Annual Report

How might integration succeed? Asylum seekers about their life situations and participation perspectives in Germany

Study | November 2017

In Germany, there is still a lack of reliable knowledge about the life situations of refugees, especially the type of knowledge that considers the views of refugees. However, such a perspective is important in order to improve the asylum system and tailor integration and participation measures. This is where this study comes in: In qualitative interviews, adult asylum seekers were interviewed who did not yet have a secure residence status in Germany. The study analyzes the refugees’ views of their place of residence, access to work and training and education opportunities, encounters and contact with the local population, as well as their subjective perception of the classification of asylum seekers according to their prospect to stay. The study also shows which topics refugees raised on their own. It issues recommendations for decision-makers from the German federal government, the federal states (Bundesländer) and local authorities, for non-governmental refugee workers as well as civil society initiatives and volunteer work, and for representatives from business. The study forms the conclusion of a research project that examined the perspectives of refugees of their life situations in Germany (Von der Aufnahme zu gesellschaftlicher Teilhabe: Die Perspektive der Flüchtlinge auf ihre Lebenslagen in Deutschland – From Arrival to Participation in Society: How Refugees View Their Lives in Germany), which was carried out jointly by the SVR Research Unit and the Robert Bosch Stiftung.

Paper Tigers or Milestones? A Comparison of the Integration Acts of the Bundesländer

Policy Brief | October 2017

Integration is a topic of hot debate at the federal level; yet it is the states and local authorities (Länder and Kommunen) that are responsible for many of its key aspects. Four of Germany’s 16 federal states have passed their own integration acts in recent years. The policy brief examines the acts passed by the states of Berlin (2010), North Rhine-Westphalia (2012), Baden-Württemberg (2015) and Bavaria (2016). The brief’s main conclusion: With their respective acts, the Bundesländer are underscoring the importance of integration policy, and setting the framework conditions for the latter. Integration acts at the state level can guide integration policy by creating or strengthening structures for coordination and cooperation. However, their ultimate impact will be determined not only by their specific legal arrangements but also by their implementation in practice. Ultimately, acts and laws can guarantee neither an appropriate integration policy nor improved opportunities for participation. The policy brief was funded by Stiftung Mercator.

Diversity in the Classroom. How Teachers Can Encourage Good Performance

Tackling the Diversity Challenge. Ethnic Diversity and Student Success in the German Higher Education System

Study | May 2017

German universities are still struggling with ethnic diversity. More than four out of ten international students drop out of German universities without completing a degree. The dropout rate of first- and second-generation migrants in Germany is also higher than average. An analysis of the Expert Council's Research Unit shows both groups struggle more often than their native counterparts with linguistic, technical and financial difficulties as well as social isolation. The study presents recommendations for universities, on how to better support students to reach their full potential.

Return Policy in Germany. Ways to Strengthen Financed Voluntary Departure

Study | March 2017

Even though voluntary departure of failed asylum seekers takes precedence over deportations, there are hardly any legally binding specifications to implement and fund this option. The weight given to financed voluntary return is very different depending on the Land. SVR’s Research Unit examined return policy practices in three Länder and derived the following recommendations: return counselling should be introduced throughout Germany and be embedded in law; there is a need for better coordination between the federal government and the Länder, stronger support structures as well as clear and transparent guidelines for enforcement by the authorities.

What’s Really Important: Insight into the Living Situation of Refugees

To The Point | January 2017

(Only available in German)

Real social contact to the population in Germany is important to refugees. They want an intact social life and stable personal relationships. This is one of the first findings of the study on the living situation of refugees which is being carried out in collaboration between the SVR Research Unit and the Robert Bosch Stiftung. Around 60 qualitative interviews are being conducted with refugees for the study. What makes the study unique is the open interview section where refugees have the opportunity at the beginning to freely talk about the issues that are important to them. The open interview section of one third of the interviews was evaluated for the information paper. The complete study will be published in November 2017.

Arriving and Staying in Germany: Facilitating Integration by Assigning Place of Residence?

Policy Brief l November 2016

Since the Integration Act went into force in August 2016, a domicile requirement has applied for refugees who have been granted protected status and are dependent on social benefits. This requirement aims to prevent refugees from moving to other federal states (Länder) and to encourage integration. At the same time, the Länder may also assign where refugees live within the state itself. But uniform distribution alone is no guarantee that integration will be successful. Using the state of Brandenburg as an example, the Policy Brief looks at how the domicile requirement can be implemented so that it is expedient in integration policy terms and provides policy recommendations for the Länder and municipalities.

Black, Red, Green: What are the Party Preferences of Immigrants?

Policy Brief l October 2016

17 million people with a migration background live in Germany; the portion of the population made up by immigrants will continue to further increase in the next few years. For the political parties, this represents a pool of potential voters, members and leaders that has yet to be tapped into. The Policy Brief analyses the party preferences of immigrants in more detail by key groups of origin. In addition to Spät-/Aussiedler, or repatriated ethnic Germans, and people of Turkish descent, a distinction was also made between EU immigrants who came to Germany before the end of 2000, new EU immigrants who arrived in 2001 or later and people from the "rest of the world". The most important finding was that the party affiliations of immigrants have, in part, undergone a significant transformation. The Policy Brief recommends that the political parties target the needs of immigrants more effectively to encourage their political involvement. The Policy Brief is based on a special analysis of the SVR's 2016 Integration Barometer.