Germany’s Story of Welcome
This profile highlights the early years of the Weltoffene Kommune (“World-Open Cities and Communities”) initiative, co-led by Bertelsmann Foundation and PHINEO. The events and activities described took place between 2018-2020.
Overview
The Weltoffene Kommune Initiative continues to ensure that newcomers, as well as long-term migrants and residents, feel welcome in Germany. It is a collaboration between the Bertelsmann Stiftung and PHINEO—a think tank, consultancy and social organization driving and measuring impact. Welcoming International and Stiftung Mercator assisted the Weltoffene Kommune Initiative in introducing a successful pilot project in three German cities. In 2020 the project received funding from the German government to support 40 new cities and communities in their welcoming efforts.
Interviews
“Part of our DNA:” Advancing inclusion in Gütersloh, Germany
An interview with Frank Mertens and Mayuri Schindler from Gütersloh, an industrial city in Western Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state, is one of 35 communities that participated in Weltoffene Kommune, a national initiative run by Bertelsmann Stiftung and PHINEO, partners in the Welcoming International Alliance.
Q&A with Claudia Walther
An interview with the Senior Project Manager in the LebensWerte Kommune program at Bertelsmann Foundation.
More Interviews Forthcoming
Additional resources
Bertelsmann Foundation Website
PHINEO Website
Weltoffene Kommune Self-check – in
English