Action training

We offer training workshops for newcomers and experienced people, for individuals who want to get together for an action, as well as existing affinity and action groups who want to prepare together. Action training can help prepare for a specific action (a Nazi march, summit protest, etc), but also be part of mobillisation efforts in the context of  a political campaign. Since action training workshops allow participants to develop knowledge and skills that can be used for different types of actions (large demonstrations, blockades, small group actions, etc.), action training sessions are also suitable as a practical part of more theoretically oriented conferences.
Content of action training sessions
The contents of an action training sessions depend on the needs of the participants and the context. We call the individual components of a training workshop “modules”. Typical module sof our training sessions are:
  • Motivations for and goals of actions
  • Dealing with fear and anxieties
  • Reflections on civil disobedience
  • Affinity groups as the basis of actions
  • Decision-making in and amongst affinity groups (in the delegate meetings/speakers’ councils)
  • Blockade techniques
  • Basic legal information and dealing with repression
You can find a list with detailed descriptions of some modules below >>> Our training workshop are not courses, where the trainers “teach” the participants the “right” behaviour during actions. Rather, they provide participants with a space for preparing for an action they want to engage in. As trainers we facilitate an exchange of experiences among participates and offer participants exercises and role plays that can help increase individual and collective capacity for action, reduce fear. Participants can learn new things, building on what has already been tried and tested. Depending on the occasion, location and content, training sessions can be for smaller groups (a minimum of 10 people makes sense) or larger groups (we have had trainings for over 250 people). The duration can also vary, from 3.5-hour short training sessions to more intensive day-long or multi-day training session. If desired, our action training workshops can also be exclusively for FLTI* (WomenLesbianTrans*Inter and all other non-binary gender identities) or BPoC (Black or and People of Color). Let us know what you have in mind and we will do our best to accomodate your preferences. If there is a need for training, money should not prevent it from happening. Nonetheless, we normally expect that organisers of a training sessions pay for trainers’ travel costs. We also gladly accept fees from larger organizations and initiatives – the amount can be discussed in each case. We find rates of 250€ for a 3.5 hour training and 500€ for a day training a good guideline for training sessions that take place in German-speaking countries. If you approach us about a training session elsewhere, we are happy discuss with you what works in your local context. If you want to invite us to a facilitate a training sessionyou can contact us via skillsforaction@immerda.ch

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Modules
Civil disobedience: What does the term civil disobedience mean? What does it mean for us in the workshop? What role does civil disobedience play in our actions? Affinity groups: On your own, they’ll shut you down! What are affinity groups? What are the tasks in an affinity group? What kind of problems can there be?  Why are affinity groups helpful? Decision making: During an action, before an action, in your group or project: decisions have to be made all the time. Sometimes you have more time for decisions and sometimes less. Sometimes you have to make decisions with just two people, but sometimes with 100 people. This module introduces methods to make decisions in a group easier. Consensus: What does it mean to decide by consensus? Do you have to discuss until everyone agrees? And how do you find a consensus? What are the methods? Blockade techniques: Different ways of blockades are practiced here, in large and small groups. Anti-repression and legal information: A short introduction to the legal basics for actions and how do deal with repression. Note that the module does not replace legal advice. Moderation of delegates meetings/speakers’ council:s Everyone gets together at an action or e.g. at a camp: But how do you moderate such a delegate meeting/speakers’ council? How do you manage to have a good meeting even in stressful situations? Dealing with residents/employees during blockades: This is about how to communicate with residents or employees before and during an action (e.g. dealing with employers wishing to go to the office that is being blocked). Dealing with fear, threatening situations, panic: In many actions, unpleasant situations may arise, such as discrimination, being injured etc. This workshop is mainly about our fears and how we can deal with them and possibly overcome them. Working through fears during an action is also a topic here. Dealing with police violence: This workshop is about possibilities for dealing with the experience of police violence, but also about strategies to avoid police violence, as far as possible.

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