Meet The NGOs Bringing Berlin Together
Berlin NGOs that are Connecting People, Driving Social Change, and Strengthening Communities Across the City
03.09.25 – Saskia Fry
NGOs are non-profit organisations dedicated to driving social change and operating outside direct government control.
In a bustling, multicultural city like Berlin, there are hundreds of NGOs working on causes big and small, reaching and uniting diverse communities. At ForEveryone, community is at the heart of our mission, and we strive to create a space that is joyful, caring, and full of warmth.
That’s why we’re excited to shine a spotlight on other Berlin NGOs doing incredible work to bring people together and uplift our neighbourhoods.
Karuna
Karuna is a Berlin NGO very close to our hearts. Founded in 2016, Karuna began by supporting people facing homelessness and social exclusion. Today, they tackle a wide range of social and environmental challenges, always bringing diverse voices to the table. As a solidarity-based cooperative, Karuna builds communities where socially marginalised people can craft a sustainable and just future.
One of Karuna’s projects is the cafe on Boxhagenerplatz. For over two decades, this space has supported those without housing and young people completing community service. Now known as The No.52 Cafe, the cafe is part of a long-running collaboration between ForEveryone and Karuna. Staying true to its roots, the space has become a shared community-run hub rooted in care, creativity, and connection.
You’ll still find the Karuna Kompass – a street paper made by and for Berlin’s unhoused community – at the cafe.
More Projects
Other Karuna projects include Task Force X and the Tiny Forests – Miniwalder Project.
The KARUNA Task Force operates throughout Berlin, providing outreach and support to people experiencing homelessness. You can find them at Hausotterstraße 52, 13409, Monday through Friday, and they can be reached at +49 157 8059 7870.
The Tiny Forests – Miniwalder Project is a fight to make Berlin more resilient to climate change. This is done through planting small forests in the city that promote biodiversity, absorb heavy rainwater and cool in summer. They’re still looking for people to help with their mission. Take a look at their website to find out more.
Project Together
Another great Berlin NGO is ProjectTogether. ProjectTogether unites people from politics, business, and civil society to drive lasting change. The focus is on areas that need transformation, like public administration, food and agriculture, health, and support for newcomers and civic participation.
“Together we’re building the operating system for a new way of interacting as a society, politics, and business”
One of their major initiatives is the Welcome Alliance. This network of hundreds of organisations supports refugees and improves integration. To strengthen this work, ProjectTogether set up the Welcome Alliance Fund, which has already mobilised several million euros for supporting arrival and participation in society. The project has raised 3.1 million+ euros for the Alliance4Ukraine Fund!
ProjectTogether not only initiates but also hosts and incubates missions together with partners. One of the hosted missions is Goal100. The team works toward Germany’s renewable energy targets – for example with tools like a wind energy dashboard.
Give Something Back To Berlin
Through programs and events centred on food, music, language, and art, Give Something Back To Berlin (GSBTB) builds supportive spaces for individuals to connect and engage in their communities.Their projects promote social and cultural integration and are free and open to everyone.
The story of GSBTB shows why Berlin needs NGOs like this. It all started with a Facebook post in 2012 calling for more community and connection in the city, sparking a movement that grew into today’s vibrant network.
At their two locations, the Blue House in Donaustraße, and in the Refugio building in Lenaustraße. 3, they offer a mix of yoga, music lessons, and language courses such as Arabic, German, and English. You can see all of their upcoming events here.
NGO Nest
Nest is a Berlin NGO on a mission to spark social change through international projects with a local impact. NEST works as a hub for European initiatives, supporting both young people and adults from designing projects to conducting research to getting hands-on in the field.
Their work stretches across various EU programmes like Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, AMIF, and EuropeAid Projects. Every year, NEST connects communities by sending and hosting young participants from across Europe and Africa.
Beyond managing projects, NEST is all about boosting human, social, and economic development. Their approach to this is rooted in non-formal education, meaning using creative tools, education through sport, networking, game-based learning, and more.
Right now they’re working on some exciting initiatives.
- Remode helps textile and fashion professionals gain new skills as Europe shifts toward greener fashion.
- Pirouette Phase 2 aims to promote the use of performative arts for fostering social and civic engagement of youth and promoting global citizenship among “unprivileged art(ists)”
- Mentors reimagines the role of referees in children’s sports by fostering teamwork between parents, coaches, and sports officials.
These are just three of many projects that Nest offers.
ForEveryone
We are fostering a society that celebrates wellbeing and diversity. Through a mix of social projects, workshops, and seminars, we integrate art, music, and movement to offer unique avenues for self-expression and personal growth. ForEveryone workshops range from knitting and yoga to pottery and more, all offered at socially inclusive prices to keep them accessible to everyone. Whether you’re new to Berlin or a local, these activities can help you join a supportive and welcoming community.
You can find us at No.52 Pavillon, Boxhanger Platz. The cafe is home to lots of our creative workshops, as well as tea, coffee and conversation. Behind the bar are our lovely volunteer baristas. We’re always looking for people to join the team, whether you’re a latte art pro or have never pulled an espresso shot before. To find out more get in contact with us here!
We also host Creative Sunday every second Sunday of the month, from 2–5 pm at Begegnungsstätte Falkensteinstraße 6. This is where lots of our workshops are also held. Each month features a different donation-based workshop, blending art, music, and movement. Check our Instagram to see what’s coming up!
And don’t miss our Saturday German Language Café Meet-up from 3–5 pm at Boxi. It’s a relaxed, friendly space to practice your German, enjoy a guided workshop, and even bring your own art supplies. Tea and coffee are donation-based, keeping it welcoming and accessible for everyone.
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