The tendency of human beings to spatially concentrate their social and economic activities is constant and, in many cases, accelerating. Continuous growth is turning large cities into power hubs that exert their influence, often in alliance with other cities, with increasing self-confidence in national and global arenas. Cities also derive their increasing influence on the international scene from their capacity to respond locally to global challenges. The effects of climate change associated with the rise of temperatures are forcing local governments to develop local adaptation strategies. The challenges posed by social inequalities and migration are often turned into opportunities to strengthen the social tissue through inclusive programs.

Since the challenges facing individual cities are often comparable, we believe that close collaboration, not only on the political but especially on the technical level, can help cities design and implement sustainable solutions faster. BBJ Consult AG has in-house expertise and long-standing experience as a facilitator in urban development, cooperation and urban diplomacy that we deploy in a variety of fields and projects. For a decade, BBJ Consult AG has supported Berlin’s international exchanges with other European cities in the area of employment and vocational training. At the moment the focus is very much on collaboration and exchanges amongst cities to more efficiently achieve the implementation of the UN Convention on persons with disabilities and a barrier free urban design. Here, our maxim is: ‘People don’t have disabilities, their cities do’.

We are currently implementing the following projects in the field:

Support in international activities
(01.01.2017 – 23.12.2019, EUR 198,000.00, Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection)

We support international visits and events and the department’s role as a host, we support the department’s role in chairing the ‘Barrier-free City’ working group in EUROCITIES, we organize and manage the Berlin collaboratory of public and private actors working on design for all, we support the implementation of the memorandum on cooperation between the cities of Berlin and Moscow. Cooperation and exchanges between Berlin and Moscow are currently focused on ‘design for all’. BBJ’s role:

• conceptualization, design, implementation, documentation and evaluation of international cooperation frameworks and exchanges
• conceptualization and organisation of conferences, seminars, trips, talks and meetings

use (urban sustainability exchange)
(31.01.2018 – 31.12.2019, EUR 76,752.00, Berlin Senate Chancellery)

The urban sustainability exchange platform is a global database of sustainable urban solutions, regardless of whether they are in the planning stage or long implemented. Case studies are tagged to challenges and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Urban developers and city makers can use this tool for inspiration, to avoid mistakes and to design and implement urban development projects more efficiently. To facilitate exchanges and the translation of one urban context to another, experts involved in the design and implementation of a referenced project can be contacted via the database. The project is implemented with UCLG’s (United Cities and Local Governments) Metropolis network. BBJ’s role:

• design and implementation of public outreach, dissemination and communication
• management of content, community and partnerships

Metropolis: Sustainable Cities Collaboratory
(12.03.2018 – 31.12.2020, EUR 167,904.00, Berlin Senate Chancellery)

The Sustainable Cities Collaboratory brings together urban officers, scientists and practitioners from ten cities on all continents with the aim of co-creating knowledge on globally applicable and practical pathways. In doing so, the goal is to achieve the objectives formulated in global agendas such as the SDGs or the New Urban Agenda. The output is used to advise the Metropolis city network’s presidency, currently held by Berlin’s Mayor. BBJ’s role:

• recruitment and management of co-creators
• conceptualization, organization, documentation and evaluation of the co-creation of knowledge and collaboration
• implementation of virtual and physical meetings

Formal and technical assessment of ESF applications
(01.09.2017 – 31.12.2019 and 01.01.2020 – 31.12.2021, no fixed budget, EFG GmbH functioning as an intermediary body on behalf of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Enterprises)

BBJ Consult AG supports the examination of project applications submitted within the framework of the European Social Fund (ESF) Berlin, an instrument to promote employment and social inclusion in Europe. The ESF is an important instrument for promoting sustainable social and thus urban development. Around 215 million EUR will be invested during the current funding period in the social integration of disadvantaged groups, better qualification for jobs, combating youth unemployment and optimising education and training. BBJ’s role:

• formal and technical assessment and evaluation of project applications for ESF funds regarding
• assessing the likelihood of a project of achieving its aims
• assessing the plausibility and efficiency of technical and staffing concepts
• checking an applicant’s technical, administrative and financial capacities
• checking conformity of funding options, staff and participant remuneration with ESF rules

