In times of conflict and division, civil society actors need to hold space for dialogue and decision-making — even in difficult or high-pressure environments. Join the Facilitating Real Dialogue, a series of online workshops within the Civil Society Forum’s Berlin Hub initiative. These sessions are designed for civil society leaders, facilitators and activists—particularly those working in contexts of systemic pressure, conflict or war.

June 10 / 10:00–13:00 CEST

“Trauma-Informed Facilitation — A systemic lens for holding civic spaces”

with Christa Cocciole and Julia Hoffmann

How do we create spaces where safety, dignity, and belonging are more than ideals—where they can be felt, embodied, and sustained? Trauma doesn’t disappear with time; Left unspoken, it echoes back to us—especially in moments of tension or stress. Noticing these patterns allows us to stop repeating harm and start transforming how we connect and lead.

This session offers embodied practices and practical tools to strengthen trauma-awareness in ourselves and our communities. We’ll explore how to recognise trauma responses, how to speak the language of nervous systems, and hold space when others are in different states of distress or shutdown. Hosts will also offer a map to orient ourselves in this inquiry—turning inward, staying present with others, co-creating trust, and remaining open to what emerges.

Registration opens soon—stay tuned.

June 16 / 10:00–13:00 CEST

When a conversation gets difficult: how to work with difference and tension”

with Payam Yuce Isik

In a world of growing complexity and deepening polarization, we often find ourselves navigating opposing perspectives and unresolved tensions. Left unspoken, these dynamics can build up and lead to conflict. To build healthier collaborations and more resilient partnerships, we need to engage with what’s beneath the surface: hidden emotions, unspoken concerns, and group power dynamics. This session with Payam Yuce Isik offers practical tools for engaging with difference and working with tension more consciously. Together, we’ll explore:

➨ How to create spaces where everyone’s voice is heard and valued

➨ How to recognize the underlying tensions that block a group progress and diagnose when group dynamics become polarized

➨ Practical tools to “lower the waterline” — and bring those hidden dynamics into the group conscious

➨ How to stay in conversation when different views and emotions make dialogue hard

Registration opens soon—stay tuned.