nexus analyses six networks of child and youth work and/or open work for senior citizens and refugees in five model municipalities Dessau-Roßlau, Hanover, Langenfeld/Rhineland and Pirmasens and in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald. Within the framework of the analysis, structures of cooperation of all actors involved as well as their available and contributed resources are identified. Also of interest are previous experiences and the effects, challenges and development potentials achieved within the framework of the cooperation. The analysis is implemented in a method mix of five components:

  • Qualitative interviews with coordinators, representatives of the municipalities, prominent actors and volunteers. The qualitative approach focuses on the specific configuration of the network, particular strengths, conflict potential, governance and participation.
  • Online stakeholder survey that records the services provided, the type and quality of cooperative relationships and the resources available.
  • Semi-standardised survey of volunteers that sheds light on the cooperation between civil society and the state.
  • Focus groups with young people and senior citizens, respectively, on the effects of the networked work.
  • Participatory workshop: Finally, a participatory workshop will be held in each municipality with broad participation of all groups on the possibilities of further developing the networks.

The aim of the study is to determine how civil society and the state, in particular, work together, what impacts are achieved and where measures for optimisation could begin.

Duration: 11/2015 – 04/2017
Client: Bertelsmann Stiftung
Team: Dr. Christine von Blanckenburg, Ansgar Düben, Christian Kusch