Berlin-based online radio station Refuge Worldwide has launched a fundraising campaign to help it continue broadcasting amid rising costs.
Announcing the fundraiser via an Instagram post, the team at Refuge Worldwide said: “While considering our options and the current climate in Germany, we have decided that we have little choice but to launch a crowdfunder in order to support the station’s projects and stay on air.”
In addition to broadcasting radio shows from a diverse cast of DJs, musicians and various other figures, Refuge Worldwide also facilitates various workshops and teaching programmes to support people across various walks of life. To reduce costs, it’s moving from its current headquarters to a new, smaller and cheaper space in Berlin, but it still needs further financial support to continue beyond that.
“Rents are rising, costs increasing, and the political climate has become hostile towards independent spaces, grassroots culture and organisations that platform marginalised voices,” the Instagram post shared by Refuge Worldwide said. “Public funding that once supported the arts is being redirected or reduced. Many of our peers are facing closure, and it is harder and harder to operate within Germany.”
The post continued: “With shrinking resources, we’ve struggled to keep the station afloat in the late 12 months, reduced opening hours and unfortunately also made staff cuts. While we have kept busy with many amazing projects, the funds mostly just cover the projects themselves, and do not stretch to our overheads.”
Find out more about Refuge Worldwide, and support the fundraising campaign, here.
