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counseling
Distanz e.V. offers low-threshold counselling for multipliers. The focus is on the question of how to work with young people who show far-right orientations or are at risk of entering extremist structures—for example in relationship-building, in setting impulses for Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process in response to dehumanising attitudes, or in referring them to appropriate support structures.
Counselling Process
1. Initial contact:
- Those seeking counselling usually get in touch by phone or email.
2. Needs assessment:
- Together with the staff of Distanz e.V., the specific needs are clarified.
- An individual offer is then developed.
3. Counselling formats
- Individual consultations: by phone, video or in person
- Longer-term counselling: virtual or on site
- Team counselling: collegial case consultations for several participants
The services are individually tailored to needs and provide both short-term support and longer-term guidance.
Target Groups
- Educational professionals from youth and family services, youth court and probation services, and schools
- Civil society actors and multipliers
Counselling Approach
A key focus of the counselling is empowerment—that is, strengthening the ability to act independently when dealing with cases related to Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process. Where needed, we offer long-term support, for example in the form of coaching. In addition, we rely on cooperative networking with local and supra-regional actors in order to link prevention and intervention and activate further support systems.
At the Centre for Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process, we are happy to advise you on your concerns.
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Coaching
The coaching programme offers tailored support for challenges in the Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process. It helps to develop or improve strategies and practical skills for dealing with widespread patterns of devaluation within an organisation. The aim is to strengthen the confidence and capacity to act of individual professionals and to further develop the organisation as a whole in its prevention and intervention work against far-right phenomena.
Formats and Process
The focus of the coaching determines the format.
Short Coaching
In short coaching, the organisation receives an overview of the challenges and needs the team faces when dealing with devaluation, discrimination and far-right attitudes. This is achieved through a needs assessment survey within the team, which is designed by Distanz e.V. Based on the results, Distanz e.V. provides recommendations on how the identified needs could be addressed. Follow-up measures, such as training courses, are jointly decided upon with a focus on available resources.
Intensive Coaching
In intensive coaching, Distanz e.V. supports a small group of professionals over several sessions on specific issues. Based on an analysis of needs and initial conditions, the group develops goals for the team and the organisation. Distanz e.V. accompanies, advises and supports this change process. The entire team of the organisation is regularly involved and informed about the content.
Case Coaching
In case coaching, the focus is on one or more concrete cases involving young people who are at risk of entering far-right extremism and who pose challenges for the organisation. Over several sessions, the professionals involved are supported and advised by Distanz e.V. through joint case analysis and practical recommendations for their educational work with the young person.
Methodology
The coaching is needs-based and solution-oriented. The analysis of the initial situation determines the next steps. The process is participation-oriented and strengthens professionals in their personal responsibility. With a resource-oriented approach, the coaching builds on existing strengths and expands them with the expertise of Distanz e.V.
Are you interested in coaching? Please contact the Centre for Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process.
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Deradicalisation Trainings
Distanz e.V. supports young people in individual and group Deradicalisation Trainings, helping them to distance themselves from dehumanising and violence-affirming attitudes. By drawing on youth cultural, media-related and historical interests, access points to young people’s life worlds are created and their sense of self-efficacy is strengthened. The Deradicalisation Training is an intensive educational measure that lasts on average one year and focuses on supporting young people in shaping a constructive future.
Goals of the Deradicalisation Training
- Distancing from dehumanisation
- Reflection on dehumanising attitudes
- Addressing discriminatory views
- Development of human-rights-oriented perspectives
- Reduction of violence
- Raising awareness of the consequences of all forms of violence
- Development of non-violent conflict resolution strategies
- Self-worth and reflection
- Promoting empathy and perspective-taking
- Strengthening self-reflection and tolerance of ambiguity
- Meaningful life perspectives
- Support in future planning and leisure activities
- Development of alternative life concepts beyond dehumanising ideologies
Implementation
The training is designed to be outreach-based and flexible in order to reach young people in their life worlds with low barriers. Through cooperation with schools of all types, youth welfare offices and institutions of youth (social) work and independent youth services, a relationship-oriented approach is achieved. For each case, individual engagement strategies are discussed with the professionals involved. Within the ongoing process and in compliance with data protection regulations, they are involved in the outcomes of the trainings.
Training Methodology – the BRAKE Approach
B (Relationship): Within the Deradicalisation Trainings, we aim to establish an educational relationship with the participants. A stable pedagogical relationship is the foundation of every training and the basis for intervention. Only within a trusting relationship will participants open up and reflect on criticism.
R (Reflection): The aim is to stimulate reflection processes among participants. They are encouraged to critically question themselves, gain insights and pursue new self-defined goals. This approach makes a significant contribution to distancing from deeply rooted dehumanising attitudes.
A (Outreach): The outreach aspect is of particular importance and shapes our work throughout the entire process. Our basic approach is not to provide an offer that can simply be taken up, but to actively approach potential participants. This means that the work does not begin with a motivation to distance oneself; instead, attitudes are problematised from the outside. This requires close cooperation with sensitised professionals in the everyday lives of young people at risk of entry.
K (Critique): Clear criticism of ideological fragments, generalisations and prejudices is also necessary. This criticism does not call the relationship into question; in some cases, it can even strengthen it. It may also meet young participants’ need for friction and spark curiosity about a new perspective on an issue. Through a critical stance, the relationship level is consciously used to convey that certain personal qualities are valued, while specific political attitudes are problematised and/or rejected.
E (Development): Over the course of the training, a developmental process is initiated among participants that aims to prevent further far-right socialisation and, ideally, open up new perspectives for respectful coexistence. Processes of distancing are ultimately to be understood as transformational processes of identity formation. This includes a view of humanity that grants everyone the possibility to change. We actively seek to shape this transformation process through the outreach-based BRAKE approach.
Insight into Our Deradicalisation Trainings
Practical example from a youth club
A young woman repeatedly attracts attention through comments that insult and demean young people with a history of forced migration. The youth club staff have already held many conversations with her, but so far the interventions have had little effect. The team discusses whether the young woman can continue to be tolerated in the club’s premises. On the one hand, all young people should feel safe and welcome in the club; on the other hand, the staff fear the potential consequences for her development if she is forced to look for other places to spend her time. The team would like to make an offer and therefore contacts Distanz e.V. Together, a concrete and individual engagement strategy is discussed. While Distanz e.V. organises a space outside the club to implement the training, the staff approach the young woman. They are transparent in explaining that a ban from the premises due to her racist remarks is being considered, but that they would prefer to offer support instead. She is asked to attend an initial meeting with the trainers from Distanz e.V. together with a staff member from the youth club. At this first meeting, the staff member explains the reason for the training and then leaves after the training has been introduced. In the initial session, the trainers from Distanz e.V. focus as much as possible on the young woman’s perspective, her interests, hobbies and everyday challenges. Through a respectful and life-world-oriented approach, the trainers are comparatively often able to motivate young people to participate voluntarily in the training.
Thanks to their experience in working with young people who are at risk of or oriented towards far-right extremism, the trainers from Distanz e.V. relieve the youth club team. They are able to offer the young woman appropriate support and also assist the youth club team in the sustainable development of the organisation.
f you are interested in a Deradicalisation Training or would like further information, please contact the Centre for Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process.
More information on the BRAKE approach (PDF, approx. 1 MB)
Information brochure: Deradicalisation Trainings (PDF, approx. 2.3 MB)
- Distancing from dehumanisation
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Training Programmes
Distanz e.V. offers topic-specific training programmes based on a modular system. The trainings are aimed at both individuals and teams and can be individually tailored to specific needs. The duration of the training is determined by individual agreement and the respective requirements.
Core Modules
The training programmes are based on three central modules:
Module 1 – Perception
Early detection of far-right entry processes
Objectives:
- Learn to recognise early signs of far-right orientation and how to classify them
- Reflection and exchange on one’s own perceptions
Content:
- Motives for turning towards extremism: Why do young people feel attracted to far-right positions?
- Risk factors: Which factors and circumstances put young people at risk?
- Examination of underlying attitudes within right-wing extremism
- Recognising far-right symbols, codes and signs and learning how to deal with them
- Practical application: Using insights in everyday professional practice
Module 2 – Intervention
Intervening in cases of dehumanising statements or incidents
Educational professionals are often faced with the challenge of how to respond to far-right or dehumanising statements without endangering their relationship with young people. Module 2 supports you in intervening appropriately to the situation without straining the pedagogical relationship—through reflection, confidence in action and concrete communication techniques.
