The Impuls Academy is a is a one-week training program for political work and activism. It consists of six different and concurrent courses, led by experienced trainers, along with a diverse program of extracurricular activities.Together, we’ll deepen our skills and gain new methods, tips, and tricks for political work. We’ll make new connections, exchange ideas, and expand our networks.
What makes it special: You choose one course and get to dive deep into that subject throughout the whole week. Pick a course – there’s something for everyone!
From March 31 to April 6, 2025, the second ever Impuls Academy will take place at the NaturSinne seminar house in Lower Austria.
The Impuls Akademie is for everyone who wants to learn new skills and methods that can be applied to political engagement, work for societal change, activism, or community projects. For anyone looking to take their political work to the next level. For young people ready to dive in and for seasoned activists who know there’s always more to learn.
Courses
Aktionsdesign & Strategie 2025
Wie funktioniert effektiver Protest?
Protestaktionen sind Werkzeuge, um sozialen Wandel voranzubringen. Ob durch Aufmerksamkeit, oder durch Druck – die Ansätze sind so vielfältig wie die Organisationen in sozialen Bewegungen. In diesem Kurs fragen wir uns, wie wir unsere Aktionen im Einklang mit verschiedenen Theorien des Wandels möglichst effektiv gestalten können.
Diversität. Macht. Konflikte. 2025
Wie schaffen wir Zusammenarbeit auf Augenhöhe?
In selbstorganisierten und/oder emanzipatorischen Organisationen wird oft davon ausgegangen, dass Macht gleichmäßig verteilt ist oder gar keine Rolle spielt. Doch die Realität sieht häufig anders aus. Dieses Seminar setzt genau hier an.
Kampagnenstrategie 2025
Wie können wir gewinnen?
Verschiedene Wege können zum politischen Ziel führen – oft verlieren wir uns aber in einem Labyrinth aus strategischen Möglichkeiten. In diesem Kurs wollen wir gemeinsam Auswege suchen und klare politische Landkarten zeichnen: durchdachte Kampagnen mit klaren Zielen.
Organizing 2025
Wie kommen wir raus aus der Bubble?
Beim Organizing geht es im Kern um die Frage: Wie schaffe ich es, Menschen auf der Basis ihrer persönlichen Betroffenheit zum Handeln zu bringen? In dem Kurs wollen wir mit euch diskutieren, was Organizing ist und wie wir in sozialen Bewegungen mit Organizing-Methoden Mehrheiten für transformative Politik aufbauen können.
Radikale Medienarbeit 2025
Wie verschieben wir Diskurse?
Wie schaffen wir es, den politischen Diskurs nicht den Rechten zu überlassen und sogar nach links zu verschieben? In dieser Woche behandeln wir alles, was du über Presse- und Medienarbeit wissen musst, um linke Botschaften in die Medien zu bekommen.
Supporting Programme 2025
Apart from the courses, there are several other activities that contribute to a diverse learning space within the Impuls Akademie.
Awareness Session
Social movements are increasingly recognizing the importance of awareness work. At the Impuls Academy, we also want to create a safe and welcoming space for all participants. What exactly awareness work involves depends heavily on the context. In order to pass judgment on something, one must first experience it. Therefore, each morning at the academy, we will hold a mini-awareness session where we try out different practices. Perhaps there’s something there that works well for you.
Time to Digest and Integrate
The week will be packed with ideas and inputs. We know that sustainable learning requires time. Therefore, we’ve planned plenty of breaks, as well as a half-day off where you can relax, reflect, do some sports, or maybe catch up on a few to-dos.
Open Space
We strive to invite interesting speakers who bring valuable experience and inputs. But we also know that the participants themselves bring a wealth of knowledge. To ensure we can all share and inspire each other, there will be an Open Space where participants can propose topics they’d like to discuss or where they can offer their own input.
Engaging Evening Program
For the evenings, we’ve planned a mix of fun and interactive activities, along with more opportunities to discuss, exchange ideas, or learn. The exact evening program will be announced later, but look forward to panel discussions, music, a market of initiatives, and much more!
Tag der offenen Tür
Am Mittwoch, 2. April, öffnet die Impuls Akademie ihre Türen für Tagesgäste. Von 15:30 - 19:00 können Workshops besucht werden. Danach gibt es Abendessen und eine Podiumsdiskussion.
Workshops von der Impuls Akademie
Kraftquellen im Aktivismus: Nachhaltig Engagiert
Referent:in: Isabella (sie/ihr)
Beschreibung
Um im Aktivismus nicht auszubrennen, braucht es auch Achtsamkeit gegenüber den eigenen inneren Ressourcen. In diesem Workshop gehen wir der Frage nach, wie wir nach intensiven Protestaktionen, langwierigen Kampagnen oder konfrontativen Momenten unser Nervensystem regulieren und unsere Motivation aufrechterhalten können. Auf Basis wissenschaftlich fundierter Ansätze aus der Burnout-Prävention und der Resilienzforschung stellen wir einfache, aber effektive Werkzeuge zur Selbstfürsorge vor: Körperwahrnehmungsübungen, Atemtechniken und Achtsamkeitspraxis. Diese Methoden tragen nicht nur zur Stabilisierung des eigenen Systems bei, sondern wirken auch positiv auf ein gutes Miteinander in der Bewegung.