Globalisation and the growth of the fast-changing knowledge economy mean that people require upgrading their skills throughout their adulthood to cope with modern life, both in their work and private lives. Learning will therefore never lose its significance – in fact the very opposite is true. A successful implementation of lifelong learning strategies and programmes will have positive economic, social, cultural and even environmental impacts. Learning has many facets and is a transformative process that can take place at the individual, societal and organisational level. We believe a human being cannot not learn. Already during the process, learning can solve problems and conflicts, it creates opportunities and pathways for individuals, and synergies and innovation for organisations and societies.

Learning is, in our view, the most efficient instrument to achieve justice and inclusion and to acquire new opportunities.

BBJ Consult AG has built its reputation on high-quality services such as designing and managing projects that support the transition from school to work, the integration of disadvantaged groups into training and jobs and lifelong learning to support opportunities and mobility. With a focus on these aspects we gained considerable expertise in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), labour market and education.

Activities and services provided in this field include conceptualising and developing strategies, methods (for example peer-learning activities) and formats considering future trends, technological changes, or teaching and learning standards in all fields of lifelong learning. We have been involved in efforts to systematize the outcomes of formal, non-formal and informal learning in the development of skills and qualification frameworks, in knowledge building and digital learning. We have also worked with educational institutions and the public and private employment sector for more than three decades to improve the lives and opportunities of individuals as well as the performance of local, regional, national and European labour markets.

Currently, we are implementing the following projects in the field:

Support for the development and implementation of the German Qualifications Framework
(01.02.2017 – 31.01.2021, EUR 553,045.00, Federal Ministry for Education and Research)

Since 2007 BBJ Consult AG provides support services for the implementation and further development of the German Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (DQR). The DQR was developed under the joint responsibility of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. In order to develop the DQR and to coordinate the process, a DQR Federal Government-Federal State coordination group (B-L-KG DQR) was introduced. Relevant stakeholders from all areas of education and the economy in Germany are also involved in the development and implementation of the DQR. These include higher education and VET organisations, social partners, business organisations and chambers, as well as experts from academia and professional practice. The DQR was developed to increase transparency within the German education system and all obtainable qualifications. It allocates the qualifications of the different education sectors into eight competence levels which are described in terms of learning outcomes. Learning outcomes describe what learners know, understand and are able to do on completion of a learning process. The allocation of non-formal qualifications is currently being piloted. Referencing the DQR to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) makes it easier to compare qualifications – in Europe and in Germany. This supports the mobility of learners and workers. BBJ’s role:

• accompanying studies and evaluations on the effects of the DQR/EQR on companies and the labour market
• supporting the BMBF in terms of content and organisation within the framework of the allocation of qualifications to the DQR
• information and training events for the labour market and educational institutions on how to use the DQR instrument
• assistance in public relations for the DQR, including information and advice for companies, labour market and educational institutions and employees
• content and organisational support regarding the activities at EU level (EQF, EURES, Cedefop, Europass)

Development and Management of the Network “Verstärker (= amplifier)
(01.10.2017 – 30.09.2020, EUR 655,825.00, Federal Ministry of the Interior)

BBJ Consult AG is entrusted with the organisation, maintenance and support of the network “Amplifier” and the coordination of all network activities. The “Verstärker” network of the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) is aimed at multipliers from youth, social and educational work. In various formats, strategies and ideas for pilot projects are developed with the aim of reaching young people from so-called politically distant and educationally disadvantaged milieus – the result is their empowerment and integration into actively participating in socio-political life. A regular comparison and assessment of scientific findings, jointly experienced practical work and the follow-up of the developed concepts takes place. BBJ’s role:

• conceptualize and organize a yearly network meeting with approx. 100 participants
• organize 25 two-day workshops (“action formats”) for young people every year
• conceptualize and organize thematic working group meetings
• responsible for social media presence

Support in international activities
(01.01.2017 – 23.12.2019, EUR 198,000.00, Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection)

