The sicher engagiert team took part in the BarCamp organised by the Federal Agency for Civic Education, entitled “Society Under Pressure – Recognising Social Inequality, Strengthening Prevention, Promoting Social Cohesion”, held in Cologne on October 15 and 16, 2026. Discussions with professionals from education, civil society, public administration and academia focused on the impact of growing wealth inequality on the risk of radicalisation. Experts emphasised that economic inequality contributes to extremism. “No one is responsible for having to grow up in poverty, because poverty is caused by structural factors,” explained one economist. “When more and more people become poorer while wealth is concentrated in the hands of just a few, society becomes divided and democracy is put at risk.”
For this very reason, so-called third places, such as neighbourhood meeting points, barbecue areas and youth centres, are essential spaces for democratic encounters, prevention and local cohesion. Long-term support for these places therefore makes an important contribution to a resilient democracy. Unfortunately, these spaces are increasingly being closed down and no longer exist in many rural areas – this was the clear consensus among BarCamp participants.
