Strong together: Ostallgäu discusses integration for everyone!

Strong together: Ostallgäu discusses integration for everyone!

The Ostallgäu 2025 Integration Forum took place on October 29, 2025 in an inspiring atmosphere. Around 60 representatives from politics, administration, associations, initiatives and civil society came together to discuss the topic of integration. The event, which takes place every two years, was launched by District Administrator Maria Rita Zinnecker and aims to promote exchange and networking in the area of ​​integration.

The focus was on strengthening coexistence and the participation of all people, regardless of their origin, religion or residence status. The head of the department for foreigners, civil status, asylum and integration, Ralf Kinkel, welcomed those present and led into an exciting agenda that highlights current figures, trends and challenges in the areas of flight, migration and integration.

Important topics and projects

The Office for Municipal Integration presented a variety of ongoing and planned projects, including language courses, the promotion of volunteer work and encounter projects that are intended to strengthen cooperation. Information stands from advice centers, offices and specialist services offered numerous offers to support immigrants and promote volunteer work.

An “integration suitcase” was the topic of an in-depth workshop by Dr. Judith Abdel-Massih-Thiemann, who taught the basics of successful integration work. Further workshops addressed pressing issues such as racism and structural discrimination, with a particular focus on the health challenges in the migration context. Fahim Sobat led the participants through the consequences of flight and migration in his workshop “Health in the Migration Context”.

• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bauer sprach über Rassismus, religiöse sowie biologische Ideologien und strukturelle Diskriminierung.
• Hannah Schieferle zeigte Strategien zur Bekämpfung diskriminierender Aussagen im Workshop „Stellung beziehen gegen Stammtischparolen“.

Anyone interested in further information about migration and integration in the district will find numerous offers and resources in the Integreat Ostallgäu app.

Legal framework for integration

The event also covered legal principles that are relevant to the topic of migration and integration. The European Commission's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund includes various regulations that ensure that the integration of migrants takes place legally. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees provides further information on this, where the relevant regulations are explained in detail. [BAMF] offers a comprehensive insight into the different regulations that were passed between 2014 and 2020 and that set important guidelines for the implementation of integration projects.

The Integration Forum Ostallgäu 2025 has once again proven that integration is a community project that requires all resources and ideas to promote harmonious coexistence. Collaboration between different actors plays a crucial role in ensuring successful integration. It remains to be hoped that the coming years will bring many more such fruitful exchange formats!