Serin grabs felt-tip pens and draws an Opel Blitz emblem. Opelo, the black and yellow mascot greets visitors at the door, and a picture of the Opel Corsa GSE Gran Turismo hangs on the wall. The ‘Bildungszentrum Berliner Viertel’ in Rüsselsheim am Main, sponsored by Stellantis, is open, as it is every working day. At the tables, young people learn, calculate, do handicrafts – and yet it’s about more than homework. In the background is a concept is larger than this room. „Opening doors for a successful future for children and young people is the prerequisite for a functioning society,“ says Ralph Wangemann, Managing Director Human Resources and Labour Director at Opel and Stellantis Germany Head of Human. „Access to education and training is the key to this.“

Together with the city and the social enterprise SPV, a place that opens up opportunities has been created in the community – directly in the district, close to everyday life. This is made possible by the global ‘Stellantis Philanthropy’ programme, which specifically strengthens education, equal opportunities and community at company locations – for example with STEM workshops for students, talent promotion and programmes in which employees are actively involved in social projects.

„Networking and connecting“ is what neighbourhood manager Arbresha Mustafa calls the principle. Many cultures and generations meet in the Berlin district – and the need is great. With the support of Stellantis, an education centre has been created that bundles learning, support and perspectives.

Around 80 children and young people come every week. Twelve instructors design the offers, which specifically promote language, motor functions and cognitive skills. In addition to classic tutoring in German and mathematics, these include courses such as ‘Media Professionals’, in which children learn how to use tablets, Office programs and digital content, as well as the ‘Creative Workshop’ with handicrafts and group games.

Depending on the offer, children from the age of four up to seventh grade can participate. Demand is high, many courses are already fully booked, and places are often only available via waiting lists. Serin and her sister Jihane visit the ‘Math Professionals’. „My grades used to be really bad. Now I am doing much better,“ says ten-year-old Jihane proudly.

One of the instructors is Faiqah Awan, 18 years old, a law student who grew up in the neighbourhood. She gives math tutoring and teaches media literacy. For her, the centre is more than a place of learning. „The neighbourhood is colourful and lively. The solidarity is huge.“ She calls Stellantis‘ commitment a blessing.

Even in the city, people know how important such places are. Mayor Murat Karakaya grew up here and emphasises that the offer starts exactly where support is needed – in the heart of the district. With SPV, the education centre has a partner who has been rooted in the neighbourhood for years. „We are creating a place of encounter, a place to learn and create,“ says SPV Managing Director Elisabeth Israel.

And the commitment of Opel/Stellantis is to continue. Saskia Harms, responsible for diversity and integration in the company, speaks of a beginning. Employees could get involved as mentors in the future, projects with Opel trainees are planned, and they will already be at the barbecue at the neighbourhood festival in May. „The project should grow,“ she says, while it slowly becomes quieter in the room. The tasks have been solved, the pens are at a standstill. Serin raises her sheet of paper. The Opel Blitz emblem is finished – with confident, bold strokes. A good sign.