Shaping the Skill Agenda Together
Connecting the Soft Skill Dots in Chemnitz
Regional skill network linking makerspaces, training providers and research
Overview
What has been done
The local action tested how makerspaces can become visible as regional soft-skill providers. Makerspaces, maker initiatives and regional partners met at Lehngericht Augustusburg to reflect on their profile, roles, strengths, needs and informal learning practices. Together with ATB Chemnitz, they identified skills such as teamwork, responsibility, improvisation, peer learning, moderation, failure culture and conflict handling. The action also explored how these competencies can be structured, communicated and connected across the region. As a concrete follow-up, regular structured Maker Connect network meetings are planned.
Why was it needed locally
In the region, many makerspaces and maker initiatives already create strong soft-skill learning in practice, but this value is often not named, documented or recognised. At the same time, the places differ strongly in their structures, target groups, business models and communication, which makes cooperation and visibility difficult. The action addressed the need for a shared language, clearer profiles and stronger connections between maker spaces, training providers, research and support organisations. The aim was to tap the hidden potential of makerspaces as practical learning environments and build the basis for a more reliable regional skill network.
Target Groups: How were they activated and their benefits
Maker space – Makerspaces, open workshops, maker initiatives and related creative/technical learning places in the Chemnitz / South-West Saxony region; professional training and research partners such as ATB Chemnitz; regional skill providers; business support organisations; education and community actors interested in practical soft-skill development, cooperation and visibility of informal learning.
Activation: The target group was activated through personal invitations, existing maker networks and the clear relevance of the topic for everyday challenges such as visibility, funding, cooperation and professionalisation.
The format offered makerspaces, training partners and regional intermediaries a practical reason to join.
-
through personal invitations and the clear relevance to their everyday challenges
-
by framing makerspaces as practical soft-skill learning environments that are still under-recognised
-
through the network-building potential of the pilot
-
through the focus on informal learning, peer learning and accessible competence development.
Benefit: The target group benefited by making their informal soft-skill practices more visible and easier to communicate.
They gained clearer profiles, shared language and a stronger basis for cooperation, joint visibility and future support through the Maker Connect network.
-
Participants identified soft skills already practiced in maker work
-
Makerspaces reflected on their roles, target groups, strengths and needs
-
The action helped translate informal maker practices into clearer competence and training language
-
Participants connected with other makerspaces, a training actor and support organisation
-
The process created a basis for joint visibility, shared offers and follow-up meetings
Professional network – Research and Skill trainingspartner
Activation: Research and skill training partners were activated by framing makerspaces as real-life learning environments where informal soft-skill development can be observed, reflected and translated into practical training formats - creating a concrete cooperation opportunity around teamwork, communication, moderation, conflict handling and fail-culture.
-
by presenting makerspaces as real-life learning environments for informal soft-skill development
-
by showing makerspaces as potential cooperation fields for practical training formats
Benefit: They gained access to a real practice field where informal learning, soft-skill development and maker-based cooperation can be observed and better understood - discovered makerspaces as potential cooperation partners and practical training environments for topics such as teamwork, communication, moderation, conflict handling and failure culture.
-
gained access to a real practice field for observing informal learning and maker-based cooperation
-
discovered makerspaces as potential partners and practical training environments
-
gained a clearer picture of how makerspaces can support skills development and innovation
-
saw how maker spaces can support accessible learning, peer exchange and competence development
Resources Required
Staff
Facilitators with makerspace, network-building and soft-skill reflection competence; able to moderate peer exchange and translate maker practice
Space
Workshop and community space suitable for moderated reflection, peer exchange, network mapping and informal follow-up conversations.
Equipment
Moderation materials, flipcharts or whiteboards, sticky notes, skill cards / worksheets, projector if needed, documentation tools, hospitality setup
Budget
Small: below 2,000 €
Small budget around 2-3.000 €, including workshop facilitation / ATB Chemnitz guidance, plus lunch, dinner, basic hospitality and moderation
Methods & Steps
Core Mechanism
Formats applied
Workshop:
A moderated workshop bringing together makerspaces, maker initiatives, research and training partners to reflect on their role as practical soft-skill learning environments. The format focused on making informal competencies visible, clarifying profiles and identifying needs for future regional cooperation.
