This research and development project is based on principles and experiences of community organizing as well as the past years’ considerations on critical Social Work. It adopts a newly defined understanding of Social Work in the social space drawing on the works of scholars such as Kleve (2016: Kritische Sozialarbeit 3.0), Kessl & Reutlinger (2009: Sozialraumarbeit statt Sozialraumorientierung), Munsch (2015: Diversity und bürgerschaftliches Engagement), and Scheu & Autrata (2013: Partizipation in der Sozialen Arbeit).

Against this background and in light of changing political framework conditions, we seek to develop a new definition of Social Work. Under the working title “Community Work 4.0.”, we strive towards Social Work with the purpose of accompanying and strengthening self-organization and social generative processes. The focus is both on the required methodology, useful methods and action-oriented concepts, and the framework conditions and settings in need of change. 

How can we rethink, understand, and practice Social Work as a primarily accompanying and supportive activity? Which consequences does this entail for training and further education – when it comes to a changed understanding of a Social Worker’s role, the resulting professional actions required, and the competencies and skills to be acquired?