Our Mission

Many people do not receive social benefits even though they are eligible to do so. A key reason for this are language and administrative barriers in the application process. The Simplify! project addresses this issue directly: We identify language and administrative barriers in the application process, develop practical solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness through empirical research.

1. Understanding barriers
We analyze forms, websites, and brochures, as well as specific counseling and application processes. In addition, we conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups with relevant stakeholders, such as those affected and staff members. This allows us to identify language and administrative barrier that make it difficult to access social benefits.

2. Reducing barriers
Based on these analyses, we develop revised and more understandable information and application materials in collaboration with our partner institutions. Our focus is on reducing language complexity as well as simplifying process navigation.

3. Evaluating impact
The revised materials are used in everyday practice, and their impact is systematically examined. Using field interventions, we analyze whether comprehensibility, decision-making behavior, and actual utilization of social benefits improve.

The results of our evaluation serve as a basis for our partner institutions to decide whether the revised materials should continue to be used in everyday practice. We also generate new evidence on whether and how simplified documents and administrative processes can improve access to social benefits.