Mapping Körper-Territorium: Feministische Widerstandsstrategien in Lateinamerika
Referent:in: Lorena Olarte (sie/ihr)
Beschreibung
Soziale Bewegungen in den Amerikas und der Karibik verbinden seit jeher soziale und Umweltthemen. Ob in feministischer Wiederaneignung städtischer Räume, Landfragen bäuerlichen Bewegungen oder indigenen Widerständen gegen die koloniale Besetzung ihrer Territorien – in all ihren unterschiedlichen Ansätzen und Organisationsformen verbindet diese Bewegungen das Streben nach Veränderungen, die Raum, Umwelt und Gesellschaft verbinden.
In diesem Workshop erarbeiten wir einen kurzen Überblick über verschiedene Bewegungen, ihre Anliegen sowie Werkzeuge der Organisation. Nach einem Input und gemeinsamen Diskussionen arbeiten wir mit dem Ansatz des kommunitären und indigenen Feminismus: Körper-Territorium (cuerpo-territorio). Dieser Ansatz, der im Widerstand indigener Frauen in Lateinamerika entstanden ist, kann auch in europäischen Kontexten helfen, soziale und ökologische Themen durch den eigenen Körper miteinander zu verknüpfen.
Finanzverwaltung für Aktivismus und Vereine
Referent:in: Stefan (er/ihn)
Beschreibung
Die Geldmanagement von Graswurzel-Aktivismus und kleinen Vereinen ist eine große Herausforderung und enorm wichtig. Trotzdem – oder gerade deswegen – zählen Finanzaufgaben nicht gerade zu den beliebtesten Rollen in politischen Gruppen. In diesem Workshop beschäftigen wir uns mit einigen der wichtigsten Fragen dafür: Welche Aufgaben übernehmen Finanzmenschen überhaupt? Welche Skills braucht es dafür? Und was macht diese Arbeit interessant?
Gemeinsam diskutieren wir, welche Tipps und Tricks es gibt, um Finanzen in einer Gruppe zu organisieren und sie für effektiven Protest zu nutzen.
Workshops von Teilnehmenden
Building anti-racist, self-organized housing
Referent:in: Iva
Beschreibung
How to live active solidarity in housing projects and communities? Join us for an interactive discussion space about building housing communities. We will share the history of Planet 10, our experiences of collective living and organizing in and out of the planet and talk about issues and challenges related to self-organized housing. Topics we want to touch upon are: recognizing privilege, materializing redistribution, working together, intersectionality, how to raise money, how to involve people in solidarity.
Demo- bzw. Aktionstraining
Referent:in: Aktionstrainer:in
Beschreibung
Zusammen können wir viel erreichen! Das Frauenwahlrecht, der 8-Stunden-Tag und viele weitere Errungenschaften sind durch Proteste und Streiks erkämpft worden. Die aktuellen Zeiten sind auch voll von Ungerechtigkeiten, die von der Couch aus nicht verändert werden können. Wir müssen raus auf die Straßen, an die Orte der Zerstörung und uns den Nazis in den Weg stellen! Mit welchen Methoden gemeinsam protestiert werden kann, welche Rechte wir dabei im Umgang mit der Polizei haben und warum Gewaltfreiheit so wirksam ist, erfahrt ihr im Training. Es sind keine Vorkenntnisse nötig. Es werden viele praktische Gruppenübungen durchgespielt, die Spaß machen. Also kommt vorbei!
Panel Discussion in English: Lighthouses in times of crisis and authoritarian change.
The current situation for social movements and progressive forces is characterized by numerous challenges. Their own actions face not only a well and strongly organized European right, but also a globally organized authoritarian, fascist and anti-democratic elite. A sketch of the near future is drawn with technocracy, imperial strategies such as the expansion of territories, war, armament and exploitation. Burning issues such as global distributive justice, the effects of climate change and a good life in peace for all of the world's inhabitants seem far removed from current debates.
But this does not paralyze social movements and emancipatory actors. Today's panel will highlight different approaches to organizing and joining forces that are currently bearing fruit in the respective contexts. The questions are what characterizes them,Wwhy exactly is this form/strategy currently “successful”? Or, to put it another way, why is it necessary right now? What compromises have to be made in some cases and what contradictions have to be lived?
We will also ask the participants about the long-term perspective and predictability, as well as talk about concrete steps for the future. The aim is to learn from each other and to critically question and expand our own repertoire of possibilities.
Info
Date
Monday, 31. March - Sunday, 6. April 2025
Location
The academy will take place at the Seminarhaus NaturSinne in Lower Austria.
This state of the art seminar house is located on one of the many mountains in the picturesque "Bucklige Welt" region on the eastern edge of the Alps. Surrounded by nature, we will have exclusive access to the venue for the duration of the Akademie. The location features large communal areas (including a library with a fireplace), a natural swimming pond, and direct access to forests and meadows.
