mehr als lernen

What mehr als lernen does

mehr als lernen e. V. is a non-profit registered association (e.V.) headquartered in Berlin, founded in 2005, delivering competency-oriented educational programs to young people in grades 5-13 across Berlin and Brandenburg, with selected international activity in Luxembourg. Its offering is organized into four program areas: Klassengemeinschaft gestalten (class-cohesion and social competence training), Gestalte Deine Zukunft (career and life orientation for grades 7-13, aligned with Berlin's BVBO framework), Schule gestalten (student council seminars, democracy workshops, school development weeks), and the mehr als lernen-Akademie (an internal 40-day seminar-leader training plus continuing professional development for educators and adult groups). Supporting infrastructure includes the owned Bildungsstätte Fleeth on the Mecklenburg Lake District (a residential training facility with ~1,000 annual guests and a 2025-installed photovoltaic system) and the cross-school SV-Netzwerk community.

The organization is built on a proprietary methodology rooted in Ruth Cohn's Themenzentrierte Interaktion (TZI), documented in an internal Methoden-Wiki of over 4,500 pages. Delivery is full-service: programs are bundled packages including facilitation, travel, accommodation, supervision, and meals. Underlying technology is standard knowledge-work tooling (Google Workspace, Zoom, BigBlueButton), with no proprietary AI/ML or platform layer. Operations are governed by a soziocratic, self-managed structure with approximately 30 core staff and 40 active seminar leaders, alongside 17 named partner organizations spanning federal ministries, political foundations, and the Landesschülerausschuss Berlin.

The revenue model is multi-stream and nonprofit: program and trip fees (set to cost-recovery), public and private grants (BMBF, BMFSFJ, bpb, IHK Berlin, Deutsche Postcode Lotterie, political foundations), and tiered donations (€50-€1,000). The organization holds AZAV accreditation, DIN EN ISO 9001 quality management, formal recognition as a free youth welfare provider, and federal political education provider status — all of which gate access to public funding streams. Customers are diversified across 30+ Berlin schools, youth organizations, individual participants, and adult/corporate clients, with no single embedded accounting customer. The organization is actively operating with open job postings, a new FSJ/BFD cohort beginning July 2026, and the Frühlingscamp 2026 school improvement festival scheduled for March 13-15, 2026.

Name

mehr als lernen

Legal name

mehr als lernen e. V.

Website

https://mehralslernen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

mehr als lernen e. V. is a Berlin-based non-profit (founded 2005) delivering competency-based educational programs — class cohesion, career orientation, democratic participation, and educator training — to students in grades 5-13 across Berlin and Brandenburg schools, plus a small Luxembourg training extension.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Education and Non-Formal Learning Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), Internships, Externships & Work-Based Learning Placement (EDAMAKAB)

Keywords

• Youth education programs
• Experiential learning services
• Democratic education workshops
• Career orientation seminars
• Educator professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Program and Trip Fees: As a nonprofit, the organization charges participation fees to cover program costs. Fees fund seminars, travel, accommodation, supervision, and meals. When external funding or Kooperationspartner are secured, participant cost contributions are reduced accordingly.
2. Fördermittel (Public and Private Grants): The organization successfully acquires public and private funding for specific projects and programs. Partners and supporters co-finance offerings, reducing participant cost contributions. Funding sources include federal ministries, foundations, and EU programs.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. The organization is recognized as a charitable nonprofit (gemeinnützig) by the tax authority. Donation tiers fund specific educational activities such as democracy workshops (€50), workshops (€150), class trips (€300), and school community coaching (€1,000).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

mehr als lernen e. V. is a non-profit educational organization that delivers bundled, full-service experiential learning programs for school classes, student councils, and youth in grades 5–13, organized into four program areas (Klassengemeinschaft gestalten, Gestalte Deine Zukunft, Schule gestalten, and the mehr als lernen-Akademie). Offerings include on-site school seminars, multi-day class trips held at its own Bildungsstätte Fleeth, student-council training, career and life orientation workshops, and a Federal Voluntary Service (FSJ/BFD) program, priced on a cost-recovery basis and subsidized through public and private grants.

