Leaving no one behind: Creating opportunities together
180 Grad Wende e. V. is committed to equal opportunities for young people from marginalised communities. Founded in Cologne in 2012, we are active in over 72 locations with projects on orientation, democracy, prevention and empowerment. In Cologne, NRW, throughout Germany and internationally.
Recognised and awarded many times over, we offer a wide range of services and individual counselling to give young people new perspectives. Our mission is to transform untapped potential into powerful impetus for positive change.
12
Years of Experience
72
Places of action
180
Degree turn
600+
Multipliers trained
2000+
People in the network
100.000+
People reached
0
Tolerance of hate
Diversity in action: our expertise
Workshops, presentations, multilingual counselling and seminars: Our team members bring a wide range of expertise to the table. This is the only way we can respond to individual concerns in a needs-orientated manner.
Workshops and training programmes
Support of Volunteers
Multilingual counselling services
Keynote speeches
Our approach is as diverse as the people we reach – because different target groups require customised solutions. This is precisely why we develop various projects that are tailored to people’s different needs.
Creating save(r) spaces: Project Wendepunkt
The ‘Wendepunkt’ (= Turning point) in Cologne-Kalk is much more than just a place – it is a lively space full of opportunities for young people. Here they not only find a safe haven, but also a place where they feel welcome and heard.Â
Wendepunkt regularly offers empowerment and prevention workshops as well as guidance and counselling. The wide range of programmes helps teenagers and young adults to overcome their challenges and develop new, positive perspectives for the future. Here, everyone is supported in realising their own potential and looking to the future with strength.
Our project work:
In Cologne, NRW. Germany and worldwide.
180 Grad Wende Stories
Krefeld, NRW
Taibe has always been creative and full of ideas. She wanted to create a place where young people could come together and be creative.
Thanks to 180 Grad Wende and the ‘Keepers’ programme, she received exactly the support she needed to bring the ‘Kopflüften’ project to life. Thanks to the continuous support from 180 Grad Wende, ‘Kopflüften’ is now a firmly established programme in Krefeld. It’s all about empowering each other, being creative and experiencing a strong community.
Taibe, Krefeld
 Founder of Kopflüften
Köln, NRW
Kerim, Köln
Participant of the Plus Course (now: Azubi Buddy)
Kerim from Cologne-Kalk had no clear direction after leaving school. He found it difficult to write job applications and lacked motivation on his own. A friend introduced him to the ‘180 degree turnaround’ and the Plus course. There he not only found support in writing applications, but also a community that welcomed and motivated him.
Today, Kerim has completed his training, is working as a chemical technician and is looking positively to the future – thanks to the guidance he found on the Plus Course.
Berlin
Amina is a talented young woman from Berlin who has always loved writing. Her big dream was to run her own writing workshop one day, but she didn’t dare to take this step alone. 180 Grad Wende recognised her potential and encouraged her to turn her idea into reality. With their support, Amina was not only able to plan her first workshop, but also successfully advertise it.
Since then, her writing workshops have been held regularly, enabling other young people to develop and share their creative ideas in a safe environment.
Amina*
Volunteer supported by us
*Name changed
Nakawa, Uganda
Muswab
Participant of Project CHANCE
Muswab is a determined young man who has not had it easy. He lives with his single mother and seven siblings in Nakawa, Uganda. His mother works hard to support the family. Despite this, Muswab had to drop out of school after the fourth grade for financial reasons. But Muswab remained hopeful and always looked for ways to ease his mother’s burden. He also never gave up on his dreams.
Thanks to the 180 Grad Wende project CHANCE, Muswab, together with other young people, is able to receive an education. He is supported and accompanied by 180 Grad Wende’s local project partners. An opportunity that will not only change his life, but also the lives of his family.
Awards
Funding partners