Methods used: Self-profiling: Participants had a walk outside to go for coffee and stopped at multiple stations to reflect on their own practice in duo-teams. They could reflect and gain feedback.Peer Reflection Circle: Makerspaces and partner organisations exchanged experiences, challenges and needs in a moderated setting. This supported honest comparison between different structures, roles and operating models.
Network Needs Mapping: Participants explored what a useful regional network should provide, such as visibility, shared resources, project cooperation, funding support and clearer communication. The method created a basis for the follow-up Maker Connect network meeting.
Network / platform:
Regional Network Development: A network-building process connecting makerspaces, maker initiatives, research and training partners around shared needs, visibility and cooperation. Participants were asked what kind of regional network would truly support them, and the results were used to plan a concrete follow-up meeting for Maker Connect.
Methods used: Needs-Based Network Design: Participants reflected on what a regional maker and soft-skill network should actually provide, such as shared visibility, project support, resources, funding access and honest exchange. This ensured that the network idea was built from real needs rather than from an abstract structure.Follow-Up Activation: After the first workshop, participants and further relevant organisations were contacted again with a summary of results and guiding questions. This helped keep momentum and prepared the next concrete network meeting.
Regional Actor Mapping: Existing makerspaces, open workshops, creative-technical learning places and relevant network actors were mapped as a starting group for Maker Connect. This made visible who is already active in the region and where future cooperation could begin.
Steps taken
Regional Actor Mapping
preperation phase 6 hours
- Identify maker actors: Mapped makerspaces, open workshops and maker-related organisations in the Chemnitz / South-West Saxony region.
- Include bridge partners: Added relevant research, training and network partners such as ATB Chemnitz and regional intermediaries.
Workshop Preparation
- Define reflection questions: Prepared questions on roles, target groups, needs, strengths and soft-skill practices.
- Invite participants personally: Activated makerspaces and partner organisations through direct outreach and existing networks
Soft Skill Reflection Workshop
3 hours
- Map existing skills: Participants identified skills already practiced in maker work, such as teamwork, improvisation and peer learning.
- Reflect own profiles: Organisations discussed their roles, audiences, operating models and communication challenges.
- Exchange needs: Participants shared what they need for professionalisation, visibility and cooperation.
Network Needs Evaluation
2 hours
- Send follow-up questions: Participants and further network actors were asked what a useful regional network should provide.
- Collect feedback: Responses were gathered on formats, priorities, support needs and existing network structures.
Follow-Up Network Planning
3 hours
- Define starting network: Around 12 makerspaces and related organisations were identified as first Maker Connect actors.
- Plan next meeting: A concrete follow-up network meeting was scheduled for 12 June in Chemnitz.
- Set cooperation direction: The network focus was shaped around shared visibility, project cooperation, resources and practical support.
Results
Measurable and Direct Outcomes
The local action brought about the following concrete results:
- New / enhanced cooperation: The action connected around 12 makerspaces and related organisations in the Chemnitz / South-West Saxony region as a first Maker Connect network group. It created a concrete basis for further cooperation through a follow-up meeting planned for 12 June in Chemnitz.
- Business models: Participants identified and named soft skills already practiced in maker environments, such as teamwork, responsibility, improvisation, peer learning, moderation and failure culture. This made informal learning more visible and easier to communicate to partners, funders and potential clients.
- Follow-up projects: The action led directly to the planning of a follow-up Maker Connect network meeting. This meeting will continue the process of defining shared needs, cooperation formats, visibility tools and possible joint project structures for the regional maker network.
Indirect Impacts
The action strengthened the view of makerspaces as practical soft-skill learning environments. It created shared language around skills, roles and needs across regional maker organisations. As enduring structures, the Maker Connect follow-up process and an ATB Chemnitz advisory trajectory were initiated to support further cooperation and professionalisation.
Local Outlook / Follow-up
- Continue Maker Connect network meetings: Maker e.V. and regional partners will continue the Maker Connect process with a follow-up meeting on 12 June in Chemnitz. The aim is to define concrete network functions such as shared visibility, resource sharing, cooperation formats and joint project development.
- Develop an advisory trajectory: The cooperation with a professional research and training partner will be continued as an advisory process for makerspaces and maker initiatives. It will support profile-building, clearer communication of soft-skill value and practical steps towards professionalisation.
- Create a regional maker profile and offer overview: A next step is to develop a structured overview of regional maker places, their target groups, strengths, offers and operating models. This should improve external visibility and help partners, funders, schools, SMEs and communities find the right contact point.
