Die gute Policey des Hauptstadtmilieus: Rezension zu "Bürokratopia: Wie Verwaltung die Demokratie retten kann" von Julia Borggräfe

Julia Borggräfe: Bürokratopia: Wie Verwaltung die Demokratie retten kann. Berlin: Verlag Klaus Wagenbach 2025. 978-3-8031-3756-

Impact Evaluation of Community Sport Programmes and "Sport Social Work Practices"

Initiatives that employ sport as a means to achieve social objectives span a broad spectrum -from those primarily centred on sporting activities to those closely aligned with principles of social work. This thematic issue, titled "Impact Evaluation of Community Sport Programmes and 'Sport Social Work Practices,'" reflects this diversity in both terminology and approach. It brings together twelve original contributions that critically examine the design, implementation, and evaluation of such initiatives. Drawing on case studies, literature reviews, and conceptual analyses from a range of global contexts, the issue offers a multifaceted perspective on the role of sport as a catalyst for social change. Particular attention is given to how the impacts of these initiatives can be more effectively understood, assessed, and sustained. The wide range of research questions, programme types, methodological approaches, and target populations underscores the complexity and scope of this interdisciplinary field. Collectively, the contributions demonstrate the potential of sport to serve as a meaningful vehicle for personal and social development, particularly when initiatives or interventions are locally embedded, relationally oriented, and grounded in the lived experiences of participants

The Land of Fire: Unnatural Disaster and Local Power in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

In Indonesia, severe fires have been spreading for the past decades with catastrophic consequences for the environment, local people, and the global climate. The deforestation of rainforests and draining of peat swamps facilitates the spread of fires caused by arson and contributes to flooding and droughts. Due to the social, political, and economic context of the disasters, one can speak of unnatural disasters. In this article´s case study of Central Kalimantan in Indonesia, the nephews of one of the most influential palm oil tycoons are the current provincial governor and the other the provincial representative in Jakarta. This study analyzes the rise of the tycoon in the context of globalization, democratization, and decentralization in Indonesia. Most proposed solutions to contain the fires in Central Kalimantan do not consider this entanglement of palm oil plantation owners and politics or the political component of unnatural disasters, often blaming smallholders for the fires instead

Carbon pricing and the affordability of residential heating: A theoretical model with endogenous technology choice

This paper analyses the impact of carbon pricing on residential heating affordability using a theoretical household model with endogenous choice of a renewable heating technology. We compare two compensation policies: a renewable heating subsidy and a lump-sum transfer. The subsidy is the most effective policy to reduce the household’s burden if the renewable heating technology is the optimal choice with carbon pricing alone. Otherwise, the relative effectiveness of the compensation policies depends on whether they shift the household's choice towards renewable heating. Overall, our study emphasizes the need of considering technological adjustment when analyzing how carbon pricing affects heating affordability

EPSILON - Data Science for Social Good (DSSG) - Lecture Notes

The EPSILON project - European Platform for Social Data Science Incubation, Learning, Operation and Network - aims to bridge the gap between data science and social good by fostering impactful, research-driven initiatives. Co-funded by the European Union, EPSILON provides open educational resources and best practices for leveraging data science methodologies in addressing societal challenges. This document synthesizes OER learning materials created by the EPSILON project team, structured across six modules, covering fundamental concepts in data science, ethical considerations, comparative analyses of "Data for Good" initiatives, and real-world case studies. Topics range from big data processing workflows and data science project life cycle management to best practices in data science volunteer management and data science applications in social sectors. The materials highlight the growing real-world impact of volunteer-driven, nonprofit data initiatives, with an emphasis on the importance of ethical responsibility, sustainable project design, and scientific collaboration. EPSILON was co-funded by the European Union (2021-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000029711). All views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or DAAD. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them

Applying User-Centred Design to Enhance Career Pathways for Young Indian Lawn Tennis Players: Developing the LTCD Platform to Connect Players with Sponsors