Within the Mobility Forum of EUROCITIES, BBJ Consult AG supports the working group “Barrier-free city for all” in the implementation of the European Strategy for People with Disabilities (2010-2020). In the implementation of a memorandum on cooperation between Berlin and Moscow BBJ designs and implements study visits and seminars in both cities. Over the years this activity has resulted in more than 3,000 experts on both sides learning, exchanging and discussing innovative approaches to implementing the UN Convention on persons with disabilities and a barrier free urban design or an urban ‘design for all’. BBJ’s role:

• support the city of Berlin in its role of chairing the working group
• design and organize the thematic exchange with the city of Moscow

Formal and technical assessment of ESF applications
(01.09.2017 – 31.12.2019 and 01.01.2020 – 31.12.2021, no fixed budget, EFG GmbH functioning as an intermediary body on behalf of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Enterprises)

BBJ Consult AG supports the examination of project applications submitted within the framework of the European Social Fund (ESF) Berlin, an instrument to promote employment and social inclusion in Europe. The project is funded by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Enterprises & EFG Europäisches Fördermanagement GmbH. In the 2014-2020 funding period, the German capital of Berlin will have around EUR 215 million from the European Social Fund (ESF) at its disposal, which can be invested in the people living here. The focus is on the social integration of disadvantaged groups, better qualification for jobs, combating youth unemployment and optimising education and training. BBJ’s role:

• formal and technical assessment and evaluation of project applications for ESF funds regarding
• assessing the likelihood of a project of achieving its aims
• assessing the plausibility and efficiency of technical and staffing concepts
• checking an applicant’s technical, administrative and financial capacities
• checking conformity of funding options, staff and participant remuneration with ESF rules

Human beings are diverse in a myriad of ways and this diversity in not only a fact of life but a treasure and valuable resource when looking to produce sophisticated and comprehensive solutions to social challenges. Inclusion is the tool for harvesting this resource. Embracing and celebrating the facets that differentiate people is key to developing innovative and thought out strategies that will not only work for all but that will allow everyone to function at full capacity.

When we look for pathways that accept and welcome differences in culture, race, ethnicity, belief, age, sex, gender identity, marital and socioeconomic status, educational background or personality we have found the path that the greatest number of people is happy to follow – allowing everyone to contribute their full potential to whatever goal they are pursuing.

Our team has experience in unleashing the creative and conceptual potential contained in diversity – be it in designing and organizing cultural events that celebrate, process and harness differences in identity and culture – or in developing approaches to civic education that work. In our work for the Senate Chancellery we focus at including perspectives from all over the globe – to support city networks in co-producing knowledge and resources.

BBJ Consult AG has built its reputation with strategies and programmes that include people with disadvantaged backgrounds in education, training and work. We are convinced that any strategy and project that embraces and embeds diversity will be more robust and efficient.

Currently, we are implementing the following projects in the field:

Support for the development and implementation of the German Qualifications Framework
(01.02.2017 – 31.01.2021, EUR 553,045.00, Federal Ministry for Education and Research)

Since 2007 BBJ Consult AG provides Support services for the implementation and further development of the German Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (DQR). Referencing the DQR to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) makes it easier to compare qualifications – in Europe and in Germany. This supports the mobility of learners and workers. Although an exhaustive allocation of non-formal and informal qualifications is still a dream of the future, the allocation of non-formal qualifications is currently being piloted. An allocation of informal qualifications could, in the future, help job seekers, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to find appreciation of informally obtained qualifications and thus increase their chances and opportunities on the labour market. BBJ’s role:

• accompanying studies and evaluations on the effects of the DQR/EQR on companies and the labour market
• supporting the BMBF in terms of content and organisation within the framework of the allocation of qualifications to the DQR
• information and training events for the labour market and educational institutions on how to use the DQR instrument
• assistance in public relations for the DQR, including information and advice for companies, labour market and educational institutions and employees
• content and organisational support regarding the activities at EU level (EQF, EURES, Cedefop, Europass)

Development and Management of the Network “Verstärker” (= amplifier)
(01.10.2017 – 30.09.2020, EUR 655,825.00, Federal Ministry of the Interior)