Product overview

mehr als lernen e. V. is a nonprofit educational organization (registered association, Berlin) founded in 2005 offering competency-based educational programs for young people. Its portfolio is organized into four program areas: (1) Klassengemeinschaft gestalten — social competence and team-building programs for school classes, including experiential training and class council introduction; (2) Gestalte Deine Zukunft — career and life orientation seminars for grades 7–13; (3) Schule gestalten — student participation and school development programs including student council trips, democracy workshops, and cross-school festivals; and (4) mehr als lernen-Akademie — internal academy for seminar leader training plus adult/educator professional development. Supporting offerings include the Bildungsstätte Fleeth (owned off-site venue on Mecklenburg Lake District), Freiwilligendienst (FSJ/BFD) volunteer programs, the SV-Netzwerk cross-school student council community, and the SV-Coach training program. The organization serves schools across Berlin and conducts over 400 programs annually reaching over 10,000 people, with an internal team of 30 staff and 40 seminar leaders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• mehr als lernen-Akademie: Internal academy offering continuing education for seminar leaders and professional development programs for educators and adult groups.
• Bildungsstätte Fleeth

Products and services

• Klassengemeinschaft gestalten (Class Community Programs) Social competence and team-building programs for school classes grades 5–13 in Berlin and Brandenburg, including class-finding trips, experiential education team trainings, introduction to the class council (Klassenrat), and social skills training. Delivered as bundled program packages directly to partner schools.
• Gestalte Deine Zukunft (Career and Life Orientation) Career and life orientation seminars for grades 7–13, helping students identify strengths, competencies, and future paths. Aligned with Berlin's enhanced vocational orientation program (BVBO); recognized as an IHK Berlin approved training company.
• Schule gestalten (Student Participation and School Development) Student participation and school development programs including student council (SV) seminars, democracy workshops, school development weeks (Schulgestaltungswoche), and cross-school festivals, supporting political Bildung (education) and recognized at the federal level for political education.
• mehr als lernen-Akademie (Professional Development) Continuing education and professional development programs for educators, adult groups, and companies — covering methodology, didactics, classroom management, democratic pedagogy, experiential and game-based pedagogy, digital media in instruction, and participation in school life. Now also a recognized training partner of IFEN Luxembourg.
• Bildungsstätte Fleeth (Owned Off-Site Venue) Owned educational facility on the Mecklenburg Lake District used for off-site seminars, social competence trainings, team trainings, academy programs, and overnight stays. The facility was upgraded in 2025 with a new roof and photovoltaic installation (approx. 30 kW) and 10 kWh battery storage.
• Freiwilligendienst (FSJ/BFD) Volunteer Program 12-month Federal Voluntary Service (FSJ) and Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) program for young people after school, including qualification as seminar leader and office/project experience. Recognized as a BFD placement provider by the Bundesamt für Familie und zivilgesellschaftliche Aufgaben (BAFzA).
• Ausbildung zum Schülervertretungs-Coach (SV-Coach Training) Eight-day certified training program for youth engaged in student government, covering meeting moderation, project management, and school law. Open to students aged 14 and older.
• Frühlingscamp (Annual School Improvement Festival) Annual school improvement festival co-organized with the Landesschülerausschuss Berlin, bringing together youth from across Berlin schools to develop and present school improvement projects to politicians and education officials. Includes bus transport from Berlin, accommodation, meals, and the program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of participants recommend programs (2023–2024)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Bundesverband Innovative BildungsprogrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partnermehr als lernen is a member of this federal association of innovative education programs. Founder Steffen Gentsch serves on the association's board, indicating deep strategic alignment. The partnership provides advocacy for innovative educational approaches at the federal level.
• Landesschülerausschuss BerlinflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the annual Frühlingscamp (school improvement festival) since 2019, and the Vernetzungsabend held in the Berlin Abgeordnetenhaus. This is the organization's flagship annual event bringing together 60+ youth from across Berlin schools to develop and present school improvement projects to politicians and education officials.
• Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial government partner for education in Berlin. Marie Gründel, member of mehr als lernen's leadership team, serves on the advisory board for sustainable, climate-neutral schools of Berlin's Senator for Education Sandra Scheeres. The partnership enables school-based program delivery.
• Berliner Landeszentrale für politische BildungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose cooperation partner providing political education programs in Berlin schools. mehr als lernen is an official partner organization, delivering democracy and political education programs under the Landeszentrale's umbrella.
• Social Entrepreneurship Netzwerk Deutschland (SEND e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnermehr als lernen is a member of SEND e.V., Germany's network for social entrepreneurship. The organization co-initiated the Runder Tisch gute Bildung (Round Table for Quality Education), which meets regularly in the Berlin Abgeordnetenhaus.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Demokratiepädagogik (DeGeDe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member and partner in the German Society for Democracy Education. Collaborates on program development and advocacy for democratic pedagogy in schools.
• Landesvereinigung Kulturelle Jugendbildung Berlin e.V. (LKJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Berlin state association for cultural youth education, enabling collaboration on arts-based and cultural education programs.
• DGB-Jugendbildungsstätte Flecken ZechlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation with the DGB Youth Education Center in Flecken Zechlin, a fellow youth education provider, for program exchange and collaborative training.
• Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal ministry providing funding for educational programs. mehr als lernen operates as a funded provider under BMBF-supported initiatives, enabling program delivery at reduced cost for participants.
• Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal ministry supporting youth education and family programs. The organization receives funding through BMFSFJ programs, particularly for youth welfare and democratic education initiatives.
• Institut de formation de l'Éducation nationale (IFEN), LuxemburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized as a training partner by Luxembourg's national institute for teacher and educator training (IFEN, part of the Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de l'Enfance et der Jugend). mehr als lernen delivers continuing education for teachers and social education professionals in Luxembourg.
• Bundesamt für Familie und zivilgesellschaftliche Aufgaben (BAFzA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal agency supporting civil society organizations. The organization operates as a recognized Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD) placement provider, enabling volunteers to complete their mandatory civil service at mehr als lernen.
• Friedrich Ebert StiftungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPolitical foundation affiliated with the SPD, supporting educational programs on democracy, civic engagement, and social policy. Part of mehr als lernen's broad partner ecosystem.
• Konrad-Adenauer-StiftungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPolitical foundation affiliated with CDU/CSU, supporting civic education and democratic participation programs. Part of the partner ecosystem.
• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal agency for political education providing resources, funding, and programmatic support for political education initiatives. mehr als lernen is an approved political education provider at the federal level.
• Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung (DKJS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman Children and Youth Foundation supporting innovative educational programs. Partnership enables funding and program co-development for youth education initiatives.
• Bundesforum Kinder- und Jugendreisen e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partnermehr als lernen operates as a recognized partner of this federal forum for child and youth travel. The organization acknowledges and commits to the forum's quality guidelines and standards for youth travel programs.
• Education Y / Runder Tisch gute BildungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnermehr als lernen co-initiated the Runder Tisch gute Bildung (Round Table for Quality Education) together with Education Y. The initiative convenes regularly in the Berlin Abgeordnetenhaus to advocate for quality education policy.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IJAB – Fachstelle für Internationale Jugendarbeit: Germany's central specialist agency for international youth work, funded by BMFSFJ. Comparable in operating structure (federal recognition, grant-funded programs, school/youth audience) and in mission overlap with mehr als lernen's civic and youth-leadership offerings.
• Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung (DKJS): Major German foundation operating nationwide youth-education programs with substantial funding capacity. DKJS is also a documented partner of mehr als lernen, addressing overlapping segments (school development, democratic education, career orientation) at significantly larger scale.
• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb): Federal agency for political education that funds and accredits providers of civic education across Germany. mehr als lernen is a recognized bpb provider; bpb addresses the same demographic (youth, schools, educators) through grants, materials, and programming.
• BundesForum Kinder- und Jugendreisen e.V. Federal forum for child and youth travel of which mehr als lernen is a recognized partner. Sets quality standards for youth travel programs and aggregates comparable providers operating in the same school-trip / residential-program category.
• Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung (BKJ): Federal association for cultural youth education in Germany, of which mehr als lernen's Landesvereinigung Kulturelle Jugendbildung Berlin is a member. BKJ operates with comparable federal funding streams and serves similar school and youth welfare audiences.

