1. Presentation of RegioStars finalists 2010 GERMAN-TURKISH ECONOMIC CENTRE MANNHEIM
Category „The integration of migrants or marginalised groups in urban areas”

2. Context of the project City of Mannheim:
inhabitants, representing approx. 170 nations
20% persons of foreign nationality
Turkish people and Germans of Turkish descent compose the largest group of migrants ( persons)
Mannheim’s Objective 2 Programme ( )
Answer to the structural change (e.g. decrease of employment in producing industries)
20 Mio. Euro ERDF funding activated more than 112 Mio. Euro total investment which created and secured a total of 2500 jobs
Responsible: City of Mannheim, Department for Economic and Structural Development
Main focus: Target group-specific support for business start-ups (“Women's Business Centre”, “German-Turkish Economic Centre”, “Music-Park”, “Pop-Academy” and “MAFINEX Technology Centre”)
Result: Mannheim is one of the cities in Baden-Wuerttemberg with the most business start-ups (11,8 start-ups per inhabitants).

3. Starting point and strategy
Analysis of the specific situation in Mannheim:
Persons of Turkish descent show a high willingness for starting a new business.
Qualification level of the target group is below average while the unemployment rate is above average.
The target group shows a lack of German language skills and has to meet tougher requirements for bank loans.
Counselling institutions like the Chamber of Industry and Commerce often can’t reach the target group using “traditional” qualification courses.
Mannheim’s strategy:
Reversal of the consulting-way: All relevant actors (city administration, Chamber of Industry and Commerce, employment agencies) are actively approaching the target group in one institution.
Consulting and coaching is carried out in Turkish language.
Result: The German-Turkish Economic Centre is the first institution in Germany to address the concerns of Turkish immigrants specifically with regard to start-up businesses.

4. The innovative dtw-approach
qualification
networking
consultancy
interface and extended benefits
interface and extended benefits
Needs-based integration of benefits
by a pro-active strategy for consulting and coaching
The dtw - Model
Result: The German-Turkish Economic Centre offers tailor-made advice and room for business start-ups.

5. Impact of the project
496 people (122 women, 374 men) joined training and qualification courses
11 new enterprises (4 of them founded by women) within the dtw, 45 new businesses are located outside
23 new jobs within the dtw, 101 new jobs in business located outside dtw
Sustainable economic growth in the field of SMEs run by Turkish immigrants
Strengthening entrepreneurship and prevention of unemployment
Increased identification of Turkish people and Germans of Turkish descent with their city
Result: The German-Turkish Economic Centre is a role model for the economic integration of migrants. The approach can be adapted and implemented European-wide.