Lernlabor is a Berlin-based social business with charitable status

We create innovative educational, cultural and artistic projects.
Through our local and international activities we foster creativity, (inter)cultural exchange and lifelong learning.

Lernlabor has
three main areas of focus

Youth Participation

We provide young people with the skills, tools and support structures to strengthen their active citizenship and participation in democratic life.
We run local and international projects, co-designed by young people, that engage with issues that are relevant to youth.

Outdoor Education

From our local climbing projects in Berlin, to international expeditions in Norway, Spain and Ukraine, Outdoor Education is one of our core activities.
We train outdoor leaders and cooperate with professional outdoor educators and guides to offer a wide of activities for all levels of experience, ranging from novice to advanced.

Art & Culture

We organise local and international residencies for emerging artists in addition to training courses for youth workers and educators focusing on art and culture as a tool for non-formal education and youth work.

Our goal is for these three areas to complement each other synergistically through forging connections between grassroots initiatives at the local level, educational cooperation at the international level, and the sphere of policymaking.

News

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
4 weeks ago

We are very pleased to share “(Un)learn to Unleash: Weaving Artistic Connections for Growth and Resistance(s)” our recent internacional training project that took place in 14-23 october 2024 in Königs Wusterhausen (Germany).

This immersive experimental workshop focused on contemporary ecosocial challenges, examining how Art can serve as a catalyst for change. “(Un)learn to unleash your creative potential” was the invitation to participants, encouraging them to bring their curiosity and willingness to experiment togetherness while we offered a creative space to question dominant narratives to explore other stories and creations inspired in embodied learning and radical imagination.

The process travelled from led sessions about current ecosocial uncertainties such climate change, unsustainability, food sovereignty… to participatory artistic activities inspired by (eco)socially engaged art practices, trauma-informed approaches, ancestral and transdisciplinary learning, ecological literacy, outdoors non formal education... that strengthen our collective growth and resilience while challenging our perceptions about what Nature is.

There are many results from all the activities, the most important the final collaborative projects which we will share with you soon!

This experimental methodology led by Seila Fernández Arconada guided participants from a space of individual artistic explorations to collaborative creations as a process to unleash their creative potential. Together with the team, we encouraged a safe respectful environment while cultivating experiential growth.

“As a (bio)diversed ecosystem, we weaved, becoming crops planted as a unique network of situated resistance(s)”. We would like to highlight the uniqueness of this experience not only for participants but also the team.

Thank you to all who made such special project possible including participants but also the hosting community Tagungshaus Wernsdorf and Wellesly for the fantastic cooking.

The project has been organised by Lernlabor and co-funded by the European Union.

@jugend_fuer_europa #unlearntounleash #erasmusplusyouth #jugendfuereuropa

Photos by Hanga, Gizem, Geo and Seila
... See MoreSee Less

We are very pleased to share “(Un)learn to Unleash: Weaving Artistic Connections for Growth and Resistance(s)” our recent internacional training project that took place in 14-23 october 2024 in Königs Wusterhausen (Germany).

This immersive experimental workshop focused on contemporary ecosocial challenges, examining how Art can serve as a catalyst for change. “(Un)learn to unleash your creative potential” was the invitation to participants, encouraging them to bring their curiosity and willingness to experiment togetherness while we offered a creative space to question dominant narratives to explore other stories and creations inspired in embodied learning and radical imagination. 
 
The process travelled from led sessions about current ecosocial uncertainties such climate change, unsustainability, food sovereignty… to participatory artistic activities inspired by (eco)socially engaged art practices, trauma-informed approaches, ancestral and transdisciplinary learning, ecological literacy, outdoors non formal education... that strengthen our collective growth and resilience while challenging our perceptions about what Nature is. 

There are many results from all the activities, the most important the final collaborative projects which we will share with you soon!

This experimental methodology led by Seila Fernández Arconada guided participants from a space of individual artistic explorations to collaborative creations as a process to unleash their creative potential. Together with the team, we encouraged a safe respectful environment while cultivating experiential growth. 

“As a (bio)diversed ecosystem, we weaved, becoming crops planted as a unique network of situated resistance(s)”. We would like to highlight the uniqueness of this experience not only for participants but also the team. 

Thank you to all who made such special project possible including participants but also the hosting community Tagungshaus Wernsdorf and Wellesly for the fantastic cooking. 

The project has been organised by Lernlabor and co-funded by the European Union. 

@jugend_fuer_europa #unlearntounleash #erasmusplusyouth #jugendfuereuropa 
 
Photos by Hanga, Gizem, Geo and SeilaImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment
2 months ago

Youthwork and the Sea was an 8-day Training Course that set off from Athens, exploring the cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea.

