Velbert's Integration Policy: Focus on Equal Opportunities, Language Support, and Social Work

Velbert's Integration Policy in Focus: Equal Opportunities, Language Support, and Social Work

Velbert supports the integration of people with a migration background through low-threshold offers, structural support, and long-term participation. In February 2026, the Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration made several relevant decisions that could shape the future of integration in the city.

The Southeast Europe Project Office: Successes and Challenges

A central topic of the meeting was the presentation of the Southeast Europe Project Office (SOE Office), which has been funded by the city of Velbert since 2024. The office serves as a central contact point for families in need of support in areas such as housing, work, education, health, and language.

In 2025, the SOE Office reached approximately 625 people through 1,982 consultation sessions. The target group mainly consists of people from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Turkey, and Greece. Frequently addressed issues include livelihood security (job center, housing allowance), health (health insurance, doctors), education (school enrollment, language courses), and legal matters.

The work of the SOE Office has been marked by successes: Women become more confident, are integrated more quickly into language courses and employment, and increasingly take on exemplary roles. At the same time, challenges remain, such as language barriers, formal requirements, and low educational backgrounds.

Velbert invests approximately 220,000 euros annually in the SOE Office, with the cost per consultation case averaging about 113 euros. The collaboration with authorities, schools, and non-profit organizations is largely assessed as positive, but there is a clear demand for structural adjustments to facilitate access to these services.

Language Support: KiKoS Primary School and KiKoS-Family

Another central topic was the presentation of the language support programs "KiKoS-Primary School" and "KiKoS-Family," which are carried out by the city of Velbert together with the AWO in the district of Mettmann. Currently, about 35 children are registered at the primary school, with 10–15 children regularly participating in the support program.

These programs are part of the efforts to ease the transition of children with a migration background into the German education system. The language support is free of charge and aims to strengthen their participation in school and community life.

Reopening of the District Service Center: A Proposal with Political Weight

Another decision point was the inquiry by the SPD faction regarding the reopening of the District Service Center in Velbert. The service center, which could house, among other things, the foreign affairs office, was rejected in 2023 due to a lack of suitable premises. The SPD argued that the reopening would promote equal opportunities and help alleviate the situation in the district of Mettmann.

The Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration unanimously approved a motion requesting the mayor to advocate for the reopening with the district administrator. The administration confirmed that the mayor will take on this task.

The City of Velbert’s Integration Award: Recognition and Motivation

During the meeting, the guidelines for the Equal Opportunities and Integration Support Award were also discussed. The award, which has been presented biennially since 2026, is endowed with up to 3,000 euros and is intended to recognize commitment to integration and participation.

The committee unanimously approved the new guidelines, with the award's name changed from "Integration Award" to "Support Award for Equal Opportunities and Integration" to emphasize the extended focus on equal opportunities.

Outlook: Integration as a Continuous Process

The committee's decisions show that Velbert is deliberately pursuing an integration-friendly policy—not only through financial resources, but also through structural and social support. The reopening of the district service center, the strengthening of language support, and the work of the SOE Office are steps in this direction.

In the coming months, it will be particularly important to evaluate the success of the existing measures and to identify new challenges at an early stage. Velbert demonstrates that integration is not a one-time act, but a continuous process that must be supported by politics, administration, and society.