Chaospott

Chaospott is the local Erfa-Kreis (Erfahrungsaustauschkreis, or experience-exchange circle) of the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) in Essen, Germany. It describes itself as a group of 'intergalactic beings' who share an interest in the creative use of technology and enjoy making things. Since 2009 the group has engaged with technology and society, covering not only hardware and software but also data protection, net politics and their social implications. Its hackerspace includes an electronics workshop, a fablab with 3D printers, a wood workshop, a large lounge and a kitchen, as well as places to work with concentration. The group's topics and projects range from software and hardware themes to privacy and net politics, and to anything else that happens to be interesting. Social togetherness is also important: game evenings, cooking together and simply talking shop are part of the culture. Chaospott is open to non-members, professionals and those who want to become professionals. Through the project 'Chaos macht Schule' members visit schools and give workshops and talks on the internet, data protection, copyright and more. At Cryptoparties the focus is on the practical application of encryption and computer security, and in public events the group teaches beginners about secure communication and data security. Projects that have emerged from the space include the LED ceiling, which not only lights the lounge but also functions as a screen, and DocPatch, an open-data project that visualises all changes to the German Grundgesetz (Basic Law). The group maintains a wiki and a calendar of events. It meets mainly on Wednesdays from 19:00 in its club rooms and on Sundays from 16:00 on its Mumble server. In 2026 the group is marking 16 years of Chaospott with a HOP event inviting the regional community to celebrate its birthday together, and it continues its Repaircafé, offering a way to repair various devices and damaged items using the tools in its rooms. As a CCC Erfa-Kreis, Chaospott is part of the wider Chaos Computer Club network, the largest European association of hackers. Wikidata describes it as a hackspace and CCC subsidiary in Essen, Germany. The group is a community organisation rather than a commercial company, but it operates under the Chaospott name and maintains a public-facing identity, website and club rooms.

Chaospott is the Erfa-Kreis (Erfahrungsaustauschkreis, or experience-exchange circle) of the Chaos Computer Club in Essen, Germany. According to its own 'About us' page, the group has been dealing with technology and society since 2009. It describes itself as a group of 'intergalactic beings' who share an interest in the creative use of technology and enjoy being creatively active. From the beginning, its scope went beyond hardware and software to include data protection, net politics and their social effects. The group established club rooms that house a large lounge and kitchen, an electronics laboratory and a workshop, as well as places to work with concentration. Over time it also built up a fablab with 3D printers and a wood workshop. The space has served as a base for projects such as the LED ceiling, which not only illuminates the lounge but also functions as a screen, and DocPatch, an open-data project that visualises all changes to the German Grundgesetz (Basic Law). Beyond internal projects, Chaospott has developed outreach activities. With 'Chaos macht Schule' members visit schools and run workshops and talks on the internet, data protection, copyright and related topics. At Cryptoparties the focus is on the practical application of encryption and computer security, and in public events the group teaches beginners about secure communication and data security. A calendar collects all events, and a wiki documents projects. The group meets mainly on Wednesdays from 19:00 in its club rooms and on Sundays from 16:00 on its Mumble server. Social activities such as game evenings, cooking together and talking shop are part of its culture. Chaospott is open to non-members, professionals and those who want to become professionals. In 2026 the group is marking 16 years of Chaospott. It announced a HOP event on 26 September 2026, inviting the regional community to celebrate the birthday together and exchange ideas. It also continues its Repaircafé, with a 2026 edition on 15 September offering a way to repair various devices and damaged items using the tools in its rooms. The group also maintains links with other amateur-radio and technical groups; for example, two people from DC3E visited the field day of OV Romeo 12 from Ratingen at Gut Anger. As a CCC Erfa-Kreis, Chaospott is part of the wider Chaos Computer Club network. Wikidata describes it as a hackspace and CCC subsidiary in Essen, Germany. It is a community organisation rather than a commercial enterprise, but it operates under the Chaospott name with a public website and club rooms.

• 2026

  Chaospott marks 16 years with a HOP birthday event on 26 September 2026.

• 2026

  Repaircafé continues in 2026, with an edition on 15 September 2026.

• 2009

  Chaospott begins dealing with technology and society as the Essen Erfa-Kreis of the Chaos Computer Club.

A community hackerspace and local CCC chapter in Essen focused on the creative use of technology, data protection and net politics, open to members and non-members alike.

• LED ceiling

  An installation that not only lights the lounge but also functions as a screen.

• DocPatch

  An open-data project that visualises all changes to the German Grundgesetz (Basic Law).

1. 1Chaospott | CCC Essen - wir sind da watt am hacken dran...chaospott.de
2. 2Über unschaospott.de
3. 3Chaospott - Wikidatawikidata.org