Guided by experienced captains and professional instructors, we gained a technical introduction to sailing, learning about weather, navigation, knots, commands and manoeuvres, to keep us safe and afloat on the high seas.

The project also engaged with maritime histories, cultures and ecosystems, exploring ways in which the sea can be used to understand more about ourselves and our relationship to the habitats that sustain us.

With the new knowledge and tools gained, we feel more confident and inspired to integrate sailing and water sports into our outdoor activities, to complement our already established hiking, climbing and wilderness projects.

Thanks to our amazing participants for their engagement and our trainers for sharing their knowledge.

A big shout out to JUGEND für Europa for making such experiences possible.

📸Project seen through the lens of one of our participants Nini Kipiani

This project was co-funded by the European Union 🇪🇺

#erasmusplusyouth
#jugendfuereuropa
... See MoreSee Less

Youthwork and the Sea was an 8-day Training Course that set off from Athens, exploring the cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea.

Guided by experienced captains and professional instructors, we gained a technical introduction to sailing, learning about weather, navigation, knots, commands and manoeuvres, to keep us safe and afloat on the high seas. 

The project also engaged with maritime histories, cultures and ecosystems, exploring ways in which the sea can be used to understand more about ourselves and our relationship to the habitats that sustain us.

With the new knowledge and tools gained, we feel more confident and inspired to integrate sailing and water sports into our outdoor activities, to complement our already established hiking, climbing and wilderness projects.  

Thanks to our amazing participants for their engagement and our trainers for sharing their knowledge. 

A big shout out to @jugend_fuer_europa for making such experiences possible. 

📸Project seen through the lens of one of our participants @ninikipi 

This project was co-funded by the European Union 🇪🇺 

#erasmusplusyouth
#jugendfuereuropaImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

<3 <3

2 months ago

📣Call for PARTICIPANTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE of Lernlabor Berlin 📢

About the project 🚀🚀🚀
↪︎To introduce and experiment with Virtual Reality (VR) and AI technologies and its applications in youth work, providing hands-on experience for participants to integrate VR into their professional practice.
↪︎To explore and evaluate digital tools that can enhance the effectiveness of youth work, enabling participants to leverage modern technologies for communication, education, and engagement with young people.
↪︎To develop skills for maintaining a healthy balance between digital and offline experiences by integrating practices that promote well-being, such as mindfulness, alongside the use of technology.
↪︎To practice and implement mindfulness and mental health techniques, helping youth workers support young people in managing stress and staying grounded in a tech-driven world.
↪︎To design, create, and test digital-based tools and applications aimed at enhancing youth engagement, learning, and development, fostering innovation in youth work practices.
↪︎To equip participants with tools for fostering digital literacy among young people, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by modern technologies.

⏳ When: 17-25 November 2024

🌏 Where: Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪

👀 Participant’s profile:
- Aged 18 + years
- Youth workers, activists, researchers, journalists, lawyers, scientists, or artists.
- Residents of the EU, North Macedonia, Serbia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Türkiye.
- Good level of English

🧰Finance:
Accommodation, food, and travel costs will be fully covered by the Erasmus+ program.

Participation fee: €40
↪︎DDL for application: 6 of October’24, midnight.
LINK to application form:
forms.gle/gVBpGRCaATTYqjbXA
... See MoreSee Less

📣Call for PARTICIPANTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE of Lernlabor Berlin 📢

About the project 🚀🚀🚀
↪︎To introduce and experiment with Virtual Reality (VR) and AI technologies and its applications in youth work, providing hands-on experience for participants to integrate VR into their professional practice.
↪︎To explore and evaluate digital tools that can enhance the effectiveness of youth work, enabling participants to leverage modern technologies for communication, education, and engagement with young people.
↪︎To develop skills for maintaining a healthy balance between digital and offline experiences by integrating practices that promote well-being, such as mindfulness, alongside the use of technology.
↪︎To practice and implement mindfulness and mental health techniques, helping youth workers support young people in managing stress and staying grounded in a tech-driven world.
↪︎To design, create, and test digital-based tools and applications aimed at enhancing youth engagement, learning, and development, fostering innovation in youth work practices.
↪︎To equip participants with tools for fostering digital literacy among young people, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by modern technologies.

⏳ When:  17-25 November 2024

🌏 Where: Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪

 👀 Participant’s profile:
- Aged 18 + years
- Youth workers, activists, researchers, journalists, lawyers, scientists, or artists.
- Residents of the EU, North Macedonia, Serbia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Türkiye.
- Good level of English
 
🧰Finance:
Accommodation, food, and travel costs will be fully covered by the Erasmus+ program.

