Narrative Group Work® Southern Brandenburg

We have successfully implemented our 'Narrative Group Work in Schools and Their Communities' programme across various German states for many years and have secured various project grants, some of which were short-term. Now, for the first time, we have the opportunity to establish a local team in the South Brandenburg region, starting in March 2026, with the support of the Brandenburg Ministry of Education. This team will be responsible for independently implementing the narrative dialogue groups at local schools.

The establishment of a local team and a local professional network is an important step towards transferring and institutionalising this new, intensive pedagogical approach. Only in this way can an approach such as the Narrative Group Work grow organically into the local institutional structures of education and schools.

Local integration of Narrative Group Work

In this context, the primary aim is to strengthen the relationship between each school and its municipality, as well as with the local community. This is because the non-school-based practitioners who lead and supervise the confidential group dialogues in the schools come from here. The municipality also provides valuable contacts and resources, such as youth and family services or psychosocial services, which can provide effective support in individual cases. A local association or university — e.g. a department of social work, education or a similar institution — can establish additional local ties.

Cultures Interactive is responsible for building and coordinating this community network and local team. At the same time, participating practitioners receive further training, professional guidance and continuous support in their work to enable the development of a sustainable, long-term initiative.

Strengthening communication skills, addressing conflicts

The narrative dialogues groups, which take place during regular school hours, promote one of the most important personal skills: the ability to have dialogues with one another. After all, in a vibrant and sustainable democracy, it is essential that people from different backgrounds engage in dialogue about personal concerns as well as societal issues.

This is challenging, but worthwhile! Dialogues engage people, foster understanding and support social cohesion. Schools have significant untapped potential for educating people in democracy, conflict resolution and dialogue. However, schools are often severely overburdened and require additional support, including from the local community. Initially, this may primarily involve parents, friends and supporters of the school, as well as committed citizens from the local community. After all, as the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child — and, in the process, we continue to educate and develop ourselves a little further, too. The stability of our region as a business and living hub — and the peaceful nature of our interactions with one another — will benefit from this.

Read more about the approach of Narrative Group Work in schools and their communities.