Empowering Children to Initiate Social Change

Clean playgrounds, safe communities
Together. Clean. Active. Under this slogan, RespAct empowers children and adolescents to be active participants in beautifying and improving their local communities, particularly shaping playgrounds in Kreuzberg und Neukölln.

The problem
Berlin has faced many issues in recent years, which have ultimately manifested themselves in the every-day lives of school children. In Kreuzberg and Neukölln, playgrounds in the area have become less safe, and are no longer ideal places for children to spend their time. Instead of being open spaces for children to play and grow, they have become problematic zones that face many social challenges such as drugs and violence.

The solution
Through RespAct, children can become actively involved in beautifying public spaces and making members of the community more active stakeholders in the well-being of their district. One of our major objectives is to provide safe learning and living spaces for children. With RespAct, we combine sports and democracy pedagogical approaches. In our RespAct project weeks children continue to create campaigns against waste and environmental pollution, raise their voices for safe neighbourhoods and use playgrounds in the way they should be used – filled with fun, energy and enjoyment.

RespAct’s sustainable impact
By recognizing the social challenges that face them, kids can become more sensitive members of the community. They can recognize the problem, and become active participants in finding a solution. In taking agency to reclaim the public spaces for themselves, children are encouraged to think about security in their neighbourhood, become active problem-solvers, and hold on to the playful nature of childhood at the same time.

Thanks to your constant strong support of the project, we are able to carry out project weeks in cooperation with schools, youth centres and other pedagogical institutions and continue to generate a strong social impact. More information about our ongoing RespAct project can be found under https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/respact-children-stand-up-for-their-communities/.

Best wishes and lots of thanks,

Your RespAct Team