AwA* (pronounced: AwA Star)
A collective of women, trans, queer, and inter* people who oversee events, implement educational work, write concepts, and advise spaces, groups, and institutions.
Awareness work and the associated content are close to our hearts. We advocate for emancipatory safety and everything that comes with it. Collective work means to us working on projects together with minimal hierarchy.
Mindful and respectful interaction is important not only in our work with clients but also a value we implement and live within our team.
We are:
Regularly in further education/training
Within our activities, we conduct regular team training sessions. For example, on gender diversity and awareness, managing drug use, and first aid – first responder training.
Well connected
As an awareness collective, we are connected in various ways with other groups and contexts. In the context of our work, we collaborate with associations and structures in youth work, feminist groups, space collectives, event organizers, interest groups, and many others. This includes, among others: IG Club Kultur, 4lthangrund für Alle, Awareness Institut, Checkit, Zara
Community-oriented
Educational materials, knowledge, workshops, and skills are continuously provided for activists and community-based structures. Awareness stems from feminist, queer, and intersectional grassroots work. It is important for us to share these resources in an accessible way with these structures.
AwA* across media
Our Prinicples, Goals and Values
References
Selected Coverage and Media Contributions about AwA* – Get insight into our work!
In Print and Online in Augustin – “Bewusst Konfliktfrei”:
https://augustin.or.at/bewusst-konfliktfrei
In Print and Online in Unterpalmen 12 – Page 18 – 20
https://unterpalmen.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Up_12_Web.pdf
In Print and Online – 31.08.2022 – in Standard – “Party ohne Polizei: Zu Besuch bei Wiens Awareness-Teams”
https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000138653674/party-ohne-polizei-zu-besuch-bei-wiens-awareness-teams
On the Radio – 10.06.2022: https://cba.fro.at/562122
at Club Resonanzen, the radio show of IG Club Kultur, from minute 28:00
On the Radio – 20.06.2021: https://cba.fro.at/506376
At O-Sounds on the panel about queer-feminist lived club culture
On the TV – 28.04.2021 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2poF0i_Eqs
At United we Talk, a city-wide television format (Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Vienna)
As part of our work, there are fundamental values and expectations that we implement. Central concepts include partiality, power of definition, and intersectional approaches.
For us, awareness means mindfulness and consciousness in how we interact with each other. It involves preventing discrimination, abuse, and (sexualized) violence. This includes an awareness of societal power dynamics and our own position within them.
Where does Awareness come from?
Discrimination and violence are not isolated incidents but occur within a structural, societal context. Awareness is an approach that emerged in 2007 from the feminist and queer movements. The debates and practices of the second wave of the women’s movement in the 1970s were an important starting point. Furthermore, the approaches and practices of the Transformative Justice and Community Accountability movements from the USA have influenced awareness work in the German-speaking world.
Violence encompasses many forms across a broad spectrum. In our work, we are committed to opposing violence and creating opportunities and strategies with those affected to act against it. It is important to understand the different levels of violence involved. These manifest differently in individual and interpersonal contexts, as well as in institutional and state forms, and in structural and discriminatory forms. More information can be found in the brochure “Providing Support.” Action strategies for dealing with violence and discrimination (see links below).
At the heart of awareness is the well-being of the person affected by boundary-crossing behavior, discrimination, or aggression. This goes hand in hand with partial support – if the affected person wishes – to ensure they are not left alone with the consequences of discrimination or (sexualized) violence.
The approach is intersectional and takes multiple forms of victimization into account.
How does Awareness work?
Support also involves creating safe spaces so that those affected do not have to withdraw from spaces/structures, but can regain agency and prevent further risks and unwanted encounters.
Awareness work also has a preventive effect and, in some communities, is offered alongside transformative work with discriminatory or violent individuals in the context of Community Accountability. Awareness work provides various approaches and options. It requires reflective experiential knowledge, solid practice, and appropriately trained teams.
In any case, Awareness work is guided by principles such as consensus and the needs of the person seeking support, and it fosters solidarity-driven actions in their interest.
The goal of our work is to make ourselves unnecessary. We strive for a society where mindful, supportive interaction among all people is the norm. A society where people have the tools and space to make decisions and handle conflicts in a mindful and non-violent way.
We are convinced that this path is possible through empowerment and emancipatory work.
Links & further reading
Awareness Institute
We are part of the Awareness Institute – the association for Awareness work in the German-speaking world.
