Discrimination and Civic Engagement

Consensus and Conflict Department

Project head: Prof. Dr. Sabrina Zajak

Project team members: Fabio Best

German Survey on Volunteering (FWS) (2019; 2014) has repeatedly shown that there are significant differences in the participation and structure of civic engagement—particularly with regard to gender, age, education, and migration background. People with a migration background and those without German citizenship are especially underrepresented in civic engagement. However, there is currently no reliable data on the relationship between experiences of discrimination and engagement. It is known that personal experiences of discrimination can serve as a motivation for engagement. However, we still lack knowledge about how discrimination is experienced within the realm of engagement and to what extent discrimination might also act as a deterrent to participation.

This issue was a central focus of the Expert Commission on the Fourth Engagement Report of the Federal Government, which emphasized “Opportunities for Access to Voluntary Engagement.” The aim of this project is twofold: first, to conduct an in-depth analysis and publication of data on discrimination as a barrier to access from the DeZIM.panel; and second, to initiate dialogue on the topic of discrimination in engagement with members of the Engagement Commission, civil society, public administration, and the broader public.

The project places a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer.

Funding: Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Institutional funding)