Common Ground

Play, Lead, Create

Play, Lead, Create

The coronavirus pandemic is challenging the world in unprece­dented ways. Only if we all play our part and show solidarity with those affected most can we overcome this crisis and emerge as an even stronger society.

Not all children and adolescents in Germany have the same opportuni­ties for personal development and active participation in society. The inequalities and social exclusion that these young people face have been exacerbated by the coronavirus crisis. School closures and the suspen­sion of activities offering participants a sense of belonging and positive social experiences have resulted in an increasing number of young peop­le feeling frustrated, helpless, apathetic and alienated.

The Common Ground project is addressing these challenges by providing young people most affected by the pandemic with valuable social and learning experiences.

Led by KICKFAIR, the project aims to implement Common Grounds in Bundesliga cities in the years 2020-2021 with a follow-up plan for sus­tainable growth and local ownership. A Common Ground is a safe space consisting of a whole concept of quality education built around a street football pitch and youth organising office where young people can meet, have positive social experiences and develop their potential - and contri­bute to social change.

As the co-creators of all Common Ground activities, young people‘s role and perception shift from beneficiaries to real experts and active decision makers, taking on an active role in expanding their learning and changing their individual life circumstances for the better. Common Grounds will be closely connected to schools and their curricula fostering holistic, po­tential-oriented learning. The methodology underlying the programmes carried out in these locations places the personal development of young people at the centre of community transformation.

The approach of Common Ground is based on KICKFAIR’s educational concept with the structural integration of individual elements in schools and their curriculum and seeks to achieve positive changes, both on an individual level and on a societal level.

The Goal

A society where every young person has equal opportunities to play, lead, and create positive change for themselves and their communities.

The Strategy

Using street football to enable young people to develop skills and abilities they need to develop positive life perspectives and find their place in society.

How it Works

The project uses a holistic football-based educational model and establishes Common Grounds enabling young people to play, lead and co-create society.

Challenge

Not all children and adolescents in Germany have equal opportunities to develop, realise their potential, and to live a happy life. This can result in:
Unhealthy behaviour
Frustration, resignation, lack of self-esteem and self-confidence among youth, leading to destructive coping strategies.
Undeveloped potential
Loss of talents and potentials needed in all sectors.
Social Exclusion
Threat of our societal cohesion (locally and globally).

Solution

Work against mechanisms and dynamics that lead to unequal opportunities threatening our future society.
New learning opportunities
Transforming the system of learning and foster quality education for all.
Youth become experts
Promoting new leadership models understanding youth as experts.
Enabling equal opportunities
Enabling equal opportunities by re-writing narratives about marginalised youth and redefining key indicators for success.

Impact

Young people are able to unfold their potential and co-create social transformation in their surroundings to promote equal future perspectives for all.
Short Term: Supportive learning environment developed
The project enables positive learning environment for young people to develop and enfold potential.
Mid Term: Young people feel belonging and purpose
Young people find belonging through active co-creation of living surrounding and develop personally and in social interaction.
Long Term: Society's perception of youth is positive
Equal opportunities and changed perspectives for youth and society to live a happy life.
Challenge
Not all children and adolescents in Germany have equal opportunities to develop, realise their potential, and to live a happy life. This can result in:
Unhealthy behaviour
Frustration, resignation, lack of self-esteem and self-confidence among youth, leading to destructive coping strategies.
Undeveloped potential
Loss of talents and potentials needed in all sectors.
Social Exclusion
Threat of our societal cohesion (locally and globally).
Solution
Work against mechanisms and dynamics that lead to unequal opportunities threatening our future society.
New learning opportunities
Transforming the system of learning and foster quality education for all.
Youth become experts
Promoting new leadership models understanding youth as experts.
Enabling equal opportunities
Enabling equal opportunities by re-writing narratives about marginalised youth and redefining key indicators for success.
Impact
Young people are able to unfold their potential and co-create social transformation in their surroundings to promote equal future perspectives for all.
Short Term: Supportive learning environment developed
The project enables positive learning environment for young people to develop and enfold potential.
Mid Term: Young people feel belonging and purpose
Young people find belonging through active co-creation of living surrounding and develop personally and in social interaction.
Long Term: Society's perception of youth is positive
Equal opportunities and changed perspectives for youth and society to live a happy life.

Impact in the Field

Common Ground kicked off in Germany in June 2020 with a budget of €236,378 for the first one-year long cycle. This first cycle includes the implementation of the initial 6 Common Grounds in the Bundesliga cities of Munich, Gelsenkirchen, Leipzig, Mönchengladbach, Hanover and Wolfsburg.

6
locations
18
schools
44
workshops
168
educators trained
+550k
invested

Common Goal has allocated a total sum of €553,995.00 since the launch of Common Ground in June 2020.

Improved learning environments

92%

of Youth Leaders feel that Common Ground changes the way teachers see them.

94%

of educators created and designed holistic learning environments for youth.

Youth become changemakers

93%

of Youth Leaders are confident they can overcome challenges in their lives as a result of Common Ground.

97%

of Youth Leaders see the opportunity to shape social developments at and with Common Ground.

The Common Ground effect

100%

of educational professionals involved in project agree that the pitch increases pupils’ motivation.

97%

of Youth Leaders confirm that the Common Ground pitch makes them more visible in their engagement.

Improved learning environments
92%

of Youth Leaders feel that Common Ground changes the way teachers see them.

94%

of educators created and designed holistic learning environments for youth.

Youth become changemakers
93%

of Youth Leaders are confident they can overcome challenges in their lives as a result of Common Ground.

97%

of Youth Leaders see the opportunity to shape social developments at and with Common Ground.

The Common Ground effect
100%

of educational professionals involved in project agree that the pitch increases pupils’ motivation.

97%

of Youth Leaders confirm that the Common Ground pitch makes them more visible in their engagement.

1.5k
participants reached

At Common Grounds in Bundesliga cities across Germany, where they take part in street football sessions and activities promoting social values and active citizenship.

"A Common Ground is more than a physical space, it is a whole educational concept where young people can create their own opportunities."
Aydel Haji, Young leader, KICKFAIR
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