Integration in Pforzheim Project Meeting „EASY Towns“ / in Heist-op-den-Berg, October 20, 2015 Lukas Wozniok Youth and Social Welfare Department/ Integration Office

A. Integration politics in the Federal Republic of Germany

federal level Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration [Minister of State Aydan Özoğuz] state level Minister for Integration of Baden-Württemberg [Ms Bilkay Öney] local level Commissioner for Integration of Pforzheim [Mrs Anita Gondek]

In the federal system of Germany integration policies are defined at all levels  sometimes leading to competency overlaps and conflicts. National Integration Plan since 2006:  Strengthening the partnership of federal state, national states and local authorities among themselves in addition with civil society  Establishing common integration policy guidelines and political objectives „Integration as a shared responsibility“

Integration = participating in the key areas of social life  From upbringing, education, vocational training and access to the labor market, to social protection systems up to political participation. „Integration is a cross-sectional task“

B. Integration in Pforzheim

Population (2013) Total: with migration background: Pforzheim has nationwide the second highest proportion of people with a migration background: 47% (census of 2011).  Immigration from abroad to Pforzheim continues and leads to a positive development of the population number. Recent immigration from South-East Europe, Poland and Turkey + significant increase in the number of asylum seekers August 2015: 597 asylum seekers in Pforzheim (in particular from Iraq and Syria)

Integration in Pforzheim I. Political participation II. Administration III. Private organisations IV. Voluntary activities

Integration in Pforzheim I. Political participation EU-citizens: are requested to make use of their rights to vote and to stand as a candidate in local elections EU-citizens + Third Country Nationals: Integration Committee  advises the council in integration policy fields Promoting professionalism and social cooperation of migrant-self-organisations

Integration in Pforzheim II. Administration The Integration Office is part of the Youth and Social Welfare Department of the city. The Commissioner for Integration: supports the council and various sectors of the administration on specific issues concerning integration / coordinates activities accordingly and advises municipal offices on integration projects The integration plan is connected to the wide- ranging strategic social plan of the city concerning education / employment and income / living / health / civic participation.

Integration in Pforzheim III. Private organisations Language and integration courses: Providers offer courses designed + financed by the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees). Education in non-formal context: Institutions of the youth welfare service / youth centers / sports and cultural facilities Youth social work: Mobile youth work supports adolescents and young adults in socially sensitive neighborhoods Consulting services (with the help of translators): Support for migrants e.g. in administrative procedures / Youth Migration Service

Integration in Pforzheim IV. Voluntary activities Just a few examples Volunteer agencies: Civic engagement for supporting the integration of migrants, e.g. learning German with reading mentors Non-profit organisation BISA in Pforzheim: Support of children and young people at primary and secondary schools with the help of volunteers as well as accompanying the volunteers with training courses. “Welcome Alliance Pforzheim": Voluntary assistance and support of refugees

The office serves as an information interface concerning the various possibilities of language acquisition in Pforzheim and allows an immediate placement in integration courses and other language support offers. In co-operation with providers and institutions from Pforzheim 30 courses have been compiled and launched with a total number of 988 participants in Model project “Coordination Office for Language Courses" Model project “Coordination Office for Language Courses"

Thank you for your attention!