Global Issues

Migration

Enabling future oriented and dignified migration and integration 

The Situation

Never before have so many people been displaced worldwide. Migration routes are becoming more dangerous and capacities in host countries do not meet needs. At the same time, demographic change in many countries is leading to a growing labor shortage – and thus to a high demand for immigration. Immigration is a reality in many societies – Germany, too, has long been an immigration society. However, the existing system for managing migration and integration is not equipped for the demands of today and tomorrow. We believe its design must be humane and future-oriented. The climate crisis and the use of digital technologies to control migration add even more complexity to these challenges and dynamics. It is therefore crucial to adapt the migration system and immigration and integration policies to these realities. 

Our Goal

We are committed to future-oriented solutions, to a migration system and integration policies that are not only effective and reliable but also respect the dignity of each individual.  Our goal is to ensure that the rights and protection of migrants and refugees are always upheld. We are also committed to ensuring that their reception and integration at the local level are not only organized but also designed collaboratively. It is important to us to highlight the opportunities and challenges of migration and integration in political discourse. In doing so, we consistently take into account issues such as the effects of the climate crisis and the responsible use of digital technologies. 

Our Strategy

We support local communities as places of reception and integration, the protection of migrants and refugees, and initiatives related to climate mobility and digital technologies. In this way, we aim to enable sustainable and humane migration policies. We support innovative and future-oriented solutions in policy and practice, and we promote cross-sector dialogue to contribute to systemic change. We place particular emphasis on involving and strengthening cities and refugee-led organizations (RLOs) in political decision-making processes. 

News and insights

Report

Local integration: Searching for the right recipe

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Publication

Global Report on Internal Displacement

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Opinion

Strengthening resilience instead of deepening divides – what integration policy in Germany must deliver now

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Publication

Digital Identity and Migration

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Publication

Ukrainian displaced people's inclusion in Europe

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Rethinking Global Mobility

The Hidden Costs of Global Visa Inequality

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Munich Security Conference 2026 

As Sea Levels Rise, So Do Security Risks

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Publication

Routes in Flux: is EU migration policy working?

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Publication

How smuggling really works

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Publication

How to finance refugee leadership

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Publication

Mixed Migration Review 2025

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Publication

Forced Migration Review

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Publication

Missing in (Climate) Action? Displaced Communities and the Search for Durable Solutions

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Publication

Great Caribbean Shifts Report

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Armin Laschet (CDU), Member of the German Bundestag

“Germany must remain a country that's open to the world”

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Publication

Talking Constructively: Five Questions for Future-Oriented Migration Debates

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Integration

“We can do it” – Ten years later

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Recent study

A migration policy that unites

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Publication

Shaping Experiences of Arrival

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Opinion

Climate Mobility in Times of Global Upheaval

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Dossier

Why Climate Policy Must Become a Priority

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Publication

Mixed Migration Review 2024

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Education and integration

How refugees can also obtain the German school-leaving certificate

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Diversity in Germany

The East is Diverse: The Many Faces of Civic Engagement and Volunteering in East Germany

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Publication

Mitigation, Adaptation, Migration

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Publication

Key Building Blocks for a Better Migration System

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Publication

Digital disruption and displacement

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Publication series

Bridging Policy and Practice in the Context of Climate-Induced Migration

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Call to Action to the German Government

Protection of the Pacific Islands to become a focus of Germany's foreign climate policy

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Climate-related migration

“Listen to us! We know the problems, we know the priorities, and how to tackle them”

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Climate Mobility up to 2050

“We need to harness mobility on the African continent!”

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Publication

African Shifts Report

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UN Climate Change Conference COP27

“Africa is a unified force to tackle climate change”

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Climate change in African cities

More protection and perspectives for migrants

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Environmental migration

Built on hope

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Opinion

Dealing with Climate Migration in Africa – A New Way Forward

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Opinion

Cities Need Financing to Manage Climate-Related Migration

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Infographic

A Safe Harbour?

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Essay

Harnessing migration for climate action – an untapped opportunity?

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Interview

"We need to create effective measures to include refugee voices"

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Publication

What Really Matters to Refugees: Insights Into the Living Situation of Refugees

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How Cities Are Shaping China’s Future

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Learn more about our projects

Migration

Solutions to Displacement Linked with Climate Change

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Migration

Land.Zuhause.Zukunft

We support innovative and viable approaches to the integration and participation of newcomers to rural regions.

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Migration

Talent Beyond Boundaries

Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) supports refugees to make use of their potential and leverage their professional qualifications to migrate through safe and regular pathways. 

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Migration

Migration Journalism Award

The Migration Journalism Award recognizes and honors outstanding journalism that explores the wider political, economic and social dimensions of...

