By Julia Nowecki, Head of Violence Prevention Network Academy
1. About the Academy
The Violence Prevention Network Academy (VPN Academy) builds on over 25 years of experience from the Violence Prevention Network gGmbH – a leading NGO in the field of conflict transformation, violence prevention and radicalisation disengagement. We bring together practical expertise and academic research to deliver high-impact training, innovative tools and tailored consultancy.
Our mission is rooted in the belief that every individual has the potential for positive change – and that building a non-violent society is a collective responsibility. Through capacity-building, we empower professionals, institutions and organisations to face complex social challenges with confidence and clarity.
At the VPN Academy, we support those working in education, social work, health, law enforcement, business and beyond. Whether through on-site or online training, consulting, or e-learning – our formats are accessible, flexible, and designed to have a lasting impact.
What makes us different? We don’t offer generic “off-the-shelf” solutions. Instead, we engage with the realities of our customers and co-develop practical approaches that are grounded in human rights, anti-discrimination principles, and critical reflection.
2. What We Offer: Key Topics and Focus Areas
Social Diagnostics and Consulting in P/CVE (Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism)
Why critical prevention matters:
Radicalisation doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s shaped by structural inequality, social exclusion and individual experiences. That’s why effective prevention must go beyond security-focused narratives and address the root causes.
Our training and consulting in the field of P/CVE equips professionals with the skills to:
- Recognise early warning signs of radicalisation
- Understand and work with the individual’s social context
- Build supportive, non-stigmatising relationships
We offer:
- Training courses on radicalisation prevention, disengagement, and counselling
- Peer case consultations and professional supervision
- Case management support using our unique GRIDD PRO Social Diagnostics tool
GRIDD PRO is an innovative, field-tested tool designed to support structured, transparent and resource-oriented casework. It enables:
- Holistic analysis of individual cases (biography, needs, social context, risk/protection factors)
- Tailored intervention planning
- Systematic documentation and impact monitoring
- Effective collaboration in multi-professional settings
Built for real-world use, GRIDD PRO includes a user-friendly app (currently in testing phase for internal use at Violence Prevention Network and published for external use in 2026), templates, practical guides and accompanying training sessions.
De-escalation and Personal Safety
Why it matters:
From youth work to public transport, from schools to social services – professionals across sectors face situations where tensions can escalate. Knowing how to de-escalate conflict safely is not only vital for protection, but also for fostering respectful, inclusive and healthy environments.
Our training programmes support individuals and teams to:
- Anticipate conflict and reduce risk
- Intervene safely in acute situations
- Reflect on their own role and response patterns
- Develop a sustainable, professional presence under pressure
Training content is always adapted to the realities of participants’ work, including their specific stressors, power dynamics, and institutional challenges. We also emphasise intersectional and anti-discriminatory perspectives to ensure relevance across diverse social contexts.
Our services include:
- Conflict management and personal safety workshops
- Trainings on dealing with discriminatory, far right and populist attitudes
- Ongoing consulting for team processes and institutional development
- E-learning and digital materials to complement in-person sessions
3. Learning Formats: Training, Consulting and E-Learning
Tailored, Practical, Reflective
At VPN Academy, we believe that learning should be meaningful and empowering. That’s why all our formats – whether in-person, online or self-paced – are designed to connect with participants’ real-life experiences, support reflection, and build practical skills.
Our formats include:
- In-person and online trainings: Interactive, scenario-based, and tailored to your professional environment
- Consulting and coaching: From team development to strategy workshops
- E-learning and microlearning modules: For flexible, independent learning
Example: E-Learning on Conflict Management in Disengagement Work
In our e-learning for professionals in disengagement counselling, participants explore how to respond to emotionally charged and potentially dangerous situations with confidence and reflection. Topics include:
- The mechanisms of escalation and how to defuse it
- Professional presence and self-awareness
- Intervention strategies through real-life case examples
- Self-protection as a key skill in everyday practice
Our growing e-learning library also includes modules on biography work, intervention planning, and anti-discrimination methods – all designed to deepen professional competencies in a flexible format.
Get in Touch
Whether you are a professional seeking skills, a team in need of support, or an organisation aiming for systemic change – we’re here to help. Explore our offers, get inspired by our work, and contact us for a personalised consultation: info@vpn-academy.com
We look forward to hearing from you.
INTERVENTIONEN 