On 7 February 2008, the Federal Association of Workshop Councils (Bundesvereinigung der Werkstatträte, BVWR) was founded in Berlin. The founding members are the already existing regional federations of workshop councils in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland and Lower Saxony. This new organisation was founded, because the former federal organisation of workshop councils as disbanded in October 2007. The BVWR will also be seated in Berlin.

During the meeting in Berlin, a charter for the new organisation has been developed and adopted. According to the charter, the BVWR represents the interests of workshop employees and workshop councils as well as those of the regional federations of workshop councils at the national level. Providing support and guidance is also part of its mission. Above all, the BVWR wants to improve the working and living conditions of persons with disabilities. To this end, it is one of the main goals of the BVWR, to foster foundations of regional federations of workshop councils in all federal states.

BAG WfbM is looking forward to a constructive collaboration with the BVWR. The first common projects will take place during the workshop fair „Werkstätten:Messe 2008” in Nuremberg. There, BVWR will be present with a booth of its own. In addition, BVWR organises a panel discussion themed „Our rights – Our Duties. What We Have and What We Want”. This discussion is an opportunity for workshop councils, workshop managers and all interested persons to know the BVWR, its board and its basic orientation. There is also the possibility for workshop councils two visit two workshops on vocational training. More than 150 persons have already registered for those workshops.