Project summary

Funding for our 2025 operational budget to maintain and manage Teamwork - a professional EA co-working space in Berlin, Germany. Providing around 22 desks, 2 meeting rooms (one of them can also be used as social events space), 4 phone booths, and a community kitchen. With this funding, we would be able to continue to provide the space for free to the EA professional to work and for hosting events. More about Teamwork can be found here:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/SqZgzKdYrmgKqLyYA/an-invitation-to-the-berlin-ea-co-working-space-teamwork

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

Offer a co-working space and community hub for a thriving EA professional community in Germany as well as for international visitors. We would offer:

• a highly productive work environment (the space was renovated in 2023 mainly to improve acoustics and soundproofing) for EA professionals living in Berlin

• a place for networking within the EA community through events, during our joint community lunch, over coffee breaks etc.

• a "go-to" place / office for EAs visiting Berlin (and there have been many in the last 12 months, e.g. from AIM, CEA, EA Germany, Founders Pledge, FWI, Open Philanthropy, Rethink Priorities, Training for Good - just to name a few) and we are super excited about this)

• a professional setting for productive team meetings and client workshops as well as for EA (adjacent) meet-ups 

All this is managed by an office manager (0.5 FTE) to ensure a clean and professional space, seamless desk booking and member approval.

How will this funding be used?

Mainly, to cover part of the rent beyond the space that we as Effektiv Spenden are using, the office manager, and our weekly expenses to keep the space clean and provide free coffee / tea / snacks.

Compared to other office spaces, the current location is particularly cheap compared to other EA co-working spaces and also in Berlin. We have just extended the lease until 2027.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

Sebastian Schwiecker, the co-founder of Effektiv Spenden, started Teamwork in 2021 with the idea to provide a space for the professional EA community and allow for networking / productive co-working / valuable feedback. More here:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/NnrHvJALEKH4Ykzyt/introducing-teamwork-an-ea-coworking-space-in-berlin

Johanna Schröder, our office manager, doing a very professional job since she started in the beginning of 2023.

We have been running the space since 2021, renovated it in 2023 based on members’ feedback, and are currently seeing a rising number of members, guests, and teams booking the space. Policies and processes have been professionalized since we have a dedicated office manager.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

We will need to cover the costs out of our operational budget as Effektiv Spenden. Or, charge rent again which would come with additional administrative effort (sub-tenant agreements etc.) and would add 19% VAT.

What other funding are you or your project getting?

We consider applying to the EA Infrastructure Fund, cover the annual budget out of our operational budget, or charge rent again.