Participation fee: €40
↪︎DDL for application: 6 of October’24, midnight.
LINK to application form:
https://forms.gle/gVBpGRCaATTYqjbXA
3 months ago

Sharing some snippets from the international youth exchange “Soul Kitchen”, captured by Danilo

“Soul Kitchen” provided space to explore and experiment - where we learned more about fair trade, zero & minimal waste, performative cooking…
 
Performative cooking made us more conscious of what we consume and how many aspects food can bring about.

We have talked about food related rituals, how food and cooking stores memories

While talking about fair trade we deconstructed the recipes we know the best from home, mapping where these products originated from

Aaron took us foraging, we have collected quite a wide range of plants and herbs that we identified and researched. Reading about their properties helped us in categorization for tea and natural repellent making. Checking on translations of the names showed us how differently perceived these plants are in different cultures

Wellesley explained how fermentation works and showed us how many things an apple can offer, starting from an apple pie and ending with an apple vinegar

Marsha shared her natural cosmetics recipes using the scraps collected in our kitchen

Autumn guided us through soil meditation, reading the healthy soil manifesto and putting emphasis on the fact that soil is the foundation of our food system and that we should take better care of it

Maria gave us tips on how to photograph food to keep its essence and character

Giorgia showed us how to make a proper homemade Italian pasta

and the list goes on, that’s why you need to check out “Soul Kitchen” zine, that is a communal result of 13 days spent together as a group of different backgrounds and traditions.

It could be found here, on this link:
#https://indd.adobe.com/view/70288a55-af03-4f10-beeb-70e9b5e05e8c

thanks to our partners: @casajuventude_amarante @walkthetalk.sweden @ngo_logos @associazioneinformagiovani @backtotheroots.eu

and @jugend_fuer_europa
... See MoreSee Less

Sharing some snippets from the international youth exchange “Soul Kitchen”, captured by Danilo

“Soul Kitchen” provided space to explore and experiment - where we learned more about fair trade, zero & minimal waste, performative cooking…
 
Performative cooking made us more conscious of what we consume and how many aspects food can bring about.

We have talked about food related rituals, how food and cooking stores memories

While talking about fair trade we deconstructed the recipes we know the best from home, mapping where these products originated from

Aaron took us foraging, we have collected quite a wide range of plants and herbs that we identified and researched. Reading about their properties helped us in categorization for tea and natural repellent making. Checking on translations of the names showed us how differently perceived these plants are in different cultures

Wellesley explained how fermentation works and showed us how many things an apple can offer, starting from an apple pie and ending with an apple vinegar

Marsha shared her natural cosmetics recipes using the scraps collected in our kitchen

Autumn guided us through soil meditation, reading the healthy soil manifesto and putting emphasis on the fact that soil is the foundation of our food system and that we should take better care of it

Maria gave us tips on how to photograph food to keep its essence and character

Giorgia showed us how to make a proper homemade Italian pasta

and the list goes on, that’s why you need to check out “Soul Kitchen” zine, that is a communal result of 13 days spent together as a group of different backgrounds and traditions.

It could be found here, on this link:
#https://indd.adobe.com/view/70288a55-af03-4f10-beeb-70e9b5e05e8c

thanks to our partners: @casajuventude_amarante @walkthetalk.sweden @ngo_logos @associazioneinformagiovani @backtotheroots.eu 

and @jugend_fuer_europaImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment
3 months ago

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE (14-23.10.24)
We are looking for participants from programme countries (EU, Turkey, Norway, Macedonia)

Are you ready to learn to (un)learn and unleash your creative potential? Join us for an immersive experimental workshop that explore how Art can serve as a catalyst for change addressing contemporary ecosocial challenges.

This international training course will be led by Seila Fernández Arconada, following a situated group methodology, where we will travel from led sessions to participatory activities and spaces for artistic collaboration.

Who can participate?

Participants from different backgrounds interested in the topic and involved in the filed of youth work, seeking personal and societal transformation as well as professional artists, ecologists or other disciplines and practitioners (in permaculture, farming, growing etc)

Accommodation, food, and travel costs will be fully covered by the Erasmus+ program.

Participation fee: €50
Deadline until 5 of September, midnight.

For the further information please check the application form: forms.gle/ZudspCdepwAFAByi9
... See MoreSee Less

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE (14-23.10.24) 
We are looking for participants from programme countries (EU, Turkey, Norway, Macedonia)

Are you ready to learn to (un)learn and unleash your creative potential? Join us for an immersive experimental workshop that explore how Art can serve as a catalyst for change addressing contemporary ecosocial challenges.

This international training course will be led by Seila Fernández Arconada, following a situated group methodology, where we will travel from led sessions to participatory activities and spaces for artistic collaboration.

Who can participate?

Participants from different backgrounds interested in the topic and involved in the filed of youth work, seeking personal and societal transformation as well as professional artists, ecologists or other disciplines and practitioners (in permaculture, farming, growing etc)

Accommodation, food, and travel costs will be fully covered by the Erasmus+ program.

Participation fee: €50
Deadline until 5 of September, midnight.

For the further information please check the application form: https://forms.gle/ZudspCdepwAFAByi9
4 months ago

Climb Beyond Borders was an 8-day Training Course that took place in the Sveri Adventure Camp in the Imereti region of Georgia.

The project provided the necessary hard skills and pedagogical competencies to use outdoor education and climbing as an effective education tool to forge community development.

Involving participants from the Georgia, Lebanon and the EU, Climb Beyond Border fostered professional connections between youth workers and civil society organizations in the European Union and neighbouring countries.

Participants were trained in the fundamental techniques of climbing, learning essential foundational skills to German Alpine Club and UIAA standards. This provided the foundation for participants to design and implement their own educational climbing workshops, engaging with themes such as trust, women’s empowerment, conflict management, communication and social inclusion.

Thanks to our amazing participants for their engagement, our trainers @peter.angus.mitchell @samsonidze_emili and our wonderful hosts @uchaburduli, @climbing.lizards and @sveriadventurecamp

A big shout out to @jugend_fuer_europa for making such experiences possible.

This project was co-funded by the European Union 🇪🇺

#erasmusplusyouth
#jugendfuereuropa
#climbbeyondborders
... See MoreSee Less

Climb Beyond Borders was an 8-day Training Course that took place in the Sveri Adventure Camp in the Imereti region of Georgia. 

The project provided the necessary hard skills and pedagogical competencies to use outdoor education and climbing as an effective education tool to forge community development.

Involving participants from the Georgia, Lebanon and the EU, Climb Beyond Border fostered professional connections between youth workers and civil society organizations in the European Union and neighbouring countries.  

Participants were trained in the fundamental techniques of climbing, learning essential foundational skills to German Alpine Club and UIAA standards. This provided the foundation for participants to design and implement their own educational climbing workshops, engaging with themes such as trust, women’s empowerment, conflict management, communication and social inclusion. 

Thanks to our amazing participants for their engagement, our trainers @peter.angus.mitchell @samsonidze_emili and our wonderful hosts @uchaburduli, @climbing.lizards and @sveriadventurecamp 

A big shout out to @jugend_fuer_europa for making such experiences possible. 

This project was co-funded by the European Union 🇪🇺 
 
#erasmusplusyouth
#jugendfuereuropa
#climbbeyondbordersImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment
4 months ago

‼️Call for Job Shadowing in Lernlabor Berlin‼️

📣Join our team for 2-8 weeks and learn more about youth work and cross-disciplinary approaches in non-formal education📣

📆When: From October 2024 to August 2025 (anytime for 2-8 weeks)
📌Where: Berlin, Germany

🧰About the project:
During 2-8 weeks, depending on current activities in the Lernlabor, the participants will learn:
Skill Enhancement: Allows participants to learn new methods, techniques, and strategies in youth work and non-formal education by observing and interacting with experienced professionals.
Best Practices: Exposure to best practices in the field, enabling participants to understand what works well in different settings and how they can adapt these practices to their own work.
Cross-Disciplinary Insights: By shadowing professionals in different but related fields, participants gain a broader understanding of how various disciplines intersect with youth work and non-formal education.
Innovative Approaches: Learning about innovative and effective approaches that may not be common in their own discipline or context.
Building Connections: Facilitates networking opportunities, fostering relationships between individuals and organizations that can lead to future collaborations.
Cultural Competence: In an international context, job shadowing provides insights into different cultural approaches to youth work, enhancing participants' cultural competence
Reflective Practice: Encourages participants to reflect on their own practices and consider how new insights and experiences can be integrated into their work.
Experiential Learning: Provides hands-on, practical learning experiences that are central to non-formal education principles.
Engaging Youth: Equips youth workers with new strategies to engage young people effectively, making learning more interactive and impactful.

👀 Participant’s profile:
- Aged 18 + years
- Youth workers, activists, researchers, journalists, lawyers, scientists, or artists.
- Residents of the EU or Partner couriers of the EU (Eastern Europe, Middle East, Balkans and North Africa) 🇪🇺
- Good level of English or German

🛒 Finance:
The agreement covers accommodation, food, pocket money and travel costs.
No participation fee

↪︎DDL for application: Ongoing
LINK to application form:
forms.gle/nqgCUu2W29CsvswY9
... See MoreSee Less

‼️Call for Job Shadowing in Lernlabor Berlin‼️

📣Join our team for 2-8 weeks and learn more about youth work and cross-disciplinary approaches in non-formal education📣

📆When:  From October 2024 to August 2025 (anytime for 2-8 weeks)
📌Where: Berlin, Germany

 🧰About the project:
During 2-8 weeks, depending on current activities in the Lernlabor, the participants will learn:
Skill Enhancement: Allows participants to learn new methods, techniques, and strategies in youth work and non-formal education by observing and interacting with experienced professionals.
Best Practices: Exposure to best practices in the field, enabling participants to understand what works well in different settings and how they can adapt these practices to their own work.
Cross-Disciplinary Insights: By shadowing professionals in different but related fields, participants gain a broader understanding of how various disciplines intersect with youth work and non-formal education.
Innovative Approaches: Learning about innovative and effective approaches that may not be common in their own discipline or context.
Building Connections: Facilitates networking opportunities, fostering relationships between individuals and organizations that can lead to future collaborations.
Cultural Competence: In an international context, job shadowing provides insights into different cultural approaches to youth work, enhancing participants cultural competence
Reflective Practice: Encourages participants to reflect on their own practices and consider how new insights and experiences can be integrated into their work.
Experiential Learning: Provides hands-on, practical learning experiences that are central to non-formal education principles.
Engaging Youth: Equips youth workers with new strategies to engage young people effectively, making learning more interactive and impactful.

👀 Participant’s profile:
- Aged 18 + years
- Youth workers, activists, researchers, journalists, lawyers, scientists, or artists.
- Residents of the EU or Partner couriers of the EU (Eastern Europe, Middle East, Balkans and North Africa) 🇪🇺
- Good level of English or German

🛒 Finance:
The agreement covers accommodation, food, pocket money and travel costs.
No participation fee

↪︎DDL for application: Ongoing
LINK to application form:
https://forms.gle/nqgCUu2W29CsvswY9
4 months ago

Photos from Climb it UP project's post ... See MoreSee Less

Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment
5 months ago

Youthwork Flow is the second edition of the Erasmus+ training course that took place in Königs Wusterhausen this time.

The project offered eight days of workshops exploring the world of acroyoga, partner acrobatics thus introduction to consent.

Practicing consent within acroyoga truly enriches the experience and offers clear communication and clarity.

The learnings gained during the workshop of @acroyoga_en_question helped us to provide safer space for all the participants.

The project took place near Berlin and was led by the internationally acclaimed Acroyoga trainers and performers, Juri Kussmaul and YogaRebel.de

The project explored the practise of acroyoga as a new tool for non-formal education, personal development and community development, providing us with new knowledge and insight applicable to the youth work sector in general.

Acroyoga provides a highly effective frame for engaging with important topical issues such as trust, giving and receiving feedback, communicating needs and boundaries, as well as personal goal setting and community building, as our project demonstrated.

Many thanks to our inspiring participants, hosts and the cooking team for their engagement, contribution, feedback and input!

Shout out to JUGEND für Europa europa for making such experiences possible.
... See MoreSee Less

Youthwork Flow is the second edition of the  Erasmus+ training course that took place in Königs Wusterhausen this time. 

The project offered eight days of workshops exploring the world of acroyoga, partner acrobatics thus introduction to consent.

Practicing consent within acroyoga truly enriches the experience and offers clear communication and clarity.

The learnings gained during the workshop of  @acroyoga_en_question helped us to provide safer space for all the participants.

The project took place near Berlin and was led by the internationally acclaimed Acroyoga trainers and performers, @jurikussmaul and @angeli.que_poulain 

The project explored the practise of acroyoga as a new tool for non-formal education, personal development and community development, providing us with new knowledge and insight applicable to the youth work sector in general. 

Acroyoga provides a highly effective frame for engaging with important topical issues such as trust, giving and receiving feedback, communicating needs and boundaries, as well as personal goal setting and community building, as our project demonstrated.

Many thanks to our inspiring participants, hosts and the cooking team for their engagement, contribution, feedback and input!

Shout out to @jugend_fuer_europa europa for making such experiences possible.Image attachmentImage attachment+7Image attachment
Load more