Germany’s Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) is stepping up its efforts to reach young people from so-called politically distant and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The truth is that young people do have political beliefs – just oftentimes they are unaware that their opinion is political – and that they should voice it. BBJ Consult AG is entrusted with the organisation, maintenance and support of the network “Amplifier” and the coordination of its activities. Target groups are multipliers from youth, social and educational work – based in schools, non-governmental organizations, public authorities or in academia – and of course young people themselves. BBJ’s role:

• conceptualize and organize a yearly a network meeting with approx. 100 participants
• organize 25 two-day workshops (“action formats”) for young people every year
• conceptualize and organize thematic working group meetings
• responsible for social media presence

Support in international activities
(01.01.2017 – 23.12.2019, EUR 198,000.00, Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection)

Within the Mobility Forum of EUROCITIES BBJ Consult AG supports the working group “Barrier-free city for all” in the implementation of the European Strategy for People with Disabilities (2010-2020). Implementing a memorandum on cooperation between Berlin and Moscow we design and organize study visits and seminars in both cities – an activity through which, over the years, more than 3000 experts on both sides have learned, exchanged and discussed innovative approaches to implementing the UN Convention for persons with disabilities and a barrier free urban design or an urban ‘design for all’.  BBJ’s role:

• support the city of Berlin in its role of chairing the working group
• design and organize the thematic exchange with the city of Moscow

Formal and technical assessment of ESF applications
(01.09.2017 – 31.12.2019 and 01.01.2020 – 31.12.2021, no fixed budget, EFG GmbH functioning as an intermediary body on behalf of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Enterprises)

BBJ Consult AG supports the assessment of project applications submitted within the framework of the European Social Fund (ESF) Berlin, an instrument to promote employment and social inclusion in Europe. Between 2014 and 2020 the German capital Berlin will invest roughly 215 million EUR upgrading skills and opportunities and in social innovation that will help find disadvantaged people their place in community, society and working life. BBJ’s role:

• formal and technical assessment and evaluation of project applications for ESF funds regarding
• assessing the likelihood of a project of achieving its aims
• assessing the plausibility and efficiency of technical and staffing concepts
• checking an applicant’s technical, administrative and financial capacities
• checking conformity of funding options, staff and participant remuneration with ESF rules

Young people make up about 70 % of the world’s population and although these figures look very differently in many industrialized countries, this only increases the importance of getting youth policy and support to the next generation right – because in a few years they will be shaping our collective lives and be responsible for bringing about much needed social, economic, cultural and ecological change.

Investing in youth is investing in the future.

Young people, understandably, sometimes have difficulties in understanding and navigating our complex societies. Technology, society and the world of work are changing at an ever-faster pace. Basic youth rights include a non-violent upbringing, education, a decent job, information, a right to voice their opinion and to be heard. Through education, social work and by providing information in a way that is appropriate for the target group we can help empower a self-confident next generation. We put the thematic focus in this field on inclusion (in society and politics as well as learning and labour markets), on democracy, plurality, media competence and social innovation.

BBJ Consult AG has experience in developing and implementing civic education that reaches young people, empowers them to recognize that their opinions are not exclusively personal or private but often political and that they should make them heard. Our focus in on empowerment for participation and engagement in society, the world of work and politics: We assess the likelihood of target achievement and technical plausibility of project applications for ESF funding. We coordinate an Erasmus+ project training multipliers and co-creating knowledge on strategies and approaches to combat gender-based and domestic violence, the victims of which – even if they ‘only’ witness it – are often youth. For decades we have designed and implemented successful projects and programmes that support young people in their transition from school to work and in life-long learning.