The Awareness Institute is a coalition of Awareness activists from the German-speaking area who develop and offer concepts and training on the topic of Awareness. We make Awareness visible and accessible for organizers, those affected, and interested individuals.
Link: https://awareness-institut.net/
transformativejustice.eu
transformativejustice.eu >>> Who we are – Our group has been working on the topics of sexualized violence, Community Accountability, and Transformative Justice since 2011. We aim to further develop and spread concepts and practices for communities that advance the engagement with sexualized violence and violence in intimate relationships, which is both crucial and necessary. Our goal is to analyze these forms of violence in relation to different power structures and find ways to deal with the complex interconnections.
https://www.transformativejustice.eu/
Book “Antisexistische Awareness” (in german):
https://unrast-verlag.de/produkt/antisexistische-awareness/
Standards for Awareness-work
Together with SupportFX (Leipzig) and as part of the network “Awareness Institute,” we have defined processes and standards for Awareness work. These are compiled in the following brochure:
Respect Guide (D, E, Fr)
The Respect-Guide is a guideline for respectful interaction with one another.
http://www.i-paed-berlin.de/de/Downloads/
Inter and language
The brochure “Inter und Sprache” clarifies terms related to intersex, ensuring a linguistically respectful approach. https://oiigermany.org/inter-und-sprache/
Transnational Transformative Justice Project
http://www.whatreallymakesussafe.com/
Zine: Mapping our madness: a workbook for navigating crisis, extreme states, or just foul moods
Content by Les MIGRAS
https://lesmigras.de/de/informationen-downloads
The brochure “Grenzen setzen – Ein Arbeitsbuch” is about setting personal boundaries in various contexts. Through texts and exercises, you can engage with the topic. Berlin, 2017.
https://lesmigras.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/LesMigraS_Grenzen_Setzen_online.pdf
Brochure “Verbindungen sprechen.” Empowerment in relation to racism and transphobia in LGBTI contexts.
https://lesmigras.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/LM_Broschuere_Tapesh_einzelseiten_korrigiert.pdf
Brochure “Support Giving.” Action strategies for dealing with violence and discrimination.
https://lesmigras.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/LM_Broschuere_Tapesh_UnterstuetzungGeben.pdf
What is multiple discrimination?
Text by Les MIGRAS on multiple discrimination, multiple identities, and anti-discrimination work.
Here is a detailed text in PDF format.: https://lesmigras.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/LesMigraS_Mehrfachdiskriminierung_vertiefend.pdf
In Easy Language: We explain multiple membership and multiple disadvantages: https://lesmigras.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/LesMigraS_Was_ist_Mehrfachdiskrimierung_Leichte_Sprache.pdf
AwA*s references
>>> Eurogames 2024
>>> Tipping-Points (Sollektiv – St.Pölten) 2024
>>> Club der Republik – Wiener Festwochen 2024
>>> Fairstage (Berlin) 2024
>>> Awareness im öffentlichen Raum für die Stadt Wien 2024
>>> Stream Festival (Linz) 2024
>>> Begleitung der Anlaufstellenstruktur für den Berliner Obdachlosenhilfe e.V. (2023 – laufend)
>>> Awareness für das OII Community Event in Paris gemeinsam mit CIA – Collectif Intersexe Activiste (05/2023)
>>> Ausbildung des Awarenessteams für das Pilotprojekt Awarness im öffentlichen Raum in Berlin Mauerpark (05/2023)
>>> Donaufestival 2023 sowie 2024 in Krems- Awarenessteams für die beiden Festivalwochenenden
>>> Awareness im öffentlichen Raum, Einreichung eines Konzeptes für die Ausschreibung durch die Stadt Wien Anfang 2023.
>>> Mit unserem Konzept konnten wir die Jury überzeugen und sind somit mit der Arbeit für den öffentlichen Raum in der Förderschiene für Wienweite Projekte aufgenommen.
