abstract
StreetUniverCity® Berlin (SUB) e.V. is a non-governmental educational association (private cooperating with public) focusing on a social, physical, cultural and art education programme for socially disadvantaged youth and young adults.

Our main aims are to help young people from deprived areas to increase their self-esteem by showing them that they CAN achieve something, to develop a certain status and dignity based on the skills, capabilities and knowledge not on physical strength or age. Finally to help them take their lives into their hands and make them able to choose and start a professional career. The association was founded by Giò Di Sera, Erhan Emre and Martin Kesting in Berlin Kreuzberg 2006 and is led by President Gio Di Sera and Executive Director Philip Marcel.

Overall objectives:
The StreetUniverCity® Berlin does not accept that the social and creative potential of at risk youth (migrants and non-migrants) is scarcely used or developed. From our point of view, this situation is degrading both for the young people and for society.

We believe that our society needs these young people to fulfill their potential and therefore, they must be challenged and supported. SUB is neither a school, a university or professional training, rather an informal extracurricular teaching and learning programme. Our work is based on co-operation with mentors and role models that come from the young people’s social and cultural backgrounds. SUB believes that the lack of identification with society is caused by the absence of future perspectives and young people’s lack of hope. The young people are actively involved in developing educational content and organising projects. We are a democratic, secular organisation, not affiliated to any political party. Our work is based on the Declaration of Human Rights by the UN. These Rights are universal and can never be negotiable. StreetUniverCity® Berlin fights against all forms of exclusion, racism, political or religious extremism and anti-semitism. One of our main objectives is the promotion of equality between women and men and providing further information on this aspect.

Structure of the organization:
non-profit organization (e.V.) based in a youth culture centre in Berlin-Kreuzberg. SUB is a non-governmental educational organisation focusing on a social, physical, cultural and art education programms for young people from deprived areas.

Most important activities:
We focus on the universal development of individual creativity. Our main aims are to help young people from socially disadvantaged areas choose and start a professional career, to increase their self-esteem by showing them that they CAN achieve something, to develop a certain status and dignity based on the skills, capabilities and knowledge not on physical strength or age, finally to help them take their lives into their hands. Once all qualifications have been fulfilled students will receive a degree entitled „StreetMaster".There is a certain number of compulsory and optional courses and workshops. Global Streetculture is given a new value by being integrated in our schedule, such as streetart, hiphop culture & underground youthscenes.

_The "Master of StreetUniverCity" is awarded to the candidates who complete all compulsory courses. This degree, certified by the State of Berlin and famous personalities, informs and proves the future employer of the creative and social potential of the applicant.

_SUB Students are trained to pass on what they have learned; motivated “alumni” will return and support members in this way, a continual training programme will be ensured. A non-profit association was established and a non-profit foundation should be founded in the future.

StreetUniverCity® is also a label for streetculture.

We are proud to have HipHop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa (Zulu Nation/NY), Joy Denalane(Berlin)/“German Soulqueen“,Cem Özdemir (Berlin)/politician, Benno Fürmann/movie actor, Sibel Kekilli/movie actress, HipHop group Culcha Candela (Berlin) and other well known local and international role models as SUBporters. They represent and support the spirit and progress for what StreetUniverCity stands for.

SUB has an internationally oriented network involving various partners from different urban art & media scenes in Berlin, Europe and the US.

Working methods:
Module and credit system: the young people make their own schedule and collect credits. There is a certain number of compulsory and optional courses (mostly projects). The “MASTER OF STREETUNIVERCITY“ will be awarded to the candidates who complete all compulsory courses. An exam can be taken in form of a public performance/presentation/exhibition and/or a cultural production. Examples of the student’s work could be enclosed with the certificate. Other certificates will be awarded for students who only finish parts of the programme. We count on the active support of mentors and (prominent) role models, "respect-persons" (SUBporters), from the cultural backgrounds of the young people. Work placements/internships represent an important part of the programme. They could be possibly organised in the form of voluntary work which would be certified by the State of Berlin. Attendance for the young people who still attend school will be voluntary.

_bases its programme on the characteristics and needs of the area while developing a global approach
_combines cultural, social and international youth work with a vocational training programme provides extracurricular education and training as part of lifelong learning uses English and German as working languages
_there are no special entry requirements
_is based on co-operation with mentors and role models that come from the young people’s social and cultural background
_We also are regularly promoting and producing music and cultural events (HipHop JAMS a.o.). Professional musicians are supporting our project. They are also important role-models for the Youth, cause they have proved to suceeded in public, presenting themselves

Partners & Finances:
StreetUniverCity Berlin e.V. is supported since 2007 by different institutions, associations, activists & friends: Bezirksamt Friedrichshain Kreuzberg, Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung, Hauptstadtkulturfonds, Daimler Financial Services, ads krone, Lacoste, Rotary Berlin Alexanderplatz, Bundesdruckerei.
In cooperation with:
Jugend-und Kulturzentrum Naunynritze, Hoftheater Naunynritze Streetart exihibition „Backjumps“/Kunstraum Kreuzberg Bethanien, Ballhaus Naunynstraße, play!yas, Streetfootballworld, joinarts, Diseramedia (Initiative), Flying Steps Dance Academy, Beat Box Academy a.o.