What do a refugee aid organisation, an independent school and a media agency have in common?

They all worked with us at SOCIUS as part of the INQA Coaching worked on their organisation - over 7 months, in small development loops and with a noticeable effect in everyday life.

The best first: the promotion

INQA Coaching is financed by 80% from ESF Plus and BMAS funds. In practice, this means that out of 12 days of coaching, approx. 10 days are free of charge for many organisations.

Especially when budgets are tight, this is a real lever: professional support without you having to „bend“ for it.

At SOCIUS, we are really well positioned for this: We have 5 certified INQA coaches (Hannah, Nicola, Cong, Christian and Joana) and accompany organisations through this process in a practical way - from the initial idea to anchoring.

Who is INQA Coaching for?

The programme is aimed at Small and medium-sized organisations, who want to actively shape their working environment - especially where Digitisation changed everyday life.

Typical subject areas are (according to INQA):

1. Work organisation
2. Personnel policy
3. Social relations & organisational culture
4. Leadership & career paths
5. Working hours & hybrid working
6. Innovation strategies & new business areas

In short: everything that is noticeable in everyday life - from decision-making channels and meeting culture to the tool landscape and leadership or collegial shared leadership in a hybrid setting 

How does INQA coaching work?

The programme is deliberately clear and iterative a clear process instead of endless counselling.

Typical process over 7 months:

• Start phase: Optional individual interviews, then joint kick-off
• Lab team: A small group (the „lab team“) develops in short sprints Concrete approaches and ideas for change
• Steering group: In three development phases the results are presented, reflected upon and a decision is made on what to do next
• Coaching modules: If required, the Individual coaching integrate
• Conclusion: Evaluation, transfer and Anchoring in everyday life

What we particularly like about it: It's not just about the „concept“, but about the Trying out, learning, sharpening - with structure, but without heaviness.

Conditions for participation

Common requirements include

• < 250 employees
• at least 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) subject to social security contributions at the time of the initial consultation and the start of coaching
• Legally independent, since at least 3 years

(The details may vary depending on the case - a quick check is worthwhile).

How do you get started?

First step: Contact a INQA Advice Centre (IBS) in your federal state.
The IBS is usually worth its weight in gold - it helps with Application process and later also at the Billing.

Examples Berlin:

• Work and Life Berlin:
  https://www.berlin.arbeitundleben.de/betriebliche-bildung/inqa-beratungsstelle-berlin/
• Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (f-bb):
  https://www.f-bb.de/unsere-arbeit/projekte/inqa-beratungsstelle-berlin/

More information about the programme: www.inqa.de

Our experiences at SOCIUS (from practice)

• We have so far 14 Organisations financed by INQA; more have been launched or are in preparation.
• These included. Free schools, Social organisations (care/youth welfare), a Youth exchange organisation, a Photo/media agency.
• Example topics from coaching sessions:
  • use digital tools to Sociocratic structures to strengthen
  • Leadership culture Further develop in hybrid teams (few shared office hours)
  • Communication & work organisation via Decentralised locations improve - without losing personal contact

Our conclusion: The rapid development and testing loops often generate a very constructive energy. And it is not uncommon for us to experience how lab team members noticeably Self-efficacy because change is suddenly no longer abstract, but feasible.

Now is a good time

The programme can (as of today) still be until the end of 2027 be used. If you think „that could fit“, then let's have a quick chat.

Curious about INQA Coaching? Get in touch with us - we will briefly check whether you are eligible for funding, how you can use the programme for your topics and help you get started.