Code of Conduct
As of May 1, 2025
Libken is a residency and meeting place in Brandenburg, created as an open space for people from different backgrounds. It is a place where people come together to work, live, and exchange ideas. This Code of Conduct outlines the values, expectations, and a few essential rules to ensure a respectful and pleasant environment for everyone at Libken.
The Place and Its Context
Libken sees itself as a space for exchange and creative work, where people from diverse life realities and worldviews come together. This openness is important to us, but it also comes with challenges—especially in a region like Brandenburg, where political tensions exist. Our goal is to maintain Libken as a place of encounter and engagement—not as a secluded space, but as one where diverse perspectives meet and where people interact with respect and goodwill. You can read more about what this means under the section “Boundaries.”
People Using or Present at Libken
Libken is run by a small team responsible for the residency program and infrastructure. In addition, a few individuals live here permanently in one of the three building entrances, organized in a household group that operates independently of the residency. They go about their daily lives in Libken and, alongside the shared areas, use some marked private spaces on the premises.
We have friendly relationships with some people in the village and rely on the work of local craftspeople. They can occasionally be found on-site as well.
Our residency program offers guests the opportunity to live and work at Libken for varying periods of time.
These different groups bring with them a range of perspectives and needs.
We do not conduct background checks on people who wish to stay here. We do not know what you do for a living, how you live, or your political views. The one requirement for coming to Libken is that you read and agree to this Code of Conduct.
Libken hosts seminars, concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, pub nights, and much more. Some of these events are organized and supervised by the Libken team, others by external individuals and organizers. Some are closely curated; others are self-organized. All hosts and responsible individuals involved are familiar with this Code of Conduct and our Awareness Concept and know what to do if necessary. For larger events, an awareness team and a corresponding concept will be in place.
The People Running Libken
As operators, we constantly navigate the tensions between accessibility and responsibility, and between collective decision-making and individual accountability. Conflicts arising from power dynamics, privilege, or entrenched patterns are part of a project like this. We reflect on these dynamics and are open to respectful critique that helps us grow.
Our team consists of friends and people who met through the Libken project. Some have been part of it from the beginning, while others have joined more recently.
Libken is a non-profit space. Revenue from guest stays covers operational costs and modest fees. Since much of Libken is run on a voluntary basis, we rely on everyone’s sense of personal responsibility to keep things running smoothly and maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
Interaction and Respect
Libken thrives through the active participation and shared responsibility of everyone involved. This includes using communal spaces and infrastructure considerately, and engaging respectfully with one another. Mindful use of resources and the environment is also essential. Please read the guest information (PDFs sent upon booking) carefully before your stay and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
In case of conflicts that cannot be resolved among yourselves, there is always someone available for guest care who can help or refer you to support if needed. The guest care person acts according to our Awareness Concept, which can be found on our website. At large events, contact details for the awareness team will be publicly available.
Boundaries
Respect for your own boundaries and those of others is essential to us. What is okay for you might be a boundary violation for someone else. We do not tolerate any behavior that contradicts the core values of respect and togetherness. This includes physical violence, intentional sexism or racism, threats, and other forms of discrimination, as well as excessive drug or alcohol use that makes others feel unsafe. Such behavior clearly crosses a line and may result in being excluded from a situation—or from staying at Libken altogether.
To ensure a pleasant stay for everyone, we also ask you to observe the following rules:
- Please use our compost toilet instead of bushes, garden beds, trees, or house walls.
- In the central courtyard, which is visible from all sides, please wear a shirt or do not appear with a bare torso.
- Please follow the leash requirement for the house and the entire grounds. Not everyone feels comfortable—or safe—around dogs.
- The house is acoustically sensitive, and many people use the space for focused work, including in the evenings. Be mindful of noise levels in the apartments, the shared kitchen, and the courtyard.
- After 10 p.m., please keep windows and doors facing the street closed in the communal kitchen, as sleeping areas for all residents and guests are nearby.
Thank you for your understanding!
Mistakes Are Human
We strive to address discriminatory behavior or language in a constructive way. If you are confronted with criticism, we ask that you receive it openly and respectfully.
At Libken, we want to foster a culture of openness, respectful interaction, and goodwill. We aim to create a space for personal growth and exchange where we learn from each other and encounter different perspectives. When offering criticism, it’s important to understand the structures in which others' knowledge was formed and to think about how to engage meaningfully with it.
We are open to constructive criticism and take the time to listen carefully. We do not see social media debates or the rapid canceling of individuals or institutions as effective ways of dealing with conflict or political disagreement. We believe that people grow through respectful dialogue and critical reflection. Active listening and respectful conversation are essential for building an inclusive society that values diverse perspectives.
Let’s create a space together where understanding and growth are encouraged!
We look forward to a great and meaningful time together at Libken.