join

 

to the documents

 

 

What does the Verbund offer?

 

As an association, we want to strengthen and support local open workshops and jointly promote the ideas of self-work and commons in society. The Verbund Offener Werkstätten sees itself as representing the interests of all Open Workshops - whether they are members or not. It is therefore also worthwhile for non-members to take a look at our website and subscribe to the newsletter (published in German) so as not to miss anything. The following offers of the association are open to all:

  • Advice and practical help
  • Training courses and webinars
  • Networking events, such as the SommerCamp or regional network meetings
  • Supporting the exchange of knowledge between open workshops, e.g. through CoWiki and Matrix
  • Support with public relations work: workshop search/platform, self-image poster, image brochures, blog articles, film, newsletter
  • Nationwide network and joint representation of interests
  • Implementation of projects in which open workshops can participate, e.g. FabAccess, Explore 2.0

 

Why become a member?

 

There are three kind of members:

 

Extras for ordinary members

  • you are part of the VOW community and can use our platforms for exchange (mailing lists and our chat rooms on Matrix)
  • you can take part in all VOW events
  • you can have a say in the VOW community (right to vote in the general meeting, hold offices/functions in VOW)
  • in addition to the integrated liability insurance, you have access to other insurance policies with special conditions (e.g. accident, inventory, event insurance, etc.)
  • you can use digital services for your Open Workshop (Nextcloud, Matrix)
  • you have preferential access to calls for tenders (e.g. instructor training projects/Travel+Write/FabAccess)
  • you can use the tax law advice of our partner law firm Schomerus

Extras for extraordinary members

  • you are part of the VOW community and can use our platforms for exchange (mailing lists, our chat rooms on Matrix)
  • you can take part in all VOW events, but do not have voting rights at the general meeting
  • in addition to the integrated liability insurance, you have access to other insurance policies at special conditions (e.g. accident, inventory, event insurance, etc.)

 

Memberships

 

ordinary memberships

are open for Open Workshops with non-profit status or administrative institutions under public law, such as schools and universities. Repair initiatives with non-profit status can choose whether they want to become a full member or an associate member. Membership fee from 220€ per year.

extraordinary memberships

are open to Repair-Initiatives and Open Workshops without non-profit status. Membership fee from 120€ per year.

Supporting membership

is open to anyone who would like to support the aims of the VOW but is not themselves an Open Workshop or Repair-Initiative. Membership fee from €20 per year.

 

How to become a member

 

To apply for membership, please sign the completed application form and send the original to our postal address: Verbund Offener Werkstätten e.V., P.O. Box 12 01 12, 40601 Düsseldorf

To become a member, your initiative must also be registered on one of the following platforms:

  • Open Workshops must create a profile on the platform in order to become a member. You can register here.
  • Repair-Initiatives must create a profile on the platform for Repair-Initiatives (in German only).

 

Contact

 

if you have any questions please contact us.

  • Tom advises on membership, setting up a new workshop, insurance and Repair-Initiatives
  • You can ask Lisa questions about the application, finances and membership in general
  • Anjusch can answer all your questions about offers and extras for members and the Open Workshop community.


Documents

 

The application documents are currently only available in German. Please contact us if you need help filling out the form or need an explanation of the statute or tariffs in English.