In an era marked by a global shift to the right, segregated filter bubbles, and multiple crises, many are asking: How can we reach people in their everyday lives beyond ideological rhetoric? How can those who are marginalized advocate for their own interests—and succeed? Transformative Community Organizing (TCO) offers concrete, step-by-step approaches to addressing these big questions.
The course provides insights into the mindset, strategies, and methods of transformative organizing. To this end, participants work in small groups on practical exercises addressing current challenges faced by the organizing initiatives in which they are already involved—or other issues from their own daily lives, such as high rents, racist (immigration) policies, sexist working conditions…
Modules
- Approaches and Theory of Transformative (Community) Organizing
- Conducting Organizing Conversations
- Identifying Shared Concerns
- Mapping Power, Understanding Leverage, Developing a “Plan to Win”
- Growing in Number and Diversity
- Developing Next Steps
This course is for you if...
- want to put the TCO’s approach, strategies, and methods into practice in a concrete way, based on a specific issue
- are open to developing political strategies based on your own experiences
- are already active in an organizing group or organization, or are in the process of starting one. Ideally, bring along a fellow activist from that context—the two of you will be best able to put what you’ve learned into practice together.
Speakers
Course Instructor
Tashy Endres (she/her)
Center for Transformative Organizing
Tashy Endres is an organizer, strategy consultant, and lecturer. She is a co-founder of the Center for Transformative Organizing (ZenTrO), the Berlin Kiezprojekt, and the AG Starthilfe of Deutsche Wohnen & Co Enteignen. For over 20 years, she has been learning, teaching, and practicing organizing, including in the landless movement in Buenos Aires, Occupy Wall Street in New York, and Kotti&Co in Berlin.
Guest Speaker
Payal Parekh (she/her)
Payal develops strategies to mobilize new audiences for social and environmental change and to counter the rise of the far right. She regularly advises and trains movements, NGOs, and grassroots groups around the world on developing innovative campaigns to bring about shifts in power through a variety of tactics. Payal regularly writes opinion pieces, speaks to the media about the global climate movement, collaborates with artists, and designs interactive workshops based on the pedagogy of Paolo Freire.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do all courses last a week?
Yes, all courses at the Impuls Academy take place at the same time and last one week. They are part of a supporting program that complements the courses and facilitates reflection, deeper understanding, and networking. It is therefore essential to be present on site for the entire week.
Who is the Impuls Academy intended for?
Our program is designed primarily for people who are active in grassroots groups or who work in associations and nonprofit organizations. We also cater to individuals from labor unions, academic settings, and other institutions who are socially and politically engaged.
How much experience should I already have?
The Impuls Academy does not generally require a specific level of experience. However, it is primarily intended for participants who have been politically active for some time. Above all, it is important that participants have a desire to apply what they learn in practical ways afterward. Most of those who participate in the Impuls Academy have been active for several years.
When and how often does the Impuls Academy take place?
The Impuls Academy has been held since 2024, typically once a year in the spring. In addition, the organizations Humus and radius—which jointly organize the Impuls Academy—offer other continuing education programs, such as the “Tipping Points” workshop weekends. There are also occasional shorter-format events associated with the Impuls Academy.
How much does the Impuls Academy cost?
Who organizes the Impuls Academy?
The Impuls Academy is organized as part of a collaboration between the organizations Humus and radius. These organizations bring diverse experiences in the civil society sector to the table and complement each other well. The team shares a deep passion for progressive political work and extensive experience in social movements.