The question of how to integrate the refugees that have been coming to Germany in great numbers since last year is a hot topic like no other in our country right now. Thousands of volunteers are involved in the intake and integration of refugees to give them insight into Germany. To support this work, the Software AG Foundation established the “Auf Augenhöhe” fund under the auspices of GLS Treuhand in 2016. The goal is to provide non-bureaucratic financial support for community initiatives that are already working in a wide variety of ways to create encounters with refugees on equal footing. Twelve projects are being supported in the pilot phase, including an integration radio project that gives refugees a voice. Starting in 2017 all community foundations that bear the Association of German Foundations’ seal of approval can apply for financial support for their integration projects.
“Volunteering is one of the most important pillars of our society. This has become very clear in recent weeks and months, especially in efforts to integrate refugees. Therefore, we wish to support the Software AG Foundation in this extraordinary project,” emphasized Karl-Heinz Streibich, CEO of Software AG. With our contribution, we particularly want to support those who take on that responsibility on a daily basis without being paid in order to give other people here prospects for a future in Germany.”
More than €500,000 have already been collected to support the volunteer efforts of community foundations. Along with 28 cooperating partners from civil society and the business world, Software AG is also getting involved to be part of giving refugees a positive future in Germany.
For more information about the Software AG Foundation, click on this link.