Currently, we are implementing the following projects in the field:

Development and Management of the Network “Verstärker (= amplifier)
(01.10.2017 – 30.09.2020, EUR 655,825.00, Federal Ministry of the Interior)

BBJ supports Germany’s Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) in developing and implementing civic education strategies and formats for young people from so-called politically distant and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Objectives include drawing together the know-how of youth and social workers, academia, public authorities and youth to develop approaches that work – and to subsequently lobby for these approaches. The thematic focus is on democracy, the range of challenges it is facing and the critical importance of empowerment for participation. Multipliers from different backgrounds are trained on ever evolving topics, currently the focus is on populism and extremism, manipulative media and digital bubbles and youth cultures. The trainings’ methodologies increasingly rely on critical theories on racism and power structures. The formats directed at youths have their thematic foci on media competence, plurality, empowerment and participation, respect and recognition, vocational orientation and on migration, flight and asylum.
BBJ’s role:

• conceptualize and organize a yearly a network meeting with approx. 100 participants
• organize 25 two-day workshops (“action formats”) for young people every year
• conceptualize and organize thematic working group meetings
• be responsible for social media and outreach

Formal and technical assessment of ESF applications
(01.09.2017 – 31.12.2021, no fixed budget, EFG GmbH functioning as an intermediary body on behalf of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Enterprises)

BBJ Consult AG supports the assessment of project applications submitted within the framework of the European Social Fund (ESF) Berlin, an instrument that directs significant investments towards young people. Several funding instruments within the ESF’S operational programme for Berlin focus on training and qualification for social and youth workers that primarily support teaching staff at primary and secondary schools. Vocational orientation, career guidance and vocational preparation empowering young people to choose a vocation that suits their interests and abilities. These efforts are combined with innovation in education and training, e.g. a combination of vocational training and modular courses at universities. The ‘voluntary ecological / social year’ where young people broaden their horizons and provide valuable support to society, communities in ways that are impossible to achieve through market mechanisms.
BBJ’s role:

• formal and technical assessment and evaluation of project applications for ESF funds regarding
• assessing likelihood of achieving the aims
• assessing the plausibility of technical and staffing concepts

“Love doesn’t hurt” – strategic alliances against domestic and gender-based violence
(01.09.2018 – 31.10.2020, EUR 110,846.00, national agency for Erasmus+)

The victims of gender-based and domestic violence, even if they are ‘only’ witnesses, are often youth. The project’s purpose is to organize mutual exchanges, mutual learning and joint work on strategies for prevention but also on methods to help victims. To achieve this, a partnership between organizations with different approaches was forged. Each of these organizations will host training events for all other partners to share and teach their specific and individual approach but also to get feedback and collegial advice on how the approach can be improved. Project activities also involve local actors and persons affected in order to incorporate their approaches and perspectives.
BBJ’s role:

• designing and implementing an awareness raising campaign
• project coordination, budget management, cost and success monitoring, reporting to the national agency

Our societies are developing and changing fast. And they have to, in order to master the challenges before them: Making and keeping societies inclusive, democratic, sustainable and productive, to name but a few. Neither government nor businesses are going to achieve those aims by themselves. Civil Society organizations often gather people whose individual motivation, personal drive and collective vision is a powerful source of creativity and innovation. Mutual learning and inspiration between Civil Society and governments and administrations has proven to be an efficient way of rising to the challenges together.

Fostering and harvesting the engagement of Civil Society creates a win-win situation: It helps, not only to design more thought-through, more inclusive and thus effective solutions by harvesting often expert knowledge and the genuine and ingrained motivation that people who contribute to Civil Society possess. It also allows those who engage for and with Civil Society to inform and lobby decision makers and implementers, leave their mark in public policies and their implementation and thus promote their cause. Publicizing successful examples of this, in turn, can promote and incentivize more people to contribute and engage – something our (Civil) Societies urgently require.

BBJ Consult AG initiates and coordinates exchanges and strategic partnerships between civil society actors, science, public administrations and (social) entrepreneurs. The objective: Knowledge and expertise is transferred, and shared, more diverse perspectives are anticipated, and synergies are harvested for more effective and more practicable solutions. BBJ Consult AG conceptualizes, advises on, implements and moderates such exchanges and alliances. We develop and implement digital tools that facilitate the relationships and put them into efficient practice. BBJ Consult AG develops and implements training formats, accompanies and documents processes and organizes large conferences and events. The aim: Supporting mutual learning and cross-fertilization among people with very similar aims but very different approaches and viewpoints.

