Provider and funding

“pad – präventive, altersübergreifende Dienste im sozialen Bereich – gGmbH” emerged from the association “pad e.V. – Eltern, Kinder und Jugendliche gegen Drogenmissbrauch”, which was founded in the spring of 1990 on the initiative of committed parents, teachers and young people. pad gGmbH is a recognised provider of independent youth welfare services.

What began as an initiative has become large, colourful and diverse after more than 30 years. More than 60 institutions, facilities and projects provide expert counselling, advice and support, find solutions and sometimes take unconventional paths in harmony with local children, young people and families.

The provider works in six areas of initiative: childcare, family, school & delinquency, youth, work & addiction and democracy.

pad gGmbH is independent of any religious denomination or political party and pursues exclusively charitable and non-profit purposes.  

The Democracy Department includes projects that promote a culture of democracy and human rights, while combating inhumane ideologies. These projects also share a unified approach, integrating long-term issues and challenges with temporary campaigns and events that respond to current socio-political developments.

These can take the form of training courses for multipliers, local festivals and public campaigns that bring people together locally and make democratic positions visible in the public domain.

Democracy projects have a strong presence in the boroughs of Lichtenberg, Marzahn-Hellersdorf and Treptow-Köpenick, where they are well integrated into local structures, and the initiative is highly regarded as a leading expert in its fields.

A vibrant, democratic culture and equal co-existence depend on respect for human rights, individual engagement by many, diversity of activities, respectful interactions and non-judgemental encounters in everyday life.

To foster this, the projects in the Democracy Department connect, support and advice people in politics, administration and civil society.

he Community Centre Friedrichsfelde is funded by the erlin State Infrastructure Programme for Community Centres.

The programme aims to underpin the social infrastructure and community in Berlin’s neighbourhood communities. It provides financial support for the construction, modernisation and maintenance of community centres that serve as important meeting places for the residents of these communities. The programme also supports the creation of accessible spaces and facilities to ensure that people of all ages and with different needs can access the services and activities the community centres offer. Thus helping to foster social inclusion, education, cultural activities and family support.

The Senate Department for Labour, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination and the State Office for Health and Social Affairs are responsible for implementing the infrastructure funding programme.

The Senate Department for Labour, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination is responsible for a wide range of topics and tasks relating to social affairs and equality. Its role is to develop policies and measures to improve the quality of life for the residents of Berlin and to promote social justice and strengthen the city’s diversity.

The State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGeSo) is responsible for planning, organising and implementing health and social policy in Berlin. It plays an important role in safeguarding the provision of health services and social support for Berlin’s residents. It works to promote the quality of life and well-being of the population.

The Community Centre Friedrichsfelde is part of a network of community centres in Berlin.

Berlin’s community centres and the self-help contact points that cooperate with them are important social institutions located in Berlin’s various boroughs. These centres are multi-purpose facilities that offer a wide range of services and activities for the local community. Their main goal is to promote social cohesion, increase civic engagement and facilitate integration in the neighbourhoods

Our provider, pad gGmbH, is a member of the “Paritätische Gesamtverband“.

The association provides professional support and advice to Community Centre Friedrichsfelde.

The “Paritätische Gesamtverband” is one of the largest umbrella organisations for independent welfare organisations in Germany. It is an independent, non-profit association with numerous member organisations, including associations, foundations and initiatives working in the social, health and education sectors.

All neighbourhood and community centres that receive infrastructure funding from the Berlin Senate are members of the VskA Berlin.

The Community Centre Friedrichsfelde receives support and guidance in its work from the VskA, for example through networking formats, counselling and information events.

The VskA is a non-profit professional association based in Berlin. It specialises in supporting and promoting socio-cultural work and neighbourhood work, acting as an advocacy and networking organisation for actors in these fields.