New Workshops in Spring 2025
The political climate is becoming more hostile – we stand against it!
And we want you with us!
In our workshops, you will learn the fundamentals of awareness work to become more confident, supportive, and proactive in handling challenging situations.
What will you learn?
- Supporting others in crisis situations with competence
- Early recognition of when and how to intervene
- Strategies for de-escalation and nonviolent intervention
- Identifying and countering discrimination
- Reflection on power structures and privilege
- Supporting collective protection concepts
Whether for demonstrations, parties and festivals, or everyday life and personal environments – awareness work empowers you and those around you.
Join us, connect with others, and take action!
Sign up now and become part of a movement of solidarity.
We prepared these workshops for you
Funded by the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs – Sozialministerium Österreich (BMSGPK)
Awareness Workshops – Dates & Topics
Awareness Basics 1
March 2nd, 2PM – 8PM
Awareness for Event Organizers
March 5th, 12PM – 5PM
Awareness Basics 2
March 29th, 2PM – 7PM
Awareness in Everyday Life
May 18th, 1PM – 6PM
Awareness Basics in english – Online
April 2nd, 4PM – 7PM
Sign up here!
Descriptions in the tabs
Awareness Basics
Basics 1: March 2nd, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Basics 2: March 29th, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
In the first part of the workshop (6h), the focus is on understanding awareness and specifically awareness work, its background and principles, as well as raising awareness about various forms of boundary violations, violence, and discrimination. Participants are trained to support people with different needs in a survivor-centered manner and in accordance with the principles of awareness.
Additionally, introductory practical knowledge and essential know-how are provided on what it means to be part of an awareness structure at events and the minimum standards that must be met. Participants also engage in an initial discussion about role understanding, boundaries, and the possibilities of awareness work, preparing them for their first shifts in an awareness team.
The trial shift (3h) involves attending an event as part of an awareness team, allowing participants to gain practical experience.
In the second part of the basic workshop (5h), the focus is on in-depth aspects and advanced practical training for awareness shifts. The distinction from other forms of support is clarified, with greater emphasis on communication skills, teamwork, self-reflection, and the limits of an awareness person’s agency. A scenario training provides an opportunity to practice together, exchange experiences about different situations and settings, and gain insights into the challenges, possibilities, and limitations of the theoretical foundations of awareness work.
Participation in the training qualifies individuals to work in awareness teams and provides a solid introduction to the role. However, further attention should be paid to ensuring that the majority of the team has more experience, meaning that teams should not consist solely of individuals who have just completed basic training.
Gefördert vom Sozialministerium Österreich (BMSGPK)
Awareness in Everyday Life
May 18th, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The goal of this workshop is to provide an introduction and basic knowledge about awareness work. In the “Awareness Basics for Everyday Life” workshop, all interested participants will be brought to the same level of understanding, and together we will explore where and how these fundamentals can be applied in daily life. The workshop offers a first small entry point into the field of awareness and provides insights into the terms and theoretical concepts related to the topic of awareness.
During the workshop, common terminology will be clarified and explained. Concepts such as the power of definition, partisanship, support work, as well as terms like ‘perpetrator’ and ‘survivor,’ and the meaning of triggers, will be discussed. The workshop focuses on critical reflection on sexist behavior, discrimination, the power of language, restrictions on people’s freedom, and solidarity in celebration.
We will address questions like how we can effectively support others during incidents of harm that we witness, without being experts. We will also look at what we can do ourselves if we are affected by discrimination or violence. Through awareness work, we aim to create a framework in which these limiting behaviors can be actively countered, fostering a collective, mindful space.
Together, we will explore what this means in practice—within our friend groups, at parties, in community and association life, etc. The workshop will also cover the practical organization of support and assistance work. No prior knowledge of the subject is required for this workshop.
Gefördert vom Sozialministerium Österreich (BMSGPK)
Awareness for Event Organizers
05. März, 12:00 Uhr – 17:00 Uhr
The workshop provides basic knowledge about awareness work. We will look at the underlying principles such as consensus, power of definition, and partisanship to understand what makes awareness offerings and how they can be experienced as effective and competent support. We will explore the types of violence and discrimination that occur in event contexts and then present how an awareness team and related concepts can function and have an impact within an event. We will also discuss the steps that need to be clarified with awareness teams in advance and what simple measures can be taken to make events and spaces more open and safer for everyone.
Building on this foundational workshop (Part 1), there is the opportunity for individual agreements for a follow-up workshop (Part 2) or specific consultation and/or support to address and implement the concrete needs of an event or space.
Gefördert vom Sozialministerium Österreich (BMSGPK)
and the Cultural Funding Office of the City of Vienna
Awareness Basics in english – online
April 2nd, 4PM – 7PM