Strengthen the integration of queer refugees and migrants

Strengthen the integration of queer refugees and migrants is sponsored by Robert Bosch Stiftung. This program supports organizations and projects that are committed to strengthening the participation and addressing the concerns of queer refugees and migrants who often face multiple discriminations.

Strengthen the integration of queer refugees and migrants | Robert Bosch Stiftung Strengthen the integration of queer refugees and migrants Queer refugees and migrants face special challenges and are often discriminated against on multiple occasions. In order to strengthen their participation, the funding program supports organizations and projects that are committed to these people and their concerns.

In brief About the project Queer refugees and LGBTIQ* with a migration background need information about specific offers in the area, about accommodation options, about their rights in the asylum procedure, opportunities in professional life, their rights and obligations in society. Empowerment is an important building block for inclusion and political and social participation.

Especially outside metropolitan areas, such offers are rarer, less known and more difficult to access. In order to strengthen the advisory structures for queer refugees and migrants outside metropolitan areas, the program offers both financial support and joint learning with other actors in the field.

This particularly addresses self-organizations and projects that are led by people with their own refugee and/or migration history, but also organizations that work with queer people. Questions that are particularly relevant and should be addressed during the funding period are: How can queer refugees and migrants become aware of advice and help offers?

How can people with a refugee or migration history be supported in coping with internalized fears of discrimination? How can integration and social and political participation for LGBTIQ* refugees and LGBTIQ* migrants be promoted in a targeted and sustainable manner? What special challenges do LGBTIQ* refugees and LGBTIQ* migrants experience outside metropolitan areas and how can these be addressed?

How can contact points and staff be trained and sensitized? And what conditions must be created for sustainable empowerment and successful integration? Why are we running this project?

Queer refugees or people with a migration background who identify as part of the LGBTIQ* community are often discriminated against in multiple ways - in society, but also within the queer community or in their family and friend circles. This means that the hurdles for them to lead a self-determined life and participate in society are particularly high. What do we want to achieve?

The program aims to strengthen organizations that work with these target groups, strengthen their empowerment or – where necessary – provide safe spaces for them. To achieve this, three strong partner organizations have joined forces: the Queer Diversity Association Germany (LSVD⁺), the Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation and the Robert Bosch Stiftung.

With the different skills that are brought into the program, it is intended to significantly improve the advice and support structures for queer refugees and people with a migration history, even outside of major German cities. How does the project work? In addition to financial support, the funded organizations are invited to exchange experiences.

This takes place in regular digital meetings and two face-to-face meetings in Berlin and Cologne. Information on our partners' websites For more information about the project and background on the topic, please visit the websites of our project partners, LSVD⁺ – Queer Diversity Association Germany, and the Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation.

LSVD⁺ – Queer Diversity Association Germany Magnus Hirschfeld Foundation These organizations and projects will be supported in 2026 Bildungsstätte Bredback and "QueerTopia 2. 0 - Kreativprojekt für queere Migrant*innen und LSBTIQ-Geflüchtete" Bund deutscher Pfadfinder_innen Thüringen with the project "Knowledge & Resilience" The project of Exil e. V.

"HorizonLAB – Schutz für LSBTIQ*-Geflüchtete“ Flüchtlingsrat Niedersachsen with the project Queer Refugees Network New Chapter e. V. with the project "Vielfalt findet Raum" Place e.

V. with the project "Power of Color" PLUS Rhein-Neckar e. V.

with the project "Roots and Rainbows" PSZ Rostock with the project "[re]claim - Beratung und Empowerment für queere Geflüchtete & Migrant*innen" Contact at the Queer Diversity Association Germany (LSVD⁺) LSVD⁺ – Verband Queere Vielfalt e. V.

Contact at the Robert Bosch Stiftung e-mail to Dr. Ferdinand Mirbach This project is part of the topic Enabling future oriented and dignified migration and integration 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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