As part of a pro bono project, Technopolis Germany provided strategic development support free of charge to the Berlin-based association Evin e.V. Through this initiative, Technopolis contributed to strengthening an organisation that has been promoting the social integration of children, young people and families with migration backgrounds for more than three decades.
Evin operates primarily in the Berlin districts of Kreuzberg and Neukölln and is currently undergoing a transformation process aimed at further developing its strategic direction and long-term sustainability in light of changing needs and current legal reform efforts changing the landscape of child and youth welfare policy frameworks, as well as growing challenges related to financial sustainability and effectiveness.
Technopolis supported the organisation through an evidence-based assessment of its impact, challenges and future development opportunities. This involved a review of academic literature, organisational documents and internal processes, interviews with experts in child, youth and family services and with Evin staff members, as well as a detailed analysis of the draft legislation for the reform of child and youth welfare structures (1st Child and Youth Welfare Structure Reform Act, 1. KJHSRG) and position papers published by sector organisations.
The collected evidence was analysed through impact, trend and contextual assessments, and findings were triangulated in order to heighten the visibility of the societal value of Evin’s work and to identify strategic options for the organisation’s long-term development. In doing so, the Technopolis team drew on its extensive expertise in impact assessment and the analysis of policy and regulatory frameworks gained through its advisory work for the public sector.
Given the key challenges facing Evin, namely increasing financial and governance pressures at the municipal level on the one hand, and anticipated changes to funding structures administered by local youth welfare offices as part of the reform of the German Social Code Book VIII (SGB VIII – Child and Youth Welfare) on the other, three strategic objectives were identified: securing and diversifying long-term funding structures; safeguarding professional quality and organisational effectiveness; reducing pressure on staff working in an increasingly demanding environment.
To achieve these objectives, three priority areas for action were defined: internal processes, focusing on organisational and administrative structures; development of service areas, ensuring a needs-based and sustainable portfolio of activities and services; external communication and networking, strengthening the organisation’s professional profile and strategic partnerships. These findings were discussed with the Evins team during a participatory workshop, where concrete strategic options were co-creatively developed, validated and prioritised. Technopolis Germany values the work of Evin e.V. as an important contribution to social participation, equal opportunities and social cohesion. We are proud to have supported the organisation’s strategic development through an evidence-based and collaborative approach as part of our broader commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.