Ziele:
- Learn to adapt interventions to specific situations, contexts and goals
- Strengthen confidence in action without burdening the relationship level
- Reflect on obstacles that hinder professional pedagogical practice
Content:
- Reflection on personal attitudes: How do you assess your own stance on discrimination?
- Discrimination and group-focused enmity: Forms and causes; strategies for recognition and prevention
- Situation-appropriate intervention: Situation analysis and planning of intervention steps
- Communication techniques: Approaches, techniques and strategies for guiding conversations and responding appropriately to apparent arguments
- Practical examples: Discussion, reflection and practice using cases from participants’ everyday professional work
Module 3 – Strategy Planning
Developing sustainable concepts against group-focused enmity
Individual interventions can be effective. However, sustainable change primarily emerges through a strategically coordinated approach at the organisational level. Module 3 supports you in developing a shared team ethos and systematically shaping structures and processes for effective prevention and intervention.
Objectives:
- Convey a systematic approach to analysing the initial situation within your organisation
- Develop initial strategic approaches for sustainable prevention and intervention
- Promote teamwork through coordinated principles for action
Content:
- Introduction to a practical analysis tool for taking stock: What is the current state of attitudes, structures and processes in your organisation or team?
- Resource analysis: Where are strengths, and where are gaps in dealing with dehumanising attitudes?
- Strategic goals and measures: How can an organisation or team act effectively and sustainably against group-focused enmity?
- Requirement of neutrality: What does it mean? What may be said? How can professionals deal with accusations of lacking neutrality?
- Practical application: Working with concrete case examples
Thematic Modules
In addition to and independently of the core modules, further modules can be flexibly combined and requested:
- Youth cultural education: Using youth cultural elements for prevention and analysing far-right instrumentalisation
- Online life worlds: Examination of far-right and dehumanising online phenomena
- Gender: Critical analysis of gender-specific norms and roles and their function within dehumanising far-right ideologies and groups
- Identity- and values-related media content: Critical engagement with media and disinformation
- Conspiracy narratives: Recognising conspiracy-ideological narratives and understanding their modes of impact
Online Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process
To respond to the growing challenges of online radicalisation, Distanz e.V. has developed the training programme “Was los im Feed?”. The training provides confidence in action when dealing with dehumanising and far-right communication on social media. The programme is situated within Online Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process (ODA), which encompasses pedagogical approaches to the prevention, assessment and handling of radicalisation processes in digital spaces.
Learn more and register here.If you are interested in our training programmes or would like to individually coordinate modules, please contact the Centre for Intervention Programm in a radicalisation process.
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Jugendkulturelle Bildung
Distanz e.V. arbeitet mit Jugendlichen ab 12 Jahren dort, wo sie sind – in Schulen, Jugendclubs oder auf Festivals. Mit lebensweltorientierten Methoden und medienpädagogischen Zugängen fördern wir Selbstwirksamkeit und regen zur Reflexion über Ausgrenzung an. Partizipative Formate und der Do-it-yourself-Ansatz stehen dabei im Mittelpunkt.
Methoden und Ansätze
- Lebensweltorientierung: Orientierung an den Erfahrungen und Themen der jungen Menschen
- Jugendkulturelle und medienpädagogische Bildung: Förderung von Selbstreflexion und Selbstwirksamkeit durch kreative Auseinandersetzung mit aktuellen, historischen und politischen Themen.
- Vielfältiges Team: Politisch(-historische) Bildner*innen, Pädagog*innen, Jugendkultur- und Medienexpert*innen arbeiten zusammen.
- Partizipation: Die Workshops setzen auf aktive Beteiligung und exploratives Arbeiten im Prozess.
- Der Do-It-Yourself-Ansatz fördert die Selbstermächtigung junger Menschen.
Zielsetzungen
- Selbstwirksamkeit stärken: Nutzung jugendkultureller Elemente zur Förderung persönlicher Entwicklung.
- Reflexion von Ausgrenzung: Persönliche Ausgrenzungserfahrungen der jungen Menschen, aber auch Ausgrenzung durch die Teilnehmenden selbst, werden reflektiert.
