Demokratische Bildung im Umgang mit autoritären Dynamiken

<< Background >>The project was launched to strengthen and formalise the previously occasional cooperation between the partner organisations and to jointly address the rise of authoritarian developments in migration societies. It responds to growing authoritarian and anti-democratic tendencies across Europe, which are also reflected in the field of youth work. Increasing polarisation, radicalisation and isolation shape both public discourse and the everyday experiences of young people.Open youth work offers particular potential for democratic education, as it is grounded in voluntariness, participation and a life-world-oriented approach. It reaches young people who tend to stay away from more formal educational settings and enables experiential and participatory learning processes. To realise this potential, professionals need spaces for reflection, exchange and critical analysis of authoritarian dynamics.All partners are dedicated to creating such spaces through training, professional development and counselling. The project’s transnational exchange aimed to bring together these experiences, inspire new approaches in local practice and promote sustainable, cross-border collaboration in the field of democratic youth education.<< Objectives >>The project aimed to make authoritarian dynamics and attitudes visible within the context of youth work and democratic youth education, and to analyse their implications for professional practice. Core topics included polarisation, far-right movements, radicalisation and anti-democratic attitudes. Findings from research and policy were to be reflected upon and translated into practice-oriented insights relevant for the field of youth work.Through exchange with partner organisations in Austria and Germany, regional practices were compared, experiences consolidated and professional strategies for addressing authoritarian tendencies among young people further developed. In the medium term, the project sought to establish sustainable structures for professional development, monitoring and networking that link theory and practice, thereby strengthening democratic youth work on a transnational level.<< Implementation >>• 5 Digital Meetings: Regular online meetings with key themes facilitated professional exchange, deepened specific aspects of the project topics, and enabled coordination of joint work processes. This digital collaboration ensured continuity and transparency in the international dialogue.• 3 International Educational Events: Seminars and conferences brought together members of the partner organisations as well as other interested professionals. These events provided opportunities to implement jointly developed formats, participate in workshops, and discuss key partnership themes such as democracy education in practice, critical distancing interventions, professional attitudes and positioning, and factors of involvement in far right movements.• 4 National Events: Trainings/seminars were conducted for local professionals, some of which were organised in collaboration with the project partners involved. The aim was to transfer and further develop the knowledge and insights generated within the partnership and make them accessible to a wider group of practitioners.<< Results >>1. Documented Insights and Statements•Minutes, summaries, and reports from digital and in-person meetings.•Video clips „MUT-Proben (Dare Challenges) with participating professionals; statements promoting youth work committed to democracy and solidarity.2. Network and Cooperation Structures•Strengthened connections between partner organizations that can be used for future projects.•Established collaborations between the participating partner organisations.3. Practice-Oriented Insights•Comparative analyses of approaches and practices in different life-world contexts (e.g., racist versus religiously motivated attitudes of rejection).•Reflections on which methods are most effective and adaptable in various contexts4. Qualitative Developments•Heightened awareness and grasp regarding authoritarian developments and pedagogical approaches oriented to the life experiences of young people•Improved understanding among participating professionals, fostering better comprehension of diverse institutional and cultural frameworks for professional practice.