Aug22136 Most Socially-Conscious Civic Enterprise 2023 Rathauspassage Hamburg is a social enterprise located in the heart of its namesake city, which was founded more than 20 years ago, and has possessed an unbridled commitment to create equal opportunities, sustainable ways of living, and fight poverty and unemployment ever since. The company’s primary focus is to qualify and further train individuals who find themselves disadvantaged in the general labour market; a process concreted by the enterprise’s firm belief in indivisible human dignity. This noble mission faced a considerable setback a few years ago, whereby water damage was sustained at the location, and a difficult decision made about whether to shut down the project or commence a re-build on this social lighthouse. Luckily, a fundraising campaign to finance the renovation of the building is underway, and we speak with Björn Dobbertin, to learn more about the project and this wider civic enterprise. Social enterprise Rathauspassage Hamburg has an end-goal of improving the lives of its employees by guiding them across their own path towards a selfdetermined future. While at the building, patrons can enjoy a coffee, buy a book, or relish in a traditional Hanseatic lunch, all within a facility that boasts some of the best views of the city and supports a good cause. Any revenue made goes directly towards the promoting of democracy and the affording of more equal opportunities. In addition to Hamburg (er)leben (tourist information), Cafédrale (a restaurant), and Kehrwieder (a bookstore), Rathauspassage Hamburg proudly offers a fully equipped stage for readings, panel discussions, Oct23031 concerts, and film screenings. By acting as a connecting hub for a number of different worlds, the building and enterprise creates something that is worth the journey into the city centre and is something that Björn believes the city needs more of in the future. He explains “‘Revenue per square metre’ can no longer be the sole metric in retail; it must be complemented by the concept of ‘experience per square metre.’” The more than 5.3 million people in Hamburg and the surrounding region are the chief focus of Björn and the team, who ask the difficult questions about the causes of poverty, social exclusion, and injustice, working tirelessly to combat their effects. To this end, active dialogue is participated in with churches, politicians, the business community, and civil society – all partners supporting the company’s mission. As an enterprise rooted in Christianhumanistic values, humanity is practised in a way that is professional and needoriented, with the team acting as advocates for the silenced socially disadvantaged and marginalised. As Björn describes, “Integration and social participation are measurable benchmarks for our actions”, with these goals being worked towards in a way that will benefit urban society for all. Economically strong and sustainable, all employees are afforded trust and support by the enterprise, confident that the overarching mission will be successful. For Björn, Hamburg is a city that is rich with tradition, and those who can help the cause do so without making a fuss. After all, Rathauspassage Hamburg becoming the epicentre of the city’s social activity would not have been possible had it not been for the support of local people, business, and political communities. This extensive network that has been established is a strength in and of itself, and the willingness of businesses to support and collaborate reinforces the spirit of the area and its inhabitants. Firm believers in second, third, or fourth chances, Rathauspassage Hamburg is a company boasting a flat hierarchy, clear from its innovative decision to abolish the common German tradition of addressing people by their last name. The entire team is ultimately united by a common vision, and committing to this requires a tremendous amount of trust. Through this innate sense of trust, employees are empowered to work towards personal growth and openly taking part in discussions and debates, leading to a sense of identification that reflects the enterprise as a whole. This year celebrates the 25th anniversary of Rathauspassage Hamburg, and in early 2024, the renovation period is expected to come to an end and the building reopened. Following the water damage, the cost for this conversion is more than €4.4 million, and although the Hamburg Senate is carrying over €2.6 million, the company still needs to raise almost €2 million of its own to ensure prosperity and the successful running of the project for the next 30 years. More than 70% of the way to its goal, the new Rathaupassage is destined to become a special, social meeting place with an honourable mission at its core. Contact: Björn Dobbertin Company: Rathauspassage Hamburg Web Address: https://www.rathauspassage.de/#
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