Syrian refugee builds a repair café in Bremen to fight waste and teach skills
Karem Hasan fled Syria in 2018 and now runs a free repair café in Bremen. Located behind the Heilig-Geist-Kirche in the Neue-Vahr district, the workshop helps locals fix broken devices instead of throwing them away. Hasan launched the project in 2019, just eight months after arriving in Germany. Hasan arrived in Bremen with his family after escaping the war in Syria. Since then, he has built a new life, gaining German citizenship in 2024. He has no plans to return to Syria, citing the lack of basic infrastructure and services.
The repair café operates every Saturday morning and on weekday evenings after Hasan finishes his full-time job. He fixes devices for free, and if spare parts are needed, customers either bring their own or receive help ordering them. His goal is to reduce waste and teach others how to maintain their belongings.
Hasan also dreams of expanding into a larger space where he can train more people in repair skills. His work aligns with his environmental values, and he encourages others to take part. In December 2024, he joined the SPD (Social Democratic Party), further engaging in community and political life.
From July, new 'right to repair' laws will support his efforts by requiring manufacturers to design products that are easier to fix. This change should make spare parts more accessible and repairs more straightforward. Hasan’s repair café has grown from a small initiative into a community resource. With upcoming legislation improving repair access, his work will likely reach even more people. The project continues to promote sustainability while helping locals save money and learn new skills.
