Projects

Current projects

WalheYmat Talks 

Launched in October 2023, WahlheYmat Talks is a monthly discussion platform dedicated to exploring the participation of immigrants in Berlin’s public and political life. By June 2024, we hosted seven talks, fostering dialogue and inclusion across communities.

The current series (September 2024 – June 2025) shifts focus to the renewal of democracy, beginning with perspectives from politics and administration. Future sessions will spotlight civil society contributions, local best practices, and international examples. Hosted in partnership with the Central and Regional Library of Berlin (ZLB), the talks take place in the AGB PopUp Saal, solidifying our commitment to accessible and inclusive dialogue spaces.

WahlheYmat Writes

WahlheYmat Writes is our newsletter, where we share insights into our journey—our partnerships, challenges, and accomplishments. It’s a space where readers can learn how to join and support our mission. Moving forward, we aim to expand the newsletter with resources on political participation in Berlin, inviting everyone to become part of the WahlheYmat story.

WahlheYmat Dialogue

We believe that the foundation for any meaningful change is dialogue: listening to others’ opinions and stories, understanding them, developing empathy, and finding common ground through open conversation. This is why we actively seek opportunities for dialogue and remain open to new projects. Currently, we are engaged in two key collaborations:

GLS Bank – We bring together political emigrants and German citizens to foster understanding and strengthen democracy. Our democracy is strong—but also vulnerable. This vulnerability has become increasingly evident in many parts of the world, including Germany. How do people who have had to leave their homeland for political reasons experience this transition? Did they initially try to adapt and cope with political repression? What were the decisive events that made it impossible for them to stay? How did civil society organize itself, and how were its spaces increasingly restricted? What does political participation mean to them now, in exile?

KIgA – Kreuzberger Initiative gegen Antisemitismus – KIgA runs a large-scale dialogue project rooted in the urgent need to strengthen Jewish-Muslim dialogue in Berlin. However, the project goes beyond this, fostering a broader perspective of dialogue among people with diverse traditions, backgrounds, religions, and origins. WahlheYmat will host a dialogue space and proudly contribute to KIgA’s inspiring work.

WahlheYmat Inside

This is the back end of WahlheYmat. We are a team of over twenty people (check out OUR TEAM). We hold internal weekly meetings, participate in chat groups, and host Think & Design workshops. On Vostel, you can find the positions we are currently looking to fill. We organize task groups for events, fundraising, and communication (we’re active on LinkedIn, though Instagram is still just a dream). Thanks to some amazing pro bono support, we’ve developed our storyline, but we still need help with branding. To better understand needs, we also run surveys.

WahlheYmat is all about participation. That’s why we strive to be part of an ecosystem of organizations, initiatives, and private individuals working on innovation in democracy and civic engagement programs. We actively seek to participate and connect with as many of them as possible. If you’re not already in contact with us, we’d love to hear from you—please reach out!

Projects we’ve developed and are currently seeking partners and funding for:

WahlheYmat Talks 2.0

We’re applying for funding to expand WahlheYmat Talks into a communication platform. This includes hosting discussions in Berlin district libraries and launching social media campaigns with influencers to widen participation through a central digital platform.

Innovation in Administration

• Chief Participation Officer: Advocating for a high-level position within Berlin’s administration, filled by a newcomer, to drive civic engagement and bring fresh perspectives. Similar to Madrid’s Councillor for Participation, Transparency, and Open Government, this role would elevate participation initiatives.
• Newcomers Advisory Task Forces: Creating task forces led by professionals with lived migration experiences to provide fresh insights into policy and governance.

HeYmat Haus

A meeting place for everyone who has chosen Berlin as their adopted home—whether from other countries, other German states, or those who have chosen to stay after being born in Berlin. The programs are designed to bring people out of their respective echo chambers and foster meaningful connections.

We presented this idea to Mr. Chialo in February 2024 as a complement to the ZLB-Galeries Lafayette concept. However, it could also function as a standalone initiative.

WB Platform (Welcoming and Belonging)

WB Platform is a digital space where newcomers can learn about social and political participation in Berlin. It contains information, a mentor matchmaking tool that connects newcomers with well-connected individuals in the city, and a Demonstration Tool, where newcomers can express their needs.

The concept was developed by the Lisbon-based transformative design agency, With Company, in collaboration with Wahlheimat.

Kaospilots Handbook and Exhibition

Students from the renowned Danish Kaospilots School spent two months in Lisbon on an outpost project. As newcomers themselves, they explored and developed strategies and ideas to enhance the participation of other newcomers in city life. The result was a remarkable Handbook of Civic Participation and Engagement and an innovative idea catalog for newcomer participation, visualized through a radar system.

On December 12, 2024, they presented their findings in Lisbon in the form of an exhibition. We are now working on bringing this exhibition and the fresh ideas of the Kaospilots to Berlin.

The Kaospilots conducted their work in Lisbon under the mentorship of with company, in collaboration with WahlheYmat.

Narrative Analysis Using Sensemaker
Led by our founding member, Robin Sontheimer, we work to implement the methods of the Cynefin Company. Through the analysis of stories collected in Berlin, we aim to shift the narrative surrounding migration and newcomers.

Digital Democracy Projects
Inspired by the Plurality book and the concepts of Audrey Tang and Glen Weyl, we are exploring opportunities to launch pilot projects in 1–2 Berlin neighborhoods (Kiez) using open-source platforms such as [platform name]. These initiatives are designed to re-engage citizens in city affairs and ensure their voices are heard in shaping the future of their communities.

We are convinced that these efforts represent the first steps toward reconnecting people with local politics and policymaking. By integrating digital tools and citizen committees (Bürgerräte), we strive to create a more participatory and inclusive approach to governance at the neighborhood level.

Berlin Vision 2045

Berlin is already home to an array of forward-thinking initiatives and large-scale projects, such as GICA, EXPO 2035, the Olympics 2036, and the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin, all of which are shaping the future of the city.

However, at Wahlheymat, we perceive a gap: when asked about the collective vision for Berlin, many struggle to provide a concrete or unified response. To address this, we propose to develop a comprehensive, 10-year vision for Berlin’s future, engaging with our broad and diverse community to ensure that this vision is shaped inclusively.

This collaborative effort will result in a shared framework for Berlin in 2045—one that reflects the city’s aspirations for social cohesion, innovation, and sustainable development.