One World Centre for NGOs/CSOs in Berlin

Members of Berlin Global Village on site at ground-breaking in September 2019 - © Berlin Global Village gGmbH

Construction site in December 2019 - ©Berlin Global Village gGmbH

Berlin Global Village in June 2021 - ©Berlin Global Village gGmbH

Berlin Global Village (BGV)

Status

ongoing

City

Berlin

Main actors

Local Government

Project area

Neighborhood or district

Duration

Ongoing since 2011

One World Centre for NGOs/CSOs in Berlin

Berlin Global Village is both, a working and event space for developmental NGOs (non-government organizations) and/or migrant diasporic CSOs (civil society organizations) and a registered association and network. It provides offices, meeting rooms and event spaces for around 50 NGOs/CSOs all under the same roof. The centre fosters exchange and collaboration between civil society groups and strengthens networks. To ensure the inclusion of different perspectives, the BGV board established the Council for Diversity and Social Inclusion in 2019. It serves as an advisory body to assess all relevant BGV processes from a diversity perspective and develop proposals for the ongoing operation of the centre. With exhibitions, workshops and other activities, the One World Centre is a flagship project for community building, developmental cooperation, post-colonial responsibility and sustainable development in Berlin.

For further information about the case study, click here.

Sustainable Development Goals

City information

City

Berlin, Germany

Size and population development

In 2019, the municipality of Berlin had a population of 3,669,491 inhabitants, making it the most populous city in the European Union (EU). The larger metropolitan area has about 5 million inhabitants.

Population composition

According to estimations, about one third of Berlin’s population was foreign born or has a migratory background. These inhabitants originate from other parts of the EU—such as Poland, Italy or Bulgaria—as well as from countries outside of the EU, such as Syria, Vietnam or the United States of America. The largest non-native population comes from Turkey: In 2019, more than 107,000 Turkish nationals were registered as inhabitants of Berlin.

Main functions

Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. As a city-state it is also one of the country’s 16 Länder, as the federal states are called in Germany. Situated approximately 112 miles (180 km) south of the Baltic Sea, the city lies in the wide glacial valley of the Spree River, which runs through Berlin’s centre. The city extends over an area of 891.7 square kilometres and stands at an average altitude of 34 meters above sea level. After the reunification of Germany and East and West Berlin in 1990, the unified Berlin was re-established as the country’s capital (replacing Bonn, the former capital of West Germany). In 1999, large parts of the Federal Government and the German Bundestag finally moved back to Berlin. Berlin is a city of great historical significance, which becomes evident considering the amount of historical landmarks that visualize the city’s history. Some of the most important landmarks include the Brandenburg Gate (built in 1793), the Reichstag Building (which dates to 1884), remnants of the Berlin Wall (taken down on the 9th of November 1989) or the Holocaust memorial (inaugurated in 2003). Berlin is also a famous cultural hub, known for its world-class museums, theatres, operas and concert halls as well as its vibrant club scene and street art. Finally, the Brain City Berlin is a leading location for science and research. It is home to a number of prestigious universities such as the Freie Universität Berlin, the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and the Technische Universität Berlin, with more than 35,000 students each as well as renowned research institutions and think tanks.

Main industries / business

As the fourth largest economy of the world, Germany has a wide array of prestigious industries. Berlin is home to a diverse mix of economic activities: state-owned enterprises, creative industries, automotive manufacturers, (digital) media corporations, high-tech and telecommunication companies as well as multiple digital pioneers that flourish in the city’s vibrant start-up scene. Tourism is constantly growing and brings about 14 million visitors (2019) to the city every year.

Sources for city budget

Berlin draws its budget for public expenditure largely from taxes, federal transfers, fees, fines and operating revenues. It is spent not only to provide high quality public services, but also to boost the city’s private sector, civil society engagement and cultural life.

Political structure

The city-state Berlin is governed by the Berlin Senate, which is comprised of 10 senators, and the Governing Mayor. As the capital of Germany, Berlin hosts the Bundesregierung (federal government), the Bundestag (federal parliament) and the Bundesrat (the parliamentary chamber of the 16 Länder). Each of the 16 Länder has a representation in Berlin. On many political issues, the Länder have co-legislative powers vis-à-vis the Federal government. Moreover, Berlin hosts embassies from more than 120 countries from around the world.

Administrative structure

Berlin is administrated by the Senate and its 12 districts or boroughs (Bezirke). The Senate is the city’s central administration, in charge of city planning, public policy, and the regulation of public and private spheres. The district administrations have some decentralized public functions, with reasonable differences between the various localities.

Website

http://www.berlin.de

Background and objectives

The city of Berlin is home to a large number of developmental and migrant-diasporic NGOs. It was a long-term goal of these groups to find a common place to work, learn and collaborate. The City of Berlin supported the idea and funded the project from the beginning. The main objectives were to create a meeting space with affordable office rents, opportunities to collaborate, exchange, and enhance the visibility of Berlin´s contribution to global justice. The Berlin network of developmental NGO’s initiated the idea of a One World Centre. It took many years until a suitable area could be found and funding had been secured. In 2019, the initiators received an investment allowance to start constructing and rebuilding the One World Centre at the KINDL-Areal in Neukölln – a district with a large migrant population and on the edge towards gentrification.

Implementation

Berlin Global Village consists of two buildings: an old building, that needs to be redeveloped will be completed in summer 2022 and a new building that opened in 2021. Both buildings are connected via a joint entrance area.

In 2018, the Edith Maryon Foundation sold the former administrative buildings of the Kindl Brewery on a 100-year leasehold basis – for the realization of the One World Centre.

All NGOs can participate in decision-making processes, conduct joint events, share their expertise and experience in learning workshops and use the community kitchen and the roof top terrace for informal exchanges. The main method used to make decisions among the very heterogeneous NGOs is called systemic consensus.

The official opening ceremony is planned for September 2022. Around 50 NGOs and migrant-diasporic organizations will work at Berlin Global Village. There will be a digital global classroom, where workshops and trainings on topics of global justice and sustainable development will take place. Events spaces will be used for workshops, seminars, conferences and cultural events.

Financing and resources

The lead agency for the project is the City of Berlin with support from

Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises: 3 million Euros investment allowance, 1,4 million Euros for redevelopment and equipment, annual project funding around 200,000 Euros;

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development: 1.8 million Euros for redevelopment and equipment;

BGV e.V. member network: decision-making, agenda setting, implementation, evaluation;

BER – Berliner Entwicklungspolitischer Ratschlag, network of developmental NGOs: issue identification, agenda setting, change agent, lobbying;

Move Global: network of migrant-diasporic NGOs: issue identification, agenda setting, change agent

Results and impacts

Setting up the new building in less than three years was a huge milestone. In 2021, 35 NGOs moved into the new building. They have access to affordable rents, a modern infrastructure and an inspiring network.

Since 2019, numerous exhibitions and public events have taken place at the One World Centre. Reaching out to the citizens of the neighborhood and establishing strong bonds between the Centre and the mostly migrant neighborhood is a key strategy of Berlin Global Village.

Barriers and challenges

It took a long time to find a suitable area for the project and for funding to be raised. Only through a lot of patience and a growing network of supporters was the project realized.

Demand for office spaces is high and not all organizations interested in being part of Berlin Global Village could move in.

Lessons learned and transferability

The project is transferable to other cities who want to support a strong and active civil society that contributes to global justice and sustainable development.

References

Berlin Global Village
Landesstelle für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit