CAP

With the project CAP – Cultures, Arts & Politics, Distanz e. V. empowers young people aged 12 to 18 in rural regions of Thuringia through creative youth culture and media workshops. By strengthening young people’s constructive interests and fostering their sense of self-efficacy, democratic participation and networking are made attractive and accessible – directly within their everyday environments.

Why CAP?

Especially in times of intensive media use and social media engagement, young people need physical spaces where they can meet, engage creatively, think critically and constructively, and explore social issues in a democratically oriented way. CAP creates exactly these kinds of spaces – youth-oriented, low-threshold, and inspired by democratic values.

Our Approach

Participants choose from a diverse range of workshops with a youth-cultural, media-educational, and political-historical focus. The workshops are conducted by gender-balanced two-person teams with specific expertise and further training provided by Distanz e. V.

Project Goals

Developing democratic action competence, encounter, and social responsibility
Reaching young people in rural areas through life-world-oriented approaches
Promoting creativity, reflection, and self-efficacy
Strengthening extracurricular networking

Project Structure

Phase 1 – Introduction and Selection

During project days, participants select their preferred workshops from a diverse repertoire. The activities take place in youth clubs, residential facilities, or through school social work – extracurricular and voluntary.

Phase 2 – Deepening and Engagement

Interested participants from Phase 1 take part in multi-day intensive workshops in their regions. This creates recurring interest-based encounters, local networking, and a strong sense of democratic community.

Phase 3 – Networking Across Thuringia

Life-world-oriented workshops and supra-regional “peak events” connect participants from different regions. The goal: Thuringia-wide networks that strengthen and inspire young people in their democratic engagement.

Key Elements of Implementation

Participatory workshop selection by participants
Democratic, life-world-oriented content
Space for expectations and individual interests
Appreciative and creative exchange
Gender-balanced facilitator teams

Project Duration

01 May 2023 – 01 May 2028