Direct peers

• Outward Bound Deutschland: Leading German provider of experiential education and class trips/social-skills programs for school classes. Operates with multi-day off-site programs and trained facilitator networks, directly competing for Berlin/Brandenburg school budgets alongside mehr als lernen's Klassengemeinschaft gestalten offerings.
• DGB-Jugendbildungsstätte Flecken Zechlin: DGB-affiliated youth education center with its own residential facility in Brandenburg, offering political and experiential education programs for youth. Long-standing cooperation partner of mehr als lernen; directly comparable in facility-based youth political education.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Demokratiepädagogik (DeGeDe): German Society for Democracy Education; mehr als lernen is an active member and partner. DeGeDe coordinates the broader democracy-education provider ecosystem, overlapping directly with mehr als lernen's Schule gestalten and SV programs.

Emerging players

• Education Y / Runder Tisch gute Bildung: Social-enterprise network and advocacy initiative co-founded with mehr als lernen to advance quality education policy in Berlin. Operates in adjacent education-policy space and overlaps on civic/democratic education topics.

Others

• Bundesverband Innovative Bildungsprogramme: Federal association of innovative education programs, on whose board mehr als lernen's founder Steffen Gentsch sits. Aggregates member organizations offering non-formal education including SEL, career orientation, and civic education — the same categories mehr als lernen operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mehr-als-lernen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about mehr als lernen