Since its founding in 2008, Plattform e.V. has been dedicated to promoting lifelong learning and addressing critical societal challenges. Based in Erfurt, Germany, this nonprofit organization operates as a think tank, tackling pressing issues through innovative projects. By sharing its findings via publications, presentations, conferences, non-formal training programs, and university lectures, Plattform e.V. contributes to shaping a more inclusive and sustainable society.
Over the years, Plattform e.V. has received significant recognition, including the Erfurt Citizens’ Award in 2013 and the Projekt Nachhaltigkeit (Project Sustainability) Award, which it has held consecutively since 2018. These honors reflect the organization’s unwavering commitment to impactful work and its ability to adapt to evolving societal needs.
From the outset, Plattform e.V. has based its work on a project-driven approach. Its team of 12 employees, supported by numerous freelancers and volunteers, focuses on creating and implementing model projects that inspire others and lead to sustainable results. The organization operates across multiple specialized fields, with a particular focus on employability and entrepreneurship.
Supporting Employability and Social Entrepreneurship
One of Plattform e.V.’s earliest successes was its initiative aimed at integrating unemployed youth under the age of 25 with completed vocational training or university education. Between 2008 and 2012, this project demonstrated how youth employment services could better support young adults lacking professional experience.
Building on this success, Plattform e.V. launched Werft34, a project running from 2013 to 2017 that explored the conditions needed for fostering and sustaining social entrepreneurship in the sociocultural sector. The outcomes included not only successful entrepreneurial initiatives in Erfurt but also the formation of resilient networks of sociocultural actors, which now serve as a collective voice advocating for their interests.
Plattform e.V. has extended its expertise beyond Erfurt, sharing its innovative models on a national and international level. One of its flagship initiatives, the Kulturhanse program, works with local partners in eastern Germany to create entrepreneurship labs in areas outside major cities. Through the European Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE program, Plattform was collaborating on the TASKFORCOME project, which developed prototype entrepreneurship labs specifically for migrants and refugees.
Werkhaus Inklusion: A Pathway to New Opportunities
The commitment to inclusivity is at the heart of Plattform e.V.’s mission. Our inclusive startup lab Werkhaus Inklusion provides a community-oriented entrepreneurship space for young adults aged 18 to 30, encouraging them to transform their ideas into tangible ventures. This startup lab takes a fresh approach to entrepreneurship. Unlike traditional programs that prioritize business plans, this initiative focuses on experimentation and practical development. Within its coworking space and collaborative environment, aspiring entrepreneurs can test their solutions, products, or services in real-world conditions. This hands-on methodology allows participants to refine their ideas through feedback and collaboration.
The motto, “Try it out instead of writing a business plan,” encapsulates the program’s spirit. By lowering the barriers to entry and offering a safe space for experimentation, the Werkhaus Inklusion helps young entrepreneurs build confidence and develop scalable ideas. Once these ideas prove successful on a small scale, participants are equipped to expand their ventures with greater momentum and clarity.
Our engagement in Interreg CE TASKFORISI
As part of the Pilot Program under the Interreg CE TASKFORISI, Plattform e.V. is dedicated to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia in eastern Germany. Migrants—particularly women and individuals with disabilities—face significant challenges to achieving economic independence and integrating into society. These challenges include language barriers, limited support structures, and the growing influence of political right-wing movements.
Our needs-driven approach aims to dismantle these obstacles by bridging the gap between the aspirations of emerging entrepreneurs and entrenched formalities and biases. By fostering inclusivity and innovation, we strive to create pathways for sustainable entrepreneurship and social connection, ensuring no one is left behind.
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