This master’s thesis by Juveria Fatima explores how a user-centred design approach and Design management tools can be used to create better opportunities for young Indian tennis players. India has produced many talented tennis players; however, many athletes from underdeveloped areas face severe challenges, not due to a lack of skill, but because of limited coaching, facilities, financial aid, and support (The Economic Times, 2017; The Bridge, 2020). Despite the growing global interest in tennis, only a small fraction of people from rural India can reach a professional level (Special Area Games Scheme, 2024; Times of India, 2021). The research uses the User-Centred Design (UCD) approach and the Double Diamond framework (Design Council, 2019) to understand these challenges through secondary data and case studies. Findings show that players face numerous issues, including inadequate coaching, insufficient medical and nutritional support, societal gender expectations, and a lack of backing from both their families and governmental authorities (Himal Southasian, 2024). These hurdles often lead young athletes, especially those from low socio-economic backgrounds, to give up tennis early. To address these issues, the project introduces a digital platform called Lawn Tennis Career Development (LTCD), which connects top-performing players with companies, sponsors, mentors, and training programs. This community-oriented solution would give players access to coaching, mental health support, financial assistance, career guidance, and more, and also shows how intentional and inclusive design can be used to create new opportunities for young athletes, both in India and in under-resourced countries worldwide

Who Deserves Support During Wartime? Reactions of Ukrainian Internally Displaced Persons to Benefit Cuts

This article explores the responses of Ukrainian internally displaced persons (IDPs) to recent cuts in the living allowance program introduced during the ongoing war. Drawing on original survey data collected in late 2024, it examines whether IDPs support the restriction of their welfare benefits and studies the extent to which IDPs' attitudes can be explained with self-interest and deservingness perceptions. In contrast with the expectation that welfare recipients would oppose retrenchment, the majority of surveyed IDPs endorsed limiting assistance to low-income and vulnerable groups and excluding able-bodied unemployed individuals from benefits. These findings highlight the role that perceptions of deservingness play in shaping welfare preferences among directly affected populations. This case contributes to broader study of wartime society by highlighting the perspectives of one of the groups most deeply impacted by the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine

Challenges of Post-Penal Care in Serbia: Access to Education for Former Offenders

This paper examines access to education for former offenders as a crucial prerequisite for securing employment and improving their prospects for successful reintegration into society. In addition to analyzing the existing legal and institutional frameworks, the study assesses their practical effectiveness. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a literature review, legal analysis of relevant legislation, statistical examination of data on educational programs, as well as interviews and focus groups with professionals working with former offenders. The main findings indicate that educational and vocational training opportunities for this group remain significantly underdeveloped, with few structured programs designed to equip them with the necessary skills for the labor market. Insufficient financial resources, a lack of interinstitutional coordination, a shortage of specialized personnel, and limited involvement from civil society organizations compound these limitations

Unraveling a political technology: free, prior, and informed consent in peruvian oil and mining sectors

The worldwide dissemination of the right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) has fostered discussions about its significance for removing the social exclusion of indigenous peoples. Most studies address problems in the regulation and implementation of FPIC, but less attention is paid to how the strengths and weaknesses of indigenous organizations and their different political engagements influence FPIC processes and outcomes. Based on the analysis of consultation agreements in the mining and oil sectors in Peru (2011-2022) and the evaluation of two case studies, this article explains how FPIC might be a tool for indigenous politics and state governance

Sharing Responsibilities for Children After Separation: A European Perspective

Policy frameworks in some countries encourage both parents to share responsibility for children after separation, but we know little about whether responsibility for major decision-making or day-to-day living arrangements (placement) are assigned to one parent or shared between them. In this paper we use recently-released data (European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions, EU-SILC) to document the extent to which children in 20 countries have responsibilities shared between the parents, assigned to only one, or a mixture. Using an index that combines decision-making and placement, we find substantial differences across countries, confirming research showing great variation in living arrangements and adding variation in decision-making. We explore potential reasons for different levels of shared responsibility across countries. Using simple bivariate statistics, we find higher levels of sharing when the legal context acknowledged sharing longer ago, and when there are higher levels of gender equality, educational attainment, and parental separation