Introduction
Back to: Working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Civic involvement for migrants and refugees is not a new phenomenon in European countries. However, in the framework of the so-called „refugee crisis“ with its start in 2015, a new extent and quality of volunteer engagement for this target group has been developed. Whereas in 2015 most refugee helpers were involved in activities for the initial reception of asylum seekers (accommodation, food, clothing, etc.) since 2016 the activities have been focusing more and more on integration. Volunteers spend their spare time with the migrants, support them in contacting public authorities, help them to get access to housing or give language lessons.
A survey of the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs came to the result that all regions, social classes and age groups are involved to almost the same extent. Compared to the total population, volunteers working for integration feature higher levels of education and income. 25 per cent of them have a migrant background, compared to the total of volunteers in all activity fields: Here only 15 per cent have a migrant background.
Regarding the religious background, 17% of denominational persons, 21% of Christians and 44% of Muslims were involved in volunteer refugee aid.
- Volunteers in refugee aid use 5,5 hours per week on average for their supporting activities (compared to 3,7 hours of volunteers in total)
- 60% of the engaged persons report about positive reactions of their social environment
- More than 80% say that they receive thankfulness
- 64% state that they learned and experienced new things through their activities
- 60% made new friends
- 80% enjoy their volunteering activities
- 24% report that they have been offended or attacked due to their engagement
- 58% are sceptical about the refugees‘ chances on the labour market
- 54% experience problems with bureaucracy
- 48% report about language and communication problems
61% wish for a less complicated collaboration with public authorities1.