- Prepare joint projects and funding approaches: The network should become a basis for shared project ideas, applications and cooperation formats. Instead of only exchanging information, the goal is to build concrete support structures that help individual places do more with shared regional capacity.
Evaluation
Satisfaction - Overview
Participants were satisfied because the workshop addressed concrete shared needs such as visibility, cooperation and professionalisation. The exchange helped clarify roles, skills and possible support structures. Feedback showed interest in a practical, transparent and output-oriented network, leading to the Maker Connect follow-up and ATB advisory trajectory.
Satisfaction - Details
- Strong need for practical networking: Participants confirmed that a regional network is useful only if it creates concrete support, not just more meetings. Helpful functions mentioned included shared visibility, project cooperation, funding support, resource sharing and access to each other’s strengths.
- Clearer profiles and communication needed: Feedback showed that many maker places need to better define who they are, what they offer and which target groups they address. Participants saw this as a key step for stronger external communication and mutual support.
- Trust and transparency as key conditions: Participants stressed that cooperation requires trust, transparency and an open handling of responsibilities, project ideas and resources. This was seen as especially important because the network connects very different structures, from volunteer-based initiatives to professional providers.
Transfer Hints
- Start from real needs: Ask makerspaces and partners what they actually need before defining the network structure. This prevents creating another abstract meeting format and makes the network useful from the start.
- Make hidden skills visible: Use reflection methods to identify soft skills already practiced in maker environments. This helps makerspaces communicate their value more clearly to funders, partners, schools, SMEs and administrations.
- Include different operating models: Bring together volunteer-based initiatives, professional makerspaces, creative businesses, training providers and research partners. This diversity helps clarify roles, avoid misunderstandings and create stronger cooperation.
- Plan a concrete follow-up immediately: Do not let the first workshop stand alone. Set a next meeting, advisory trajectory or joint task so that motivation turns into ongoing cooperation.
- Focus on practical support: Design the network around concrete benefits such as shared visibility, funding support, project development, resource sharing and peer advice. This makes participation worthwhile, especially for small or volunteer-driven organisations.
- Adapt the network scope: The network can focus on one city, a wider region or a specific functional area. The core is to connect actors who share practical skill-development needs.
- Change the actor mix: Participants can include makerspaces, training providers, schools, universities, SMEs, administrations or community initiatives depending on the local ecosystem. What matters is that formal and informal skill providers meet.
- Use different reflection tools: The process can work with skill cards, interviews, surveys, peer workshops or mapping exercises. The important point is to make hidden competencies, needs and cooperation potential visible.
- Choose another follow-up format: The next step does not have to be a network meeting. It could also be an advisory programme, shared catalogue, online platform, joint project application or peer-learning circle.
- Adjust the level of professionalisation: Some regions may focus first on trust-building and exchange, others directly on offers, pricing or funding structures. Both approaches work as long as the network creates concrete value for participants.
- Do not create a network without clear value: Avoid setting up regular meetings just for the sake of networking. Participants need to see concrete benefits such as visibility, support, resources, funding access or joint projects.
- Do not ignore existing structures: Check which networks, associations and cooperation formats already exist before building something new. The aim should be to connect and strengthen what is already there, not to duplicate it.
- Do not treat all maker places as the same: Makerspaces, open workshops, creative businesses, community hubs and educational places can have very different goals and operating models. Recognising these differences helps avoid misunderstandings and supports better cooperation.
- Do not skip follow-up responsibilities: A workshop alone is not enough to build a network. Define next steps, responsible people and concrete tasks immediately, otherwise the momentum can easily disappear.
Participant Testimonials & Impressions
Impressions
Replicate This Application?
Access the complete implementation guide and connect with the team
Contact: Lianne van de Laar
Email: lianne@makers-united.de
Need more information?
Project manager:
Franziska Görmar
IfL - Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography, Germany
Email
This project is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.
Find more information about the x-Inno Radar project on the Interreg CE projectwebsite.
x-Inno Radar is a project of: 
Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria Gmbh, 
The Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region, 
Padova Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture, 
Creative Industry Košice, n. o., 
BSC, Business support centre, ltd., Kranj, 
Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biała, 
Stebo Competence Centre Community Developmentm, 
Association of Cultural and Creative Industries Chemnitz and Region (Creative Chemnitz), Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography – Germany, Otelo Cooperative