Currently, we are implementing the following projects in the field:

Support in international activities
(01.01.2017 – 23.12.2019, EUR 198,000.00, Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection)

BBJ Consult AG supports the Senate Department in the implementation of a roundtable on barrier-free transport chaired by the responsible state secretary. Stakeholders from Civil Society (associations of concerned persons and of businesses, service and transport providers, scientists, foundations and relevant representatives of the administration) exchange ideas, views and knowledge. They collaborate on specific challenges, provide feedback on and influence public policy – the relationships are healthy when demands and constructive advice are in balance.

use (urban sustainability exchange)
(31.01.2018 – 31.12.2019, EUR 76,752.00, Berlin Senate Chancellery)

The Metropolis use (urban sustainability exchange) platform is a database of case studies and a tool that facilitates social connections between city makers, e.g. urban planners, architects, social innovators and social workers, urban practitioners and scientist. Mutual inspiration and learning helps people all over the world to develop solutions to specific urban challenges faster – even if a solution that works in Dakar cannot be transferred 1 to 1 to Montreal – with a bit of abstractive ability and creativity, ideas from one social context can help transform a wholly different one.

“Lover doesn’t hurt” – strategic alliances against domestic and gender-based violence
(01.09.2018 – 31.10.2020, EUR 110,846.00, National Agency for Erasmus+)

We coordinate a project between six partner organizations that engage in prevention, provide counselling and support, develop pedagogical and therapeutic methods and tools and engage in awareness raising and public debate around gender-based violence. Most partners are non-profit associations, however, also socially engaged companies that provide support for the integration of disadvantaged target groups – or groups requiring support – into the labour market and working (and thus social) life. BBJ’s role:

• designing and implementing an awareness raising campaign
• project coordination, budget management, cost and success monitoring, reporting to the national agency

Development and Management of the Network “Verstärker (= amplifier)
(01.10.2017 – 30.09.2020, EUR 655,825.00, Federal Ministry of the Interior)

BBJ Consult AG supports Germany’s Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) in developing and implementing political education strategies and formats for young people from so-called politically distant and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The work consists in large parts of drawing together the know-how of youth associations and -initiatives, their youth and social workers and in bringing them into a fruitful working relationship with academia, public authorities and youths themselves to develop approaches to political education catch on and that work. The network engages in political lobbying for these approaches. BBJ’s role:

• conceptualize and organize a yearly a network meeting with approx. 100 participants
• organize 25 two-day workshops (“action formats”) for young people every year
• conceptualize and organize thematic working group meetings
• responsible for social media and outreach

Formal and technical assessment of ESF applications
(01.09.2017 – 31.12.2021, no fixed budget, EFG GmbH functioning as an intermediary body on behalf of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Enterprises)

BBJ Consult AG supports the assessment of project applications submitted within the framework of the European Social Fund (ESF) Berlin. We counsel and support applicants, most of them are non-profit organizations and associations pursuing activities and promoting aims in the public and civil society interest. BBJ’s role:

• formal and technical assessment and evaluation of project applications for ESF funds regarding
• assessing the likelihood of a project of achieving its aims
• assessing the plausibility and efficiency of technical and staffing concepts
• checking an applicant’s technical, administrative and financial capacities
• checking conformity of funding options, staff and participant remuneration with ESF rules

Social development is a crucial field that won’t lose any of its dynamism or relevance as long as societies exist. However, social development won’t cease to face challenges, either. Age old visions like equality and fairness remain challenges. Today, media consumption and relating competences, media bubbles and their implications on democracy and collectivity are one of many concerns, as are loneliness and excessive demands on workers that affect especially single parents or struggling families. The list goes on. We believe that our societies lack well developed methods, tools and strategies to support, appreciate, value and recognize ‘social work’. By that we mean sharing time with or caring for senior citizens, bringing up children, engaging in political or community life and contributing to the common good, be it by cleaning up a park, taking part in a demonstration or by organizing a painting or musical activity with children in an old people’s home. How outdated is, for example, our method of calculating a country’s GDP, if such invaluable activities – that undoubtedly produce added value – aren’t taken into account?

