History of the Expert Council
Expert Council on Integration and Migration financed by federal funding
On 2 December 2020 the Federal Government decided to establish the Expert Council on Integration and Migration. Since January 2021 the Expert Council is being fully institutionally financed by the Federal Government, specifically through funding from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI). The Expert Council will continue the work of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR), founded in 2008 by a consortium of private foundations.
The foundation initiative
The initiative to form the Expert Council was undertaken by the Stiftung Mercator and the VolkswagenStiftung in 2008, and was joined by six other well-known German foundations with the aim of jointly supporting the SVR. At the time, this kind of alliance among foundations was a novelty. The initiative was based on the finding that an independent institution for research-based policy advice is needed in this complex and highly emotional field.
The Berlin Office has supported the work of the Expert Council since 1 January 2009. Its first Managing Director was Dr Gunilla Fincke.
The supporting foundations
Since its formation, the SVR has been supported by a broad consortium of foundations:
Stiftung Mercator (2008–2020)
VolkswagenStiftung (2008–2020)
Bertelsmann Stiftung (2008–2020)
Freudenberg Foundation (2008–2020)
Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung (2008–2014)
Körber Foundation (2008–2014)
Robert Bosch Stiftung (2014–2020)
Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (2013–2020)
Vodafone Foundation Germany (2008–2020)
ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius (2008–2012)
Formation of the Expert Council’s Research Unit
In November 2011 the Expert Council’s Research Unit was set up to enhance the SVR’s work. It conducted independent, practically oriented research projects in integration and migration. One focus of these projects was education. Basic financing for the research unit was provided by the Stiftung Mercator. Individual studies and research projects have been and are currently being funded, for example, by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft and the Vodafone Foundation Germany. The Expert Council’s Research Unit also wrote expertises for external clients including state and federal ministries, think tanks and international government organisations. From 2021 the Expert Council’s scientific staff will continue the work of the SVR Research Unit.
Highlights in the history of the Expert Council
Expert Council on Integration and Migration financed by federal funding
On 2 December 2020 the Federal Government decided to establish the Expert Council on Integration and Migration. As of January 2021 the Expert Council is being fully institutionally financed by the Federal Government, specifically through funding from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI). The Expert Council will continue the work of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR), founded in 2008 by a consortium of private foundations.
Press Release from 16 December 2020 (available only in German)
Project funding by federal government and federal states
Funding for the work of the SVR was put on a new footing in 2019: after its founding more than 10 years ago on the initiative of Stiftung Mercator and the VolkswagenStiftung, the SVR has been funded by a consortium of private foundations. In future, the federal government will also be contributing towards its project funding. The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community’s contribution will encompass project funding from the federal budget towards the 2020 Annual Report and the 2020 Integration Barometer. The federal states will also be contributing towards the costs of the 2020 Integration Barometer.
Prof. Dr. Petra Bendel takes over as Chairperson
In June 2019 the members of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration voted Prof. Dr. Petra Bendel as its new Chairperson. A trained political scientist, Prof. Dr. Bendel has been a member of the Expert Council since 2016. The members of the Expert Council voted the legal scholar Prof. Dr. Daniel Thym, also a member since 2016, as Deputy Chairperson. Former Chairperson Prof. Dr. Thomas K. Bauer and Deputy Chairperson Hacı Halil Uslucan left the Expert Council after serving their rotating term of office.
Ten Years of the Expert Council
Press Release from 8 November 2018 (available only in German)
Prof. Dr. Thomas K. Bauer takes over as Chairman of the Expert Council
In September 2016 the members of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration voted Prof. Dr. Thomas K. Bauer as their new Chairperson. A trained economist, Prof. Dr. Bauer has been a member of the Expert Council since 1 September 2011. At the same meeting Prof. Dr. Haci Halil Uslucan was confirmed as Deputy Chairperson. As from January 2019 the Chairperson will have the support of two joint deputies, namely Prof. Dr. Petra Bendel and Prof. Dr. Haci Halil Uslucan.
Dr. Cornelia Schu becomes SVR’s Managing Director
Another change occurred at the top of the SVR office in 2014. Dr. Cornelia Schu took over as the SVR’s Managing Director on June 1. Approx. 20 permanent employees and project staff currently work in the SVR office.
Five Years of the Expert Council
Press release from 15 October 2013: Five Years of the Expert Council: Independent, Interdisciplinary and Non-Partisan (available only in German)
Prof. Dr. Christine Langenfeld takes over as Chairwoman of the Expert Council
In July 2012 Prof. Dr. Christine Langenfeld took over as Chairperson of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration. She is a law professor and has been part of the SVR since its inception. On 8 July 2016, the German Bundesrat elected Prof. Christine Langenfeld’s to serve as a Justice on the German Federal Constitutional Court and, as a result, Prof. Dr. Hacı Halil Uslucan has provisionally assumed the role of Chairperson of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration.
Formation of the Expert Council
Documents on the formation of the Expert Council – Press conference on 15 October 2008 in Berlin:
Speech by Prof. Dr. Klaus Bade, Chairman of the Expert Council (only available in German)
Speech by Dr. Wilhelm Krull, General Secretary of the Volkswagen Foundation (only available in German)
Speech by Rüdiger Frohn, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Expert Council (only available in German)