Decision Education Field Building in Action: Supporting the ODE.systems Decision-Making App

Pictured: Gordian Overschmidt, CEO and co-founder of ODE.systems.

As part of its role as a field builder, the Alliance for Decision Education leverages small grants and awards to inspire and support innovative approaches that promote Decision Education and help make it an integral part of every student’s learning journey.

One of the select grant recipients is ODE.systems, headquartered in Germany. ODE aims to help young people make informed decisions about their future and enhance their mental well-being. Gordian Overschmidt, CEO and co-founder of ODE.systems, shares insights into their collaboration with the Alliance, the support they’ve received, and the potential impact on students’ decision-making skills worldwide.

Q: Could you briefly tell me about ODE and its mission and goals?

A: ODE.systems’ mission is to empower minds and shape futures by unleashing the power of decision-making for self-awareness, mental well-being, and societal engagement. Our goal is to enhance decision-making competence among young individuals, promoting mental calm, participation, and shared values.

Q: How does the app factor into that vision?

A: Nicknamed “Hero in the Pocket” by our users, the app plays a central role in our vision by offering a transformative decision-making support system. It helps users systematically collect and process information, making decisions more calmly and securely, thus boosting self-confidence and resilience.

Q: What does the app do specifically? Who are you hoping to reach with it?

A: We like to say that the app is like having a wise friend on hand who helps you make tough decisions without feeling overwhelmed. The app guides users directly, or with the support of their guardians (from parents to teachers or coaches), through the seven-step process, making decision-making clear and less stressful. It helps users organize information, evaluate options by visualizing the process, and see potential outcomes clearly, empowering them to make informed decisions. We strive to reach young people worldwide, aiming to alleviate decision-making anxiety and foster meaningful choices.

Q: What has the response been from users and how do you feel about what you have accomplished so far?

A: User feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting increased decision-making confidence and decreased reliance on the app after just a few uses. We are proud of the impact we’ve made in empowering individuals to make better decisions for themselves.

Q: How did you hear of and connect with the Alliance? How has the Alliance helped you in your efforts?

A: Our mission is similar to that of the Alliance, and we were looking to broaden our mission and spread the positive impact we felt the app could have. It all started with individuals who shared our passion for decision competence and transferred this to the Alliance as an organization that has helped us by providing a grant, resources, and networking opportunities, enabling us to expand our reach and enhance our initiatives.

Q: In a perfect world, what would you like ODE and the app to accomplish? What would you like to see down the road in a few years? For ODE? For the app?

A: In an ideal future, we envision ODE as a global platform for decision-making competence, encouraging personal growth and societal diversity. We aim to introduce transparency in decision-making processes and continue refining the app’s features to meet evolving needs. We hope to reach even more young people, helping them make better decisions and improve their mental well-being.

Q: Any final thoughts about the project, the support from the Alliance, or the need for better decision-making?

A: Our project highlights the critical role of decision-making skills in mental well-being and societal engagement. Collaborative efforts, like those with the Alliance, are essential for addressing decision-making challenges across diverse cultures and contexts. We are grateful for the support and opportunity to make a meaningful impact on decision-making worldwide. We have a lot of work to do to provide stewardship to youth, and here again, we need the positive funding decisions of individuals or organizations. Professor Aladin El-Mafaalani, professor of educational science at the University of Osnabrück, wrote that it is “. . . important to remember that a significant part of the future’s reality depends on decisions.”

Learn more about the Alliance’s mission, and potential grant and award opportunities.