Bildung. Macht. Demokratie.
Strengthening democracy – what can be done?
Start by reflecting on your own mindset as a leader.
The training programme “Bildung. Macht. Demokratie. - demokratiegleitet führen" (Education. Power. Democracy. – Leading with a focus on democracy”) equips managers in nurseries, schools, all-day care, youth services and ASD with the right tools.
Democracy is something we can experience in everyday life. It thrives wherever people act together – in teams and organisations as well as in school classes and nursery groups. In educational and childcare settings in particular, values such as participation, fairness, respect, listening and diversity shape daily interactions. Every decision, every meeting and every interaction with children, young people, parents and other stakeholders offers an opportunity to bring democratic values to life and strengthen them.
As a leader, you already play a key role in this: you create opportunities, make decisions and take responsibility for people and processes. You build bridges between different perspectives – between children and adults, between staff, external partners and your organisation as a whole.
The training programme “Bildung. Macht. Demokratie. - demokratiegleitet führen" supports you in reflecting on your leadership role as a space for democratic experiences and in shaping it even more actively. Over the course of a school year, you will work with other leaders to develop a leadership approach that actively promotes democracy within your organisation.
The Alfred Toepfer Foundation (F.V.S.) and the Dürr Foundation aim to inspire a model of leadership that constructively embraces differences and enables democracy-driven action, even when interests conflict.
What to expect:
In a group of 18 participants, you will explore how democracy can become a practical management principle and a vibrant part of your organisational culture. How can decisions be made transparently and accountably? How can tensions be addressed constructively? How can participation be embedded structurally?
Within a professional space for learning and reflection, you will develop and strengthen:
• a cross-sectoral network
• your democratic self-conception as a leader
• confidence in dealing with diversity and inclusion
• composure in complex or conflicting situations
• clarity about your leadership responsibilities
You will be supported by experienced trainers from academia, education, and the cultural sector. The programme is based on a model of democracy-driven leadership developed by Tilman Eckloff and Susanne Ulrich at the Centre for Applied Policy Research (C·A·P, Munich), which will be applied to your organisation in a practical way.
Three special features of the program:
1. Attitude and competence in interplay
Democracy education begins with one’s inner attitude and unfolds its impact through concrete action. You benefit in two ways: through your personal development and by expanding your professional leadership skills.
2. Cross-professional exchange
Daycare, school, all-day programs, youth services, general social services – different contexts, similar challenges. Exchanging ideas with participants from diverse professional backgrounds broadens your perspective.
3. The group as a space for development
You meet other leaders as equals, share your experiences, and collaboratively develop sustainable, effective solutions. In addition, experts contribute further specialized knowledge.
- Ausschreibungsflyer 2026
- Who is it for?
The program is aimed at leaders from educational and childcare institutions in Hamburg with at least three years of management experience and responsibility for staff and decision-making:
Heads of daycare centers of Elbkinder
Principals of public schools in Hamburg
Leaders of all-day, child, and youth welfare institutions (SOAL members)
ASD department heads of the Hamburg districts
Participants are expected to have a clear commitment to democratic development and to attend both academy weeks as well as the other program components.
Participation in the program is free of charge and corresponds to a scholarship valued at approximately €8,000. Successful completion is recognized with a certificate.
- Framework and Schedule
Duration: One school year with continuous support
Kick-off: September 3, 2026, 5–8 PM
Two academy weeks at the Gut Siggen seminar center in Ostholstein (accommodation and full board included):
September 30 – October 4, 2026
April 28 – May 1, 2027
Peer-to-peer mentoring in collegial groups
Two individual coaching sessions
Three 90-minute online modules
- Application
If this qualification program has sparked your interest, we look forward to receiving your application. Please submit your complete application documents by May 4, 2026.
For your application, we require:
a. Completed application form
Including information:About yourself and your organization
Regarding your placement within professional groups
About your motivation
b. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Preferably including contextual or narrative elements (please use the template provided).
Length: maximum 4 pagesCV Template
c. Short video (max. 4 minutes)
Record a brief video using your smartphone addressing the following questions:What does democracy mean to you?
Where do you currently see the biggest conflict areas in your work?
What motivated you to apply for this program?
Who has particularly influenced your path, and what significance did this person have for you?
Honestly: How will you know that your participation in this program has truly been worthwhile?
The video does not need to be professionally produced. An authentic, simple smartphone recording is completely sufficient.
We look forward to your application!
- FAQ
What does democracy-driven leadership mean?
Democracy-driven leadership means orienting everyday leadership decisions toward whether they contribute to realizing more freedom and equality for everyone. The democratic principle that every person has an equal right to free development thus becomes a guiding standard in daily leadership practice.Is the program recognized as educational leave?
The academy weeks within the qualification program are recognized as continuing education events for educational leave / paid educational leave.How large is the group?
The group consists of 18 participants and is ideally composed to ensure balanced representation across professional groups (daycare, school, full-day programs, youth welfare, ASD).What does participation in the program cost?
Participation in all program components is free of charge. This also includes accommodation and meals during the academy weeks at Gut Siggen. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs.Participation in the program corresponds to a scholarship worth approximately €8,000.
FAQ and information session on April 22, 2026, at 4 PM
We offer an online session for interested participants to ask questions about the program and the application process. Please register at rummel@toepfer-stiftung.de. Access details for the online session will be sent by email.
Kontakt
