The project
What the project is about
The Kiezsportbus brings sports and exercise straight into the Soldiner Kiez (Berlin-Mitte). In the warmer months we are at the calisthenics park Soldiner Straße / corner of Koloniestraße once a week at a fixed time – with sports and play equipment and an open, free program for children and young people.
On site there is a colorful program of soccer, boxing, fitness and other sports – low-threshold, no registration, just join in. What matters to us is not only exercise but also participation: children and young people can help shape the activities and contribute their ideas.
The project is funded by the project fund of QM Soldiner Straße (program “Sozialer Zusammenhalt” – Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Berlin) and run together with partners such as casablanca gGmbH and Champions ohne Grenzen e.V.. We see sports as a tool for participation, prevention and empowerment – inspired also by our international cooperation, including in Marseille.
Background
Why the Kiezsportbus
Not all children and young people find their way into a club on their own – whether because of costs, lack of support, uncertainty or simply because sports activities are too far away. That’s exactly where the Kiezsportbus comes in: we bring exercise to where everyday life happens – out of the sports hall and into the neighborhood.
At the same time, sports are more than training for us. It creates encounters, builds self-confidence and opens up participation. On site, children and young people can have a say in what happens, try out new sports and use public space together. Empowerment is particularly important to us – also for girls and young people who are otherwise reached less often.
The Kiezsportbus combines outreach sport-based social work with an open multi-sport approach and is inspired by international learnings from Marseille. The result is an activity that is low-threshold, fun – and strengthens participation in the neighborhood in the long term.
In practice
What we actually do
- Sports right in the neighborhoodWe bring sports and play equipment to the Soldiner Kiez at fixed times and create an open exercise program in public space.
- Open multi-sport programSoccer, boxing, fitness and other forms of exercise can be tried out without registration – low-threshold and free of charge.
- Outreach sport-based social workOur team approaches children and young people directly on site, builds trust and creates a safe space for encounter and participation.
- Participation & co-creationParticipants can have a say in the content, contribute new ideas and actively shape the program.
Impact
What comes out of it
- Low-threshold access to exercise
- More life in public space
- Building self-confidence & participation
- Bridges into the club and other projects
Impressions
Impressions from our sessions
The Kiezsportbus thrives on direct encounters in public space: playing together, training, conversations and many spontaneous moments in the Soldiner Kiez. Week by week, an open meeting place emerges where children and young people try out sports, meet new people and actively shape the neighborhood together.
The activities keep evolving – shaped by the ideas of the participants and the experience of our team on site.
Sometimes a soccer tournament starts spontaneously, sometimes we box together or simply spend time together – that’s exactly what the Kiezsportbus is about.
Network
Partners & network
The Kiezsportbus is run in close cooperation with local partners from youth, social and sports work. Together we aim to create low-threshold exercise activities in the neighborhood and reach children and young people directly where they live.
The project is funded as a project-fund measure of the neighborhood management Soldiner Straße in the program “Sozialer Zusammenhalt – Zusammenleben im Quartier gemeinsam gestalten” by the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Berlin.
Our partners include casablanca gGmbH, Champions ohne Grenzen e.V. and other actors from the Soldiner Kiez who support and develop the project together with us.
The Kiezsportbus takes place regularly at the calisthenics park Soldiner Straße – corner of Koloniestraße and has become a fixed part of public life in the neighborhood.
Support the project & become a partner
The Kiezsportbus is currently funded by the neighborhood management Soldiner Straße. So that it can continue in the neighborhood in the long term, we are looking for additional partners and supporters who would like to help continue the project when the funding runs out.
Whether local businesses, foundations or committed individuals – every bit of support helps to make exercise and participation in the neighborhood possible for good.
Interested in a partnership or sponsorship?
Get involved & contact
Every week, the Kiezsportbus is made possible by people who contribute time, energy and ideas.
The Kiezsportbus thrives on the commitment of many people. Week by week, it comes about through everyone pitching in, trust in the neighborhood and the joy of making exercise and encounters possible together.
Volunteer with us
We are looking for people who would like to actively support the project – for example running the activities, in contact with the children and young people or with organizational tasks around the Kiezsportbus. Sports experience is helpful but not essential – openness, reliability and enjoying working with young people matter more.
Would you like to join the team?
Read on
Discover more projects
- School & ClubGetting young people excited about sports through school
- International encountersInternational exchange through sports (Erasmus+)
- CubaSolidarity through sports and exchange