WP1: Current situation & information on services and good practices

In this work package the experiences and the current situation of all participating institutions are analyzed. This work package includes ongoing discussion and contact with the relevant actors, and the data collection will mostly take place by means of personal communications with (i) the Ombudspersons of the Berlin area, with whom contacts have already been established in the course of the pilot project, (ii) the offices and contact persons in charge of the services provided at the BUA institutions, (iii) representatives of the BUA partner institutions (e.g., VP level, “Stabsstellen”; other relevant contact persons).

Another step is to investigate what services (e.g., legal support, administrative support, contact persons, etc.) are or may be provided to the Ombudspersons by their institution.

With regard to the meta-research aspects of the OBUA project, the data collected in the WP1 will enable the analysis of possible actions against qualitatively similar forms of misconduct, and assess assets and liabilities of different practical measures and good practices.

WP2: Exchange and training

Improvement in the Ombudswesen cannot be ensured without, (i) a high commitment of the partners involved; (ii) ability to provide support, both external and mutual; (iii) an adequacy of the skills required for the Ombuds-activities

The WP2 will be structured in the form of a common curriculum to be developed throughout the project, comprising a number of units.
A substantial building block of WP2 will be the mutual-mentoring, which will encourage the Ombudspersons to cultivate collaborative networks to offer knowledge and feedback and share their experiences.
To promote a team-building process, we will set up a digital forum which will allow for constant exchange among the Ombudspersons, favoring moments of confrontations.