The German Youth Institute is conducting a formative evaluation of the "Competence Centers and Competence Networks" that are part of the federal program "Live Democracy!" (funding period from 2020 to 2024). 13 Competence Networks and one Competence Centre are funded to further develop professional expertise in selected thematic areas. The Competence Networks and the Competence Centre are assigned to make their expertise available nationwide, to gather knowledge and to promote cooperation between civil society organizations. In addition, their task is to create synergies within the program and to support other actors with their expertise regarding the disseminating of knowledge. This refers in particular to the pilot projects in specific thematic areas of the federal program. In doing so they promote the professionalization of work in these thematic areas. Their contribution to the objectives of the program "Live Democracy!" is:

  • strengthening democratic participation and conflict management in civil society
  • promoting an understanding of diversity and respect as matters of course, as well as working for an appreciation of diversity and against ideologies of inequality
  • addressing main forms of ideological radicalization