Conference for educational professionals (both volunteers and full-time staff or those still in training/studying) and young volunteers from independent and public organizations in Bremen, Bremerhaven and the surrounding area
Questions, debates about budget cuts, attacks, and threats are affecting youth work and youth associations nationwide. Whether it's the far-right arson attack on the Friese youth center, the threatened closure of the Sielwallhaus youth center, or parliamentary inquiries about "neutrality" and eligibility for funding – the attacks on youth centers, (youth) education programs, and youth associations are multifaceted in Bremen as well. An increasingly precarious financial situation further complicates their work. Youth work is under immense pressure.
This is accompanied by a worsening of the social climate: Far-right attitudes are rapidly increasing in large segments of society, and populist narratives have gained massive influence. The 2025 Center Study clearly shows how anti-democratic tendencies threaten social cohesion and also appeal to young people.
Against this backdrop, the Solidarity Network Against the Right is hosting a conference focusing on the rightward shift in society and its consequences for youth work and young people. In particular, the demand that youth work must remain politically neutral is being used to influence political discourse, defame unwelcome positions and opponents, and is being linked to threats of funding cuts. However, youth work has a clear democratic mandate and may – indeed, must! – advocate for human dignity, equality, and democratic values.
The conference builds on this and offers space for reflection, exchange, networking and the development of practice-oriented pedagogical action strategies.
The presentations by Jana Sämann and Andrea Röpke provide insight into the increasing shift to the right and the discourse surrounding the so-called neutrality requirement.
- Jana Sämann on the precariousness of youth work due to the shift to the right and appeals to neutrality
- Andrea Röpke on right-wing extremist youth cultures in Bremen and Lower Saxony
In workshops, participants develop and discuss options for action and protection strategies to respond to right-wing attacks, take a stand, and defend their work professionally. The workshops also serve as a platform for networking and initiating long-term collaborations. They are led by experts from nationwide counseling centers and umbrella organizations such as soliport, AGJF Sachsen, and others.
Overview of workshops (subject to change):
- Neutrality requirements and professional classification (AGJF Saxony)
- Making marginalized positions visible (VY / Awareness Education)
- Right-wing extremism in the digital space (medienbegleitung.de)
- Gender and Prevention (Dissens eV)
- Empowerment for BIPoC (Bremen Solidarity Center eV)
- Security concepts (Together for Democracy)
- Support for those affected (soliport)
Participation fees include lunch and meals:
- €60 for full-time employees
- €20 for volunteers, trainees and committed individuals
Money shouldn't be an obstacle: If you need a discount, please feel free to contact us.
The solidarity network against the far right comprises independent organizations from Bremen and Bremerhaven that work in emancipatory children's and youth programs, as well as specialist agencies that support victims of right-wing attacks. Members include the German Scout Association, the Nature Friends Youth/Die Buchte, The Falcons, the Lidice House, perspektive ausstieg, and soliport.
The conference “UNDER PRESSURE: Options for Action in Child and Youth Work in Times of Right-Wing Shift and Underfunding” is recognized as educational leave in the state of Bremen.
The event is sponsored by "Partnership for Democracy" Bremen.
Registration: UNDER PRESSURE. Options for action in youth work in times of right-wing extremism and underfunding | fobi.jugendinfo.de
