promoting diversity. In addition, the project aims to provide the basis for future monitoring of needs related to GFE and diversity management within mainstream institutions.

The project consists of five interrelated work packages:

• Literature Review: Identification, review, systematization, analysis, and synthesis of relevant and up-to-date research literature on diversity and GFE in key institutional settings.
• Expert Interviews: Identification of experts from academia and practice and conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews on GFE and diversity in mainstream institutions.
• Representative Surveys: Surveys examining perceived deficits and needs within mainstream institutions, conducted in cooperation with the cluster's Online Access Panel and the National Discrimination and Racism Monitor.
• Cooperation with DJI/AFS: Collaboration with the German Youth Institute (DJI/AFS), supporting its surveys within mainstream institutions with expertise on issues related to GFE and diversity.
• Survey of Organizations Representing Affected Groups: Short surveys of organizations within the diversity pillar of Demokratie leben! focusing on threats and support needs.

The differentiated findings are documented, among others, in the following publications:

• Ratzmann, Nora; Pöggel, Tanita Jill; Sommer, Moritz (2025): Civil Society (Counselling) Work at Risk.
• Sträter, Till; Sowa, Christian; Imamoğlu, Hümeyranur; Pöggel, Tanita Jill; Ratzmann, Nora (2024): Democracy Promotion Needs Anti-Discrimination: What Can Democracy Promotion Programmes Do to Institutionalize Anti-Discrimination and Strengthen Civil Society Counselling Work?
• Ratzmann, Nora; Pöggel, Tanita Jill (2024): Threats to Civil Society Counselling Work: Results of a Qualitative Pilot Study among Counselling Centers Focusing on Discrimination, Racism, and Diversity.
• Sowa, Christian; Sträter, Till; Imamoğlu, Hümeyranur (2024): Shaping a Diverse Society: Needs and Recommendations for Increasing Diversity and Reducing Discrimination in Public Institutions, Mainstream Structures, and Civil Society.
• Kleist, J. Olaf; Weiberg, Mirjam; Al-Hashash, Samah et al. (2024): Support in Cases of Right-Wing, Racist, and Antisemitic Violence: How Can Counselling Services Be Strengthened and Victims Adequately Supported?

• Ratzmann, Nora; Pöggel, Tanita Jill; Sommer, Moritz (2025): Civil Society (Counselling) Work at Risk.
• Sträter, Till; Sowa, Christian; Imamoğlu, Hümeyranur; Pöggel, Tanita Jill; Ratzmann, Nora (2024): Democracy Promotion Needs Anti-Discrimination: What Can Democracy Promotion Programmes Do to Institutionalize Anti-Discrimination and Strengthen Civil Society Counselling Work?
• Ratzmann, Nora; Pöggel, Tanita Jill (2024): Threats to Civil Society Counselling Work: Results of a Qualitative Pilot Study among Counselling Centers Focusing on Discrimination, Racism, and Diversity.
• Sowa, Christian; Sträter, Till; Imamoğlu, Hümeyranur (2024): Shaping a Diverse Society: Needs and Recommendations for Increasing Diversity and Reducing Discrimination in Public Institutions, Mainstream Structures, and Civil Society.
• Kleist, J. Olaf; Weiberg, Mirjam; Al-Hashash, Samah et al. (2024): Support in Cases of Right-Wing, Racist, and Antisemitic Violence: How Can Counselling Services Be Strengthened and Victims Adequately Supported?