BBJ Consult AG has expertise in a number of fields that seek to influence social innovation and development. We believe that fair, permeable and social working conditions and labor markets are an important prerequisite for social development – that is especially the case for disadvantaged groups. Our vision in relation to the European and German Qualifications Framework is, for example, that in the (hopefully near) future, these instruments will develop and implement procedures that can comprehensively recognize outcomes of informal learning. This way, someone who has raised kids, cared for an old person or contributed to civil engagement will receive not just symbolic or emotional but formal recognition of such an engagement that will help in building on this experience when looking for further training and education or a decent job.

We support efforts to get youths from disadvantaged educational backgrounds into an active exchange with their political and social environment. We empower them in voicing their opinion and build on their confidence that their voices will be heard and have an impact.

We support in the assessment of ESF project applications that all have as their aim social innovation and development at individual and collective levels with the strategic thrust being directed in many suitable directions.

Currently, we are implementing the following projects in the field:

Support for the development and implementation of the German Qualifications Framework
(01.02.2017 – 31.01.2021, EUR 553,045.00, Federal Ministry for Education and Research)

Since 2007 BBJ Consult AG provides support services for the implementation and further development of the German Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (DQR). Harmonizing the DQR with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) makes it easier to compare qualifications – in Europe and in Germany. This supports the mobility of learners and workers, opens up individual opportunities and chances and supports social development. Although an exhaustive allocation of non-formal and informal qualifications to DQR levels is still a dream of the future, the allocation of non-formal qualifications is currently being piloted. An allocation of informal qualifications could, in the future, help job seekers, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to find appreciation of informally obtained qualifications and thus increase their chances and opportunities on the labour market. BBJ’s role:

• accompanying studies and evaluations on the effects of the DQR/EQR on companies and the labour market
• supporting the BMBF in terms of content and organisation within the framework of the allocation of qualifications to the DQR
• information and training events for the labour market and educational institutions on how to use the DQR instrument
• assistance in public relations for the DQR, including information and advice for companies, labour market and educational institutions and employees
• content and organisational support regarding the activities at EU level (EQF, EURES, Cedefop, Europass)

Development and Management of the Network “Verstärker” (= amplifier)
(01.10.2017 – 30.09.2020, EUR 655,825.00, Federal Ministry of the Interior)

Germany’s Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) is stepping up its efforts to reach young people from so-called politically distant and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The objective is to empower young people to voice their opinion, influence the society and politics around them and to contribute to a lively democracy. BBJ Consult AG is entrusted with the organisation, maintenance and support of the network “Verstärker” and the coordination of its activities. Target groups are multipliers from youth, social and educational work – based in schools, non-governmental organizations, public authorities or in academia – and of course young people themselves. BBJ’s role:

• conceptualize and organize a yearly a network meeting with approx. 100 participants
• organize 25 two-day workshops (“action formats”) for young people every year
• conceptualize and organize thematic working group meetings
• responsible for social media presence

Formal and technical assessment of ESF applications
(01.09.2017 – 31.12.2021, no fixed budget, EFG GmbH functioning as an intermediary body on behalf of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Enterprises)

BBJ Consult AG supports the assessment of project applications submitted within the framework of the European Social Fund (ESF) Berlin, an instrument to promote social innovation, inclusion and development. Many committed non-profit actors implement well designed measures with and for socially disadvantaged groups, supporting them in overcoming or managing social and individual difficulties, like a drug-addiction, extreme media consumption, learning disabilities, loneliness or financial trouble (debts and financial management). Promising ideas are, among many others, to support affected people in assisting others (peer methods), motivating senior citizens grabbling with loneliness to support struggling single parents or families. BBJ’s role:

• formal and technical assessment and evaluation of project applications for ESF funds regarding
• assessing the likelihood of a project of achieving its aims
• assessing the plausibility and efficiency of technical and staffing concepts
• checking an applicant’s technical, administrative and financial capacities
• checking conformity of funding options, staff and participant remuneration with ESF rules