Caritas project in Wilhelmshaven on the brink of extinction: future at risk!

Caritas project in Wilhelmshaven on the brink of extinction: future at risk!

The Caritas integration pilot project in Wilhelmshaven faces an uncertain future. The reason for this is the massive budget cuts that the state of Lower Saxony is planning as part of the integration fund. As nwzonline.de reports, this could have fatal consequences for numerous refugees who were able to find their way into the world of work thanks to the dedicated support of the integration guides. Over 1,500 people will be directly affected by the cuts if the project is stopped.

Dr. Monika Stamm, the coordinator of the integration guides, emphasizes that each integration guide looks after an average of three families, which total around five people. There are currently 20 active pilots looking after around 300 people who rely on their help. These volunteers are essential for integration, as they support refugees in orienting themselves in the new environment, dealing with difficult administrative procedures and everyday challenges.

The importance of integration pilots

The integration guides take on an important bridging function between different cultures. They support immigrants in many areas of their lives, be it shopping, waste management or contacting authorities. This is done entirely in the spirit of a personal support approach, which is also pursued by Caritas Wilhelmshaven. They also enable exchange and communication with neighbors, which makes settling into your new home much easier.

With events such as Café International, the Lotsen promote intercultural exchange and thus actively contribute to reducing prejudice. A large proportion of the refugees they support find their way into employment, particularly in the care sector, which underlines the importance of integration work.

Troubling insecurities

The project work is currently financially secured until the end of the year because the regional Caritas association is providing its own funds. But as nwzonline.de highlights, planning security for the future is shaky. The funding guidelines expire on December 31, 2024, and a possible reduction or deletion of the budget from the current ten million to just three million euros will shake up the entire project structure.

The closure of the project would not only have a huge impact on the dedicated integration pilots, but would also have a severe impact on the refugees who depend on their support. The news of the impending cuts is causing great concern in the city, where many people have already benefited from the positive work of the pilots.

It remains to be hoped that a solution will be found in time that preserves the important interface between integration and social cohesion. This is the only way to ensure that the successes in integration work of recent years are not jeopardized.