The Neighborhood Management area "Mariannenplatz" is situated in the district "Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg", in the former "SO 36" area. The close underground and several bus lines provide a good connection to the public transport system. By its less exposed location this part of Kreuzberg can be qualified as a comparatively calm neighborhood.
The ample area "Bethaniengelände" together with the "Mariannenplatz" and the adjacent "Feuerwehrbrunnenplatz" offer attractive public space and help to maintain a positive attitude towards life.
With 300 residents per hectare this area has a high population density. The residential area exhibits old buildings as well as social housing buildings from the 1970's. It is characterized by small retailers and service companies and also some restaurants.
The "Mariannenplatz" neighborhood is well known beyond the area for its many cultural activities and projects. The residents strongly identify with their neighborhood. In the 1960, many Turkish guest workers and their families settled here. The majority of residents are families with a migrant background. However, increasing unemployment and high fluctuation led to social problems in the "Kiez". The proportion of young population is above average.
The youth often lack perspective, so drug dealing, violence and crime are present in the neighborhood. Furthermore, dissolving family structures, language barriers and a lack of educational opportunities affect their career and social development.
Approximately 39% of the residents receive state aid. For these reasons, the neighborhood was designated as a Neighborhood Management area in 2005. Since funding started around Euro 9,500,000 from project funds were granted.
Selection of projects carried out to date
The project "ArbeitslotsInnen" (work guides) offers a low-threshold service aimed to integrate youth and young adults into the labor market. A total of four persons are deployed to contact youth in the street, in youth centers and at school. They are at eye level with the youth and have the social competence needed to build up mutual trust. Moreover they are familiar with the "Kiez" and the youths' specific problems and speak German as well as Turkish.
The project staff is prepared by special trainings before getting involved in project activities. The youth are then referred to existing counseling services with the objective to procure an apprenticeship or employment for them. The young people will be constantly accompanied in their job search, whereby their respective interests and experiences are taken into account, and existing abilities and skills are extended and deepened.
The pupils in classes 4-6 at the Heinrich-Zille-Primary School, the E.-O.-Plauen-Primary School and the Nürtingen-Primary School get tutoring as a learning support. The lessons take place in the afternoon at two school locations. Those who have learning deficits can use the support to compensate deficits and to improve in problematic subjects. Others who strive for higher learning qualifications (Junior High school / Senior High school) are supported individually. Especially for the demanding transition from primary to middle school, the children are given guidance.
Two larger "Kiez" events are organized in the neighborhood; a summer and a winter festival. The programs of the events are created, offered and implemented in context with the residents. They communicate and inform each other and take joint action. Here, people have the opportunity to present themselves. Food stands reflect the culinary and cultural diversity of the "Kiez". Young people show their talent on a stage in a mix of musical, artistic, traditional and informal performances, complemented by multicultural performances. A facilitator from the "Kiez" leads through the program in German and Turkish. In addition, sports activities, art events and musical workshops for children and youth are offered. Initiatives, clubs and short-term projects can present themselves.
Seniors residents in the "Kiez", in particular those who live in isolation, are to be supported in making contacts and exploring new fields of activity through sport and exercise.
In co-operation with the German workers' association meeting center ("
AWO-Begegnungszentrum"), the program includes different topics such as health promotion, Berlin and neighborhood city tours, as well as biography work. Free of charge visits of various museums and places of interest in Berlin and exploratory tours in the own "Kiez", as well as "interreligious walks" are planned. Through activities in areas such as exercise (walking, swimming or aqua gymnastics, qi gong), diet (dietary advice and joint cooking) and lectures on health related topics, awareness shall be raised on the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle. The project offers health focused sport for the residents as a preventive and also supporting and strengthening impact on health. Activities are planned beforehand involving all parties concerned.
