New integration center in Dresden: Hope for Ukrainian refugees!

New integration center in Dresden: Hope for Ukrainian refugees!

A new stop for the Ukrainian community is being set up in Dresden. The Ukrainian Center will act as a central platform that specifically launches social and integration-promoting projects. The aim is to support not only the Ukrainian refugees, but also the entire city society. A particular focus is on promoting refugees' personal responsibility in order to improve their access to work, education, health and housing. The ambitious project is to be implemented by December 31, 2026 in order to effectively advance integration and create positive impulses for everyone involved. The City of Dresden has made available 100,000 euros each for the years 2025 and 2026 in the budget resolution of March 31, 2025.

From the beginning of next year, the current central contact point for Ukrainian refugees will close as the corresponding funding expires on December 31, 2024. However, the essential advisory services will be incorporated into the regular migration work offerings to ensure that support for those affected continues.

Integration in focus

The Ukraine conflict has forced numerous people to flee since the Russian war of aggression in 2022. Germany has become one of the most important receiving countries for Ukrainian refugees. Many of these people seeking protection are women, children and older people who flocked to Germany due to the immediate geographical proximity and visa-free entry into surrounding countries. As the Federal Agency for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) documents, the challenges and opportunities arising from this situation are considerable for both politics and society. A dynamic environment is created that takes into account both integration processes and the various needs of refugees.

Part of these efforts are the scientific studies that have been launched since March 2022. Under the aegis of renowned research institutions such as the Institute for Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB) and the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), a well-founded picture of the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Germany is to be drawn. The data obtained from panel surveys of over 11,000 refugees provides valuable insights into integration experiences and these people's intentions to return or continue their migration.

Funding programs for refugee projects

But it's not just local resources that play a role. The Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) refers to European funding that is awarded by the federal and state governments. The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), which supports projects on the topics of asylum, integration and return, is particularly important. There is also the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus), which offers approaches to support economic and social challenges and to improve access to jobs.

In addition, there are specific programs such as “Integration through Education” and “Win-Win – Through Cooperation for Integration”, which are primarily aimed at migrants and refugees. These programs aim to promote integration and social cohesion through educational offerings and cooperation projects.

This shows that Dresden not only assumes its responsibility towards refugees, but also has a genuine interest in an inclusive society in which everyone has a chance to participate. As a reader of these moving developments in our city, one can only hope that these new initiatives will have a good hand and that the planned goals will be fruitful.