- Bearbeitung lebensweltlicher Themen: Durch Beteiligung an den Inhalten werden die Themen besprochen, die lebensweltliche Herausforderungen der Teilnehmer*innen darstellen.
- Fortbildung für Fachkräfte: Begleitende Schulungen zur Sicherstellung langfristiger Qualität.
- Nachhaltige Weiterarbeit: Vertrauliche Sachberichte und Nachreflektion unterstützen die Institutionen.
Wo finden Workshops statt?
- Schulen (alle Schulformen)
- Jugendclubs
- (Teil-)stationäre Einrichtungen
- Öffentlichen Räumen und auf Festivals
Sie möchten mehr über das Projekt CAP erfahren oder Workshops anfragen?Kontaktieren Sie uns gerne per E-Mail unter mail@distanz.info
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Perspektivtraining
Das Perspektiv-Training stärkt den positiven Blick junger Menschen auf ihr Leben. Gemeinsam erarbeiten wir Wege aus der Gewaltspirale, reflektieren soziales Verhalten und fördern eine straffreie Perspektive.
Zielgruppe
- Junge Menschen im Alter von 14 bis 27 Jahre
- Junge Menschen jeden Geschlechts, mit und ohne Behinderung
- Milieuübergreifend und herkunftsunabhängig
- Teilnehmende mit Multiproblemlagen (z.B. Suchterfahrungen, familiäre Gewalt)
Ziele des Perspektivtrainings
1. Zukunftsperspektiven entwickeln
Junge Menschen werden ermutigt, ihre Lebensperspektiven bewusst und gewaltfrei zu gestalten. Im Mittelpunkt steht die Förderung individueller Wege, die ein selbstbestimmtes und konstruktives Leben ermöglichen. Dazu gehört sowohl die Unterstützung bei der Planung einer gewaltfreien Zukunft als auch die Anregung zu einer sinnvollen Freizeitgestaltung – insbesondere im jugendkulturellen Bereich. Ergänzt wird dies durch Orientierungshilfen, die die persönliche Entwicklung stärken und dabei helfen, eigene Potenziale zu erkennen und neue Lebenswege zu eröffnen.
2. Selbstreflexion fördern
Ziel ist es, die eigene Lebensgestaltung bewusst zu reflektieren und die Hintergründe des eigenen Verhaltens besser zu verstehen. Durch die intensive Auseinandersetzung mit persönlichen Erfahrungen und Einstellungen werden Denkprozesse angeregt, die zu einem tieferen Selbstverständnis führen. Anregende Fragen unterstützen dabei, eingefahrene Denkmuster zu hinterfragen und neue Perspektiven zu entwickeln. So wird ein selbstbewusster und verantwortungsvoller Umgang mit der eigenen Handlungsfähigkeit gefördert.
3. Konfliktfähigkeit stärken
Konfliktfähigkeit stärken bedeutet, eigene Gewaltmuster zu erkennen und alternative, gewaltfreie Handlungsweisen zu entwickeln. Dabei steht die Reflexion des eigenen Verhaltens ebenso im Mittelpunkt wie das kritische Hinterfragen gewaltfördernder Einstellungen. Durch die Entwicklung konstruktiver Konfliktlösungsstrategien und die gezielte Förderung sozialer Kompetenzen werden Selbstbewusstsein und Resilienz gegenüber Gruppendruck gestärkt. So wird eine eigenverantwortliche Lebensführung auch unter benachteiligenden Bedingungen ermöglicht.
Methoden
- Lebensweltorientierte Ansätze: Nutzung jugendkultureller Methoden zur Förderung von Beteiligung und Niedrigschwelligkeit.
- Konfliktfähigkeit stärken: Reflexion bestehender Konfliktlösungsstrategien und Entwicklung alternativer Verhaltensweisen.
- Persönlichkeitsentwicklung: Förderung von Resilienz, Selbstbewusstsein, Widerspruchs- und Frustrationstoleranz.
- Zukunftsperspektiven: Konstruktive Ideen entwickeln, um Gewalt abzubauen.
Sie möchten mehr über das Perspektivtraining erfahren? Schreiben Sie uns gerne eine Mail an mail@distanz.info
Services