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Migration

Leadership in Migration Initiative (LMI)

The “Leadership in Migration Initiative” aims to identify and cultivate leaders who approach migration with empathy, strategic vision, and a...

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Migration

Strengthen the integration of queer refugees and migrants

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Migration

Making digital wallets work for people on the move and wider society

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Migration

Climate migration in the context of German Foreign and Development Policy

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Migration

Data on the Move: Unpacking migration data infrastructures

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Migration

StaF: Mentoring program to strengthen the social participation of foreign nursing professionals

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Migration

Automation on the Move

Systems based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making (ADM) are increasingly being experimented with and used on migrants, refugees and travelers. Our partner AlgorithmWatch explores how to enable...

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Climate Change, Migration

Global Centre for Climate Mobility

The Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) is a global partnership pushed forward by a group of champion countries and enabled by the United...

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Migration

Equitable conditions for migrant workers in Europe

With the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), we address the situation of migration workers with a precarious...

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Migration

The Integrators

The program is giving five German municipalities the chance to implement digitally and socially innovative integration projects. We provide them with trained people from business and civil society to work on solutions for local...

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Migration

Europe Prykhystok

Europe Prykhystok supports children-victims of the war in Ukraine by facilitating innovative partnerships between local actors from Ukraine and Europe.  

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Migration

Border Forensics

Border Forensics is a research and investigation agency that documents violence against migrants and refugees at borders. It works with migrant communities and civil society organizations to support their demands for truth and...

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Migration

Migration media service

The Migration media service in Germany identifies and fills knowledge gaps to bring greater objectivity to social debates.

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Migration

Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative

Community Sponsorship of refugees offers a key contribution and innovative solution to migration policy. The Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative...

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Migration

Refugee Leadership and Participation

We support refugee-led organisations and initiatives that work towards more inclusive governance at the global level.

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Migration

Mayors Migration Council

The Mayors Migration Council empowers and enables cities to engage in migration diplomacy and policymaking at the international, regional and national level. The aim is to ensure that global responses to migrant and refugee...

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Migration

The Africa-Europe Mayors’ Dialogue

A platform of African and European mayors working together to deliver innovative and practical solutions for human mobility in and between their...

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Migration

Integration Futures Working Group

The initiative is working to develop a fresh agenda for integration policy in Europe by bringing together senior integration policymakers and...

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Migration

European Philanthropic Initiative for Migration (EPIM)

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Migration

From Arrival to Participation in Society: How Refugees View Their Lives in Germany

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Our Focus

Dmytro - stock.adobe.com

Municipal Action

Local communities are places where people from different backgrounds, religions, and cultures live together. This is where diversity is visible and tangible. Local governments can actively shape integration in collaboration with civil society and the business community. That is why we support employees and managers in local government in putting immigration and integration issues on the agenda and expanding skills. We develop recommendations for action based on local practice, and we help local actors represent their interests to political decision-makers. We also promote exchange and cooperation within and between municipalities. 

Halfpoint - stock.adobe.com

The Future of Protection

Protection of the fundamental rights of refugees and vulnerable migrants is in many places patchy and under pressure. New approaches are needed to meet current and future challenges. We support projects and initiatives that develop forward-looking solutions and close gaps in the protection of migrants. We also focus on their participation and leadership in shaping and implementing policies and assistance measures.  

Friends Stock - stock.adobe.com

Digital Technologies and Migration

Digital technologies are fundamentally changing how migration and asylum are experienced and managed across borders. They are already being used in many areas of migration management – and their use is growing rapidly, for example in digital identification, AI-enabled decision-making, and border surveillance. The values and security standards built into this digital infrastructure are being developed now. We are committed to ensuring that these technologies are used responsibly in the field of migration and that they incorporate strong standards of protection. To this end, we support a wide range of actors and decision-makers and engage with political processes. 

Abdifatah Muse / NRC

Climate Change and Migration

Climate mobility has long been a reality for millions of people and is set to grow in the coming years. Our partners are working with affected communities, cities, governments, and at the multilateral level to develop concrete measures and solutions. In addition, we support instruments and mechanisms, including financing, that can contribute to a dignified and sustainable approach to climate mobility. It is important to us to highlight the different ways people are affected and to empower disadvantaged groups.  

Publications

Contact persons

Dr. Raphaela Schweiger
Director
Phone+49 711 46084-678
e-mail to Dr. Raphaela Schweiger
About
Feven Kahsay-Tesfatsion
Assistant to Team Migration
Phone+49 711 46084-978
e-mail to Feven Kahsay-Tesfatsion

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