Refuge Worldwide launches app and new supporters scheme

It's been a long time coming, but we are so excited to share that we've launched a new mobile app, our first ever, bringing together live radio streaming, improved listening features, and a new way to directly support the station.

The new Refuge Worldwide app introduces several fresh tools designed to make it easier for listeners to keep track of favourite shows, revisit broadcasts from our archive of over 15,000 episodes, and tap into new playlists.

You can now save shows within the app, alongside regularly updated themed playlists of staff picks, genre spotlights, and live sets from festivals. Alongside this, we have a new chatroom, as well as discounts in our shop, and a new look radio schedule so you can stay up to date.

Download: Apple Store and Google Play

Support the station

Alongside this refreshed on-the-go experience, we are also launching a new membership/supporters section within the app - giving you an opportunity to contribute directly to the station and help our ongoing broadcasts, programming, and community projects.

The app is a really simple way for us to improve the listening experience and create a more sustainable future for the station.

While the app is free to download and use, there is a supporters section inside that is part of our drive to become more self sufficient.

Over the past two years, we have openly discussed ongoing financial challenges, shared by many independent cultural organisations and community-led media platforms. Rising operational costs and increasing pressure on independent spaces have made long-term sustainability more difficult, and despite continued support from our listeners, artists, and contributors around the world, we have to find ways to make ends meet without relying on state funding or partnerships every month.

Most of what we offer here at Niemetzstraße - workshops, production sessions, screenings, our studios spaces, event room hire, and entry to our parties, we offer for free. To continue to do this, we are asking folks to please subscribe and support us in the app. It’s only 5€ per month, you can cancel anytime, and there are multiple benefits inside.

Last year’s fantastic support through the station’s crowdfunding campaign played a vital role in helping us continue on air during a difficult period. The new app and membership system is designed to build on that support by creating a more sustainable long-term structure to help safeguard the station’s future. 

We want our busy programme of events at Niemetzstraße, workshops and open studio sessions to remain affordable, and the best way to do that now is to generate our own, protected revenue via this supporters scheme.

Over the last few years, we’ve had to think seriously about how independent radio can survive long term. This app is not only about improving the listening experience, but also about creating a sustainable model that helps keep the station alive for the years ahead.

Members supporting Refuge Worldwide through the new app will also receive access to a range of additional benefits, including:

• Exclusive in-app features

• 4 meet-up events per year exclusively for members/supporters

• Early access to merchandise

• 15% off the Refuge store

• Benefits from our partners

• Exclusive recordings (coming soon)

If you use Niemetzstraße or our studios for co-working, DJ practice, making music, or attend our listening sessions, screenings, or workshops - please consider joining the supporters network.

The new Refuge Worldwide app is now on the Apple Store and Google Play, available for free. If you are able to, please consider subscribing to the members area for just 5€ per month. Our Patreon page will eventually be closed down, and subscribers on that platform will are encouraged to rejoin via our app or website. We appreciate your support!

Designed by Raoul Gottsching, built by Jack Murray Brown, photos and additional graphics by Bianca Mocan.

With thanks to Carhartt WIP for helping us to produce this new infrastructure.