An Integration Hub is a place for neighborhoods where newcomers and long-time residents meet and live together. An Integration Hub aims to systematically enable faster and more holistic integration of refugees and migrants in these neighborhoods.

 

There are currently many structural challenges hindering integration, which make it extremely difficult and tedious for refugees to find work, acquire sufficient communication skills, or build a social network that enables full participation in society.

 

There are currently two prototype locations for the Integration Hub. Another location will be set up in Berlin starting from 2021. In the future, Integration Hubs will foster participation and belonging in many municipalities across Germany and Europe.

 

Integration Hubs facilitate the integration process by creating spaces that help refugees, migrants and locals promote social, cultural and economic togetherness by incubating their own local initiatives. These initiatives can be both community events, cultural activities, or even local business ideas.

 

As a first step towards implementation, the concept was developed with several stakeholders. A spatial program, an incubation curriculum for local initiatives, and a community building strategy were created. The result was a general manual that serves as an implementation guide. This manual is based on direct and qualitative surveys and workshops in which the needs and ideas of refugees, migrants and other interest groups were expressed.

 

In the second step, parts of the manual are currently being tested at prototype locations to test their functionality, their effect, and to better understand them. For the next phase, new locations are being scouted for the project where the concept can be fully developed.

 

The Robert Bosch Foundation and MORE THAN SHELTERS are happy to explain to interested municipalities the advantages of the Integration Hub and how these can be effective for their specific location.

 

Download the manual here: Manual