Problem addressed

Early school leavers are more likely to come from immigrant student groups. This is the case across the EU, with dropout rates twice as high for this group compared to those of the rest of the population. Research shows that socio-economic inequality is a key factor, but also highlights that other factors, such as lack social networks and lack of a social ‘mix’ in schools and communities, also play an important role. This raises questions around how best to integrate migrants, particularly in countries – such as Germany – that have experienced a large influx of refugees and asylum seekers in the context of the recent migration crisis.

Innovative solution

AK Asyl Weiden seeks to support migrant integration in the city of Weiden through promoting the successful and sustainable integration of children into the German education system. AK Asyl Weiden provides multifold support, helping both children and parents through aspects of their integration that may have an impact on school attendance and attainment. The project also seeks to contribute to tolerance, acceptance of strangers and dismantling of prejudices in German society through awareness-raising events and workshops.

The project was set up in February 1985 in Weiden, a town in the county of Oberpfalz, Bavaria, south-east Germany. The project targets children from different migrant backgrounds – including children of Jewish quota refugees, civil war refugees and guest worker children – and provides services ranging from school support to counselling. Wraparound schoolwork support is provided daily, from after school until 7 p.m. Parents and guardians can also receive support including advice on any social or legal problems that they may have, support with day-to-day issues concerning living in Germany (including help with sending their children to school) and can be accompanied on visits to administrative offices and medical appointments.

The organisation itself is comprised of 31 employees and 20 volunteers. Since 2004, a Weiden entrepreneur has provided the premises for the project in a business building in the city centre. Volunteers can work in a chosen field, either with secondary or primary school pupils, depending on their background and experience. Counselling is provided by trained, paid staff. Within their day-to-day work, project staff seek to support all children to meet school requirements and achieve a school leaving certificate, strengthen the self-confidence of foreign children and adolescents, and provide guidance.

Key results and benefits

The project's principal impact is on the educational development of the children involved. So far, no students have dropped out and only a very small number of children have had to repeat a year – most children pass their exams. The project supports up to 230 children at any one time.

The second result of the project’s work has been to assist minors in creating a strong foundation on which to build their future lives, as well as to positively influence local misconceptions about immigrant communities through their successful integration into local society. Through the integration of migrant groups into German society, the project seeks to be an antidote to extremist and xenophobic views on immigration.

Potential for mainstreaming

The project does not operate beyond Weiden. Funds for the initiative are raised locally and the annual expenditure for the project is approximately EUR 750 000. The project regards itself as a model for similar initiatives that could be implemented in other towns and local authorities. Conditions for transfer to another context include ensuring a holistic approach to supporting refugee integration and working with both children and parents on a range of issues they may face, not restricted to education alone.

In April 2011, and again in May 2014, the Federal Service Office of the Federal Ministry for Families, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Aktion zusammen wachsen) recognised the initiative as project of the month. In autumn 2014, the project’s longstanding work on the integration of migrant communities was acknowledged through the Oberpfalz Government’s Integration Prize. In a meeting of the town council, the mayor of Weiden stated that ‘without the constant work of the AK Asyl, the climate in our town would be colder’.