>>> Ausarbeiten eines Anlaufstellenkonzeptes und Aufbau einer Awarenesstruktur für das Kulturzentrum 4lthangrund 2022 – laufend
>>> OII Community Event (online Awareness) 10 2022
>>> Aufbau von einer Awarenessstruktur/Gruppe in Graz (laufend) ab 10 2022
>>> Workshop für die LIMA zu Basics für online Awarenessarbeit 10 2022
>>> Basisgruppen Straßenfest – Veranstaltung am Unicampus / altes AKH in Wien 10 2022
>>> Awareness im öffentlichen Raum – Karlsplatz, Donaukanal, Yppenplatz und Ring – 06 bis 09 / 2022 für die Stadt Wien / MA 13
>>> Awarenesskonzept & Begleitung für die “Take Back the Streets” feministische Demonstration am internationalen Frauentag 8. März (2022)
>>> Weiterbildung und Konzeptberatung für die deutschlandweite Seebrücke Awareness Struktur (2021 – laufend)
>>> Erstellen und Umsetzen eines (Online Awareness) Konzeptes für ILGA world beim Intersex day of solidarity (08.11.2021)
>>> Support des Aufbaus einer Awarenessstruktur bei Soundlabs (10 / 2021 – 2022)
>>> zArt & Zuckerl Veranstaltungsreihe FLEX 07 / 08 / 10 2021
>>> OII Community Event (Online Awareness) 09 2021
>>> 4lthangrund Herbstfest 09 2021
>>> Clubnach/t/mittag LAMES / St.Pölten 09 2021
>>> Rhizomatic Circus Veranstaltungsreihe F23 Fabrik 08 2021
>>> Awareness-Teams im öffentlichen Raum / Karlsplatz – Donaukanal – mobiles Team / beauftragt durch die Stadt Wien 06/ 07 – 2021
Referenzveranstaltungen/Projekte, bei denen wir als Awareness (im Rahmen des Kollektiv AwA_wien) tätig waren (2017 – 06/2021)
Aufwind Festival (stationäre Anlaufstation und Awareness Struktur 2017)
Oase (Veranstaltungsreihe u.a. in Fluc, Grelle Forelle – seit 2018)
Signale (Soli-Fest Arena Wien – 2018)
Wiener Kultur Rave (Soli-Fest – 2018)
Grund für: SOS! (Solidarischer Kongress und Fest – 2019)
EuroPride Park & Village (Rathausplatz und Votivpark mobile und stationäre Betreuung – 2019)
PARQUE DEL SOL / LAMES (Interdisziplinäres Festival – 2019)
Geburstagsfest von ZARA, Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit (2019)
Grund für WKR (Soli-Fest – 2019)
Gassen aus Zucker 7 Jahre Geburtstag (2020)
SeaWatch Solifest, kultur for president (2020)
Awareness 101 – online / Workshops im Frühling/ Sommer 2020 im Rahmen der Veranstaltungsreihe „Sicherheit und Polizeigewalt“
antisexistische Baustelle / Workshop im Sommer 2020 im Rahmen der Wandergesellen Sommerbaustelle in Leonding
degrowth Konferenz – Konzeptberatung für die online Awareness Struktur (2020)
CIVA Festival – online Awareness Konzept (2021)
AwA_stern in public space
As AwA*, we were commissioned by the City of Vienna (MA13) to implement awareness teams in public spaces from early June to the end of July 2021.
Rhizomatic Circus 2021
With our knowledge and skills, we will support the ꒯ᗑ꒚ ꒒ﾼￓẔￓﾼ ꒚ℙﾼｋￓᗑｋﾼ꒒ of the Rhizomatic Circus Collective at the F23 Factory in Vienna from August 11th to 21st.
Autumn festival by old WU
Solidarity festival for the preservation of structures – free access for initiatives & groups, collective infrastructure, and community space.
Current Projects
Was wir sonst noch so machen
Event support
As an awareness team, we support events indoors and outdoors, festivals, and conferences – we can assist with teams on-site as well as in the preparation and follow-up of any kind of gathering of many people.
Educational work
We are happy to share our knowledge about awareness work. We can be requested for training in the form of workshops. We are also happy to create tailored offerings based on specific needs and questions. Some examples of workshops and the areas our educational offerings cover can be found under -> Workshops.
Concepts and Consultation
Different needs require different solutions. We develop concepts and provide consultation on various topics. For example: awareness concepts for spaces, conflict structures for groups, conflicts in public spaces.
Building Awareness Structures
In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness and understanding that awareness structures are necessary. As AwA*, we can support groups, collectives, organizations, and communities in establishing their own awareness structures.
Networking and Standards of Awareness Work in Austria
What can Awareness do? Who does Awareness? Awareness doesn’t just happen “on its own.”
With the support of the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs (BMSGPK), we have been intensifying collaboration between organizations in Austria that engage in awareness work since 2024. We are developing shared standards for our field of work based on solidarity.