Project "AuGe"

Name of the MWK project: Development of design skills in the context of preventing religiously induced conflicts and radicalization in the (extra)school youth sector
Acronym: AuGe

Project management and application: Prof. Dr. Margit Stein
Project management and project staff: N.N.
Duration: July 2025 - September 2026

Funding: Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony MWK
Funding amount: 131,000.00 euros

Project description:

The AuGe project aims to prevent religiously motivated conflicts and radicalization tendencies in schools and extracurricular contexts at an educational level and to equip educational staff with the necessary skills. At a time of increasing social polarization, particularly in migration and Islam-related debates, the project aims to strengthen teachers and social workers in their ability to assess and shape anti-democratic developments among young people (up to the age of 27) through practical training formats, scientifically based publications and low-threshold media formats and to contribute to a reflexive classification and objectification. It offers an analysis of these topics that is critical of racism, promotes confidence in dealing with religious diversity and radicalization and systematically bundles scientific and practical findings that are made accessible to professional practice.

On the one hand, the urgent challenge of countering Islamist radicalization tendencies is addressed. On the other hand, central social discourses, which are often characterized by stereotypical and racialized representations of migration and religion, are taken up and objectified through scientific classification. The project responds to real challenges such as anti-pluralist and anti-democratic attitudes, which can be expressed through religiously motivated radicalization. These topics are discussed in an interdisciplinary exchange between science, practice and the public.

By providing practical recommendations for action, systematizing existing materials in a practical handbook and promoting a broad social dialogue through a specialist conference and podcast formats, the (specialist) public is reached in order to promote a reflective debate on polarizing topics. By communicating pedagogical and preventative strategies, the project not only supports educational equality and equal opportunities, but also makes an important contribution to strengthening the democratic community and implementing democracy education in schools.