Germany is suffering from a shortage of skilled labour, which varies from region to region and sector to sector. Demographic change is causing the labour force to shrink; at the same time, the ongoing transformation and structural change processes require a large number of skilled workers. The German government has therefore modernised immigration law and introduced an opportunity card to facilitate the immigration of skilled workers from outside the European Union. If Germany, as a country of immigration, not only wants to attract skilled workers and employees, but also wants to retain them, immigrants must feel welcome, be integrated and want to stay.

The competition ‘Zusammen wachsen: Gute Ideen für Integration am Arbeitsmarkt’ starts here and identifies and recognises outstanding initiatives for the integration of international skilled workers and employees in the German labour market. We want to present and recognise tried-and-tested projects that put successful integration into practice every day in different places in Germany and contribute to a strong sense of togetherness in a diverse society. This strengthens the national culture of openness and inclusion, makes proven integration approaches visible and promotes an objective, solution-orientated discussion about migration and integration.

Companies, public administration, educational institutions and civil society initiatives and projects that actively contribute to ensuring that international skilled workers and labour force remain in Germany for professional success are eligible to apply. All entries submitted must have a concrete connection to integration in the labour market in Germany.

The ‘Zusammen wachsen: Gute Ideen für Integration am Arbeitsmarkt’ competition is a project of Deutschland – Land der Ideen, facilitated by Bertelsmann Stiftung, Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI) and Stiftung Mercator.

As network partners, the project is supported by Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände (BDA), Deutscher Landkreistag, Deutschlandstiftung Integration, Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) and Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks (ZDH).

The best-practice examples are selected by a jury of experts.

We are looking for best practice examples in the following categories:

1. Integration in working life -– concrete support and sustainable change to the welcoming culture in the workplace

2. Educational opportunities -– Opening up career prospects, recognising qualifications, promoting integration

3. Public discourse -– Communication and public relations work for an open and diverse society

4. Everyday life and arrival -– Practical help for a good life in Germany

5. Building bridges -– Cross-border projects and international partnerships for skilled workers