The Citizens’ Panel on the development of key objectives for gender equality in Berlin lays an important foundation for a forward-looking equality policy in the State of Berlin. The format focuses on participation, dialogue and mutual understanding: listening, sharing personal experiences, engaging with different perspectives and developing viable proposals as a result – this is precisely where the particular strength of this deliberative participatory format lies.

Around 50 Berliners aged 16 and over, selected at random, will meet on three occasions in July, September and October 2026 to discuss which areas of social life in Berlin require particular attention in order to further advance gender equality. This involves, amongst other things, identifying current areas for action, formulating specific, action-oriented objectives, identifying relevant stakeholders and target groups in the field of gender equality, and making the Berlin Constitution’s mandate on gender equality tangible for different sectors of society. Working in facilitated small groups, in plenary sessions and through participatory and dialogue-based methods, participants will share their everyday experiences; they will receive information from experts from academia, government and civil society; and together they will develop recommendations for a fairer and more inclusive society in Berlin.

The Citizens’ Forum is deliberately designed to be accessible and inclusive. Issues relating to gender equality are not discussed in abstract terms, but are linked to the participants’ actual lived experiences. The random selection of participants from all of Berlin’s districts ensures that as diverse a range of perspectives as possible from Berlin’s urban society is represented.

The nexus Institute was commissioned to design, organise and run the citizens’ forum. This includes, amongst other things, developing the methodological framework, the selection process, participant management, gender-sensitive facilitation, organising the events, and compiling a report on the findings and an implementation report.

Duration: 05/2026 – 12/2026
Client: Senatsverwaltung für Arbeit, Soziales, Gleichstellung, Integration, Vielfalt und Antidiskriminierung
Team: Dr. Arnd Hofmeister, Tzvetina Arsova Netzelmann, Prof. Dr. Christiane Dienel, Nicolas Bach, Wiebke Blum, Justine Kenzler, Daniel Jurischka

Photo: Wolfilser – stock.adobe.com