Address:: Seminarhaus NaturSinne, Kampichl 60, A-2871 Zöbern
Getting There
Public transportation options are available from Vienna or Wiener Neustadt. There are two ways to get to us:
- By train to Aspang Markt. From there, it’s a 6 km, 10-minute taxi ride to the venue.
- By bus (line 7860) to "Krumbach Weißes Kreuz." From there, it’s a 30-minute walk to the venue (passing by Eis-Greissler).
We will organize a shuttle from Aspang Markt to the seminar house. More information will follow after registration
We are unable to cover travel costs for all participants. If the cost of travel is a barrier for you, please contact us in advance.
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation and meals are included in the course fee!
Participants will stay in shared rooms (double or multi-bed). If you have health concerns or specific needs, single rooms can be arranged upon request.
We will provide full vegan catering and snacks during breaks.
Barriers
You’re planning to participate in the Impuls Akademie and wondering how accessible it is? Here, you’ll find infirmation about physical barriers, language options, and available support services.
Physical barriers
There is an elevator from the garden floor to the second floor of the main building, which is accessible by wheelchair.
There are no stairs or steps on the floors themselves. The doors are wide enough for wheelchairs.
The restrooms are not wheelchair accessible (no grab bars or wheelchair-friendly seat and sink heights).
There are small garden paths, but the main path in the garden is paved and easily accessible by wheelchair or walker. The path to the pond is steep and should be avoided by wheelchair users and people with mobility restrictions.
People with visual impairment
The location does not have a guiding system. However, we can organize a buddy system, where another participant will accompany you.
People with hearing impairment
There are no fixed inductive hearing loops.
Translation to sign language is not planned,
Personal assistance
Unfortunately, we cannot cover the working hours of personal assistants. However, we can cover travel and accommodation costs for them. Service animals are welcome.
Language
The working language of the Akademie is German. One course will be held (partially) in English. Currently, no translation or sign language interpretation will be provided.
Childcare
During course hours, childcare will be available. You can bring children up to the age of 10. Please make sure to let us know in advance if you plan on bringing children!
Will alcohol be consumed during the event?
On some evenings, alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. One evening will also feature a party. As courses are scheduled the next day, excessive alcohol consumption is not expected.
Did we miss anything?
If you would like to participate in the Akademie but have access needs that we have not covered, feel free to email us, and we will see how we can work together to make your participation possible.
Participation Fee
You’d like to participate in our academy and are wondering about the costs? Here’s a clear overview of our tiered participation fees, tailored to different needs and backgrounds. From activists and citizen initiatives to NGO employees, we have an option for everyone. If finances are tight right now, we also offer reduced fees and scholarships. Check out the details and find out what support is available. We don’t want finances to be a barrier to your participation!
- For unpaid activists of grassroots movements and citizen initiatives:
€200 - 500 (based on self-assessment) - For employees of NGOs, trade unions and similar organizations/institutions:
€900 - 1400 (based on self-assessment) - For anyone who cannot afford the participation fee at the moment::
€ 100 - 200
It is possible to pay in installements. Please contact us.
We encourage everyone to discuss with their respective organizations whether the participation fee (or part of it) can be covered by the organization.
The fee includes the courses, course materials, accommodation, and meals.
We can reimburse travel costs in some cases, though the budget for this is limited. Our goal is to ensure that finances do not pose a barrier to participating in the Akademie.
Signing up and next steps
Is the Impuls Akademie right for me?
You can sign up for the Impuls Akademie if you fulfil these basic requirements:
- You have experience in political and/or civil society engagement.
- Du bist an eine progressive und emanzipatorische Bewegung oder Organisation angebunden.
- You are motivated to put what you learn at the Impuls Akademie into practice.
If you don’t quite identify with terms like 'activist,' 'social movement,' or 'political work'? don’t worry! We are looking for people with any kind of commitment to creating a better, fairer, and more sustainable world. If you’re unsure, feel free to send us an email!
Does signing-up guarantee me a spot?
No, not quite. Course spots are limited, and we strive for a broad diversity of participants (thematic focuses, organizational forms, personal and professional backgrounds, etc.). That’s why the registration includes some questions to help us get a sense of the participants. Only Early Birds are guaranteed a spot in their desired course (registration by December 20th!)
Will all courses definitely take place?
We don’t know yet. Our final course selection will depend on participants’ needs and interests. That’s why we ask you to select an alternative option during registration.
When will I find out if I have a spot and in which course?
- December 20th: Deadline for Early Birds + notification for Early Bird registrations.
- After that: Confirmation of registration within a week of signing up.
- January 31st: At the end of January, we’ll review the registrations and decide which courses will definitely take place. If your preferred course can’t take place, we’ll get in touch with you.
Uncertainties? Questions?
Komm zu unserem nächsten Online-Infocall und mach dir persönlich ein Bild!
When: Mittwoch, 29. Jänner 2025, 13:00 - 14:00
Where:: via Zoom, Anmeldung hier
English 
German