In this joint workshop by ASA-FF (Chemnitz, Germany) and artist group Quarantine (Manchester, UK), two different but connected approaches to participatory cultural work converge. As a starting point we share the methodologies behind existing projects - ASA-FF’s #Heimspiel and Quarantine’s 12 Last Songs - to explore the socio-political landscapes that inspired them, approaches used to invite participation, and what happened as a result. Exploring key questions of the conference: What brings society together instead of driving it further apart? And what conditions in cultural work foster a more empathetic co-existence?, this workshop invites participants to consider how everyday life might offer artistic frames for meaningful encounter and dialogue between people who may not otherwise meet.

Concept and Workshop Lead: ASA-FF e.V. (Chemnitz) & Quarantine (Manchester, UK)
Languages: German and English

Sociocultural organizations achieve what many other sectors are increasingly losing: building trust, facilitating dialogue, and shaping social spaces. Yet these contributions are rarely communicated systematically—let alone adequately compensated. In the workshop “Unlearning Money”, we revisit a fundamental question: What do we have to offer—and who benefits from it?
Instead of focusing on funding schemes, we talk about fairness and value. What would a just exchange look like—both with participants and with actors from business, government, or academia?
Together, we’ll develop ideas for strategically bundling sociocultural contributions, discuss models of reciprocity, and identify the administrative effort involved. What can be implemented in a smart and solidaristic way?

Concept and Workshop Lead: Klub Solitaer e.V. (Chemnitz)
Language: German

How does a socio-cultural centre deal with being repeatedly attacked from the far right, even on a judicial level? How do you operate in a social environment that increasingly ideologises your own work as ‘left-wing’ and attempts to appropriate narratives about social values in a populist manner? How do you navigate through important social debates and help shape them, even in a society that is increasingly open to nationalist ideologies and right-wing esotericism? Julia Schlüter and Christian Thomas have no definitive answers to these questions, but have experienced a lot in their own work at the RABRYKA socio-cultural centre. They will develop practical strategies with you on the basis of concrete scenarios that have occurred.

Concept and Workshop Lead: RABRYKA / Second Attempt e.V. (Görlitz)
Language: German

How can participatory art projects with and for young adults be organised in such a way that they remain effective beyond temporary funding phases? The workshop sheds light on the role of networks for the stability, visibility and further development of cultural participation formats. Together we will reflect on how youth participation can be sustainably embedded in institutions and which strategic partnerships are required for this. Using concrete examples and methodical dialogue, participants will develop practical solutions for the long-term anchoring of their own projects.

Concept and Workshop Lead: Spinnerei e.V./Programme „enter-Junge Kulturregion Chemnitz“ & Chemnitz2025 gGmbH
Language: German

The performance collective gruppe tag and the Dutch platform Ruimtekoers invite participants to a workshop introducing the approach of design anthropology. This method combines ethnographic research with participatory design processes to respond to the needs of communities. 
Through two project examples, the groups will show how design anthropology can foster dialogue between people who might not otherwise connect.  The workshop concludes with a 60-minute World Café discussion: What potential do co-creative design anthropology approaches hold for building empathy and social cohesion? And what political or institutional conditions are needed to make such participatory processes successful?

Concept and Workshop Lead: Performancecollective gruppe tag (Leipzig) & platform for social art and social design Ruimtekoers (Arnhem, NL)
Languages: English and German

Does a sociocultural organization need to be culturally and politically active in order to remain relevant and effective in the long term?
This interactive workshop offers hands-on inspiration for cultural policy engagement. 
The aim is to demonstrate that actively engaging with political strategies is worthwhile when it comes to securing the future of one’s own organization. Participants are encouraged not to rely solely on the lobbying efforts of umbrella organizations, but to build local political networks and develop their own strategic positions.

Concept and Workshop Lead: Alter Gasometer e.V. (Zwickau)
Language: German

Data Visualization as a Lever for Democracy – Political Participation with Rocket Science?
In this workshop, we’ll show you how it works! Try out the Button Buddy, the AI machine, and Minecraft rallies, and discover how children and young people can creatively visualize their concerns using these tools. Experience how playful data collection and vivid visualizations in the data:viz:lab become real tools for participation. 
We’ll introduce the three-step process Vote. Visualize. Interact and demonstrate, using the example of the Youth Development Plan in Lichtenberg, how data-based youth participation can succeed.
Perfect for cultural education professionals who want to explore digital approaches to youth participation—and learn how to get decision-makers to really listen!

Concept and Workshop Lead: medialepfade.org - Verein für Medienbildung e.V.
Language: German (English possible if required)