Project in preparation

»Integration trough dialogue«

Project target

Labour market integration of third-country nationals

The project aims to promote the integration of third-country nationals in selected regions.

The target group is local companies and their environment as well as migrants with access to the labour market. Within this target group, female third-country nationals are particularly promoted as key players in the integration process.
The focus is on the implementation of dialogue formats in order to promote a better understanding of and communication with each other within the target group.

Indirectly, this should (1) promote the integration of third-country nationals and (2) counteract the shortage of skilled labour. Increased points of contact between the migrant and non-migrant population help to reduce prejudices, which favours the social and professional integration of third-country nationals and overall equal opportunities and exchange between third-country nationals and the host society.
As a result of successful professional integration, local companies also benefit from an increased labour force.

This project is being scientifically monitored and evaluated by the ifo Institute on the basis of a randomised study. The evaluation study, which is part of a doctoral project, is intended to provide evidence-based findings on the impact of the project.

Cooperation with local partners is essential for the implementation of the dialogue formats, particularly in order to facilitate the selection of participants. The focus is on cooperation with:

  • regional employment agencies and IHKs
  • companies and trade unions
  • migrant and diaspora organisations
  • local civil society initiatives and women’s networks.

Project Background

Unemployment and negative sentiment index

The integration of third-country nationals in Germany is largely dependent on two factors, as a recent study by the ifo Institute shows:

  • the level of the local unemployment rate and
  • the attitude of the population towards immigrants.

In the study by Aksoy, Poutvaara and Schikora (2023) entitled ‘First time around: Local conditions and multi-dimensional integration of refugees’, the ifo Centre for Migration and Development Economics comes to the conclusion that attitudes towards immigrants have a similarly strong influence on the integration outcomes of migrants as the local unemployment rate.

Intercultural dialogues

Intercultural dialogue formats that involve relevant local stakeholders, migrant organisations, the host society and authorities can be a suitable approach for better understanding.

The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has relevant experience in this area, which, together with the Timeout Foundation and other organisations, conducted a series of dialogue formats with Finnish citizens and migrants in 2022.
The subsequent analysis of the immigration dialogues shows that a dialogue that promotes trust and integration can help to develop a broader understanding of the immigration experience and improve the economic integration of third-country nationals.

Project measures

Project measure 1 - Dialogue forums

Dialogue formats between employees of local employers and migrants are initiated and carried out with local stakeholders.

There is a particular focus on gender equality in the implementation of the dialogue formats. It is widely recognised that women play a central role in the successful integration of their entire family. At the same time, in addition to their migration background, women have to contend with gender-specific discrimination in the workplace compared to men.

Structure of the dialogue formats

  • The dialogue formats follow the methodology of the Timeout Foundation, which already conducted dialogue formats with
    conducted nationwide dialogue formats with Finnish citizens and migrants on behalf of the Finnish Ministry of the Interior.
  • Dialogue is used as a means of engaging in a constructive and equal conversation, even on topics that are fraught with emotion and conflict.
  • Instead of seeking discussion, participants talk about their own experiences and their point of view. It is about listening to others and accepting and respecting their position.
  • Participants do not have to share the same views at the end of the dialogue. No decisions have to be made either. Nevertheless, a better understanding of the other person and of each other develops.
  • The dialogue events are conducted by experienced dialogue facilitators with up to 40 participants each, divided into two groups of 20.

Participant groups

  • Employers and employees of local companies without a migration background 
  • Migrants with different residence statuses who are legally and permanently resident in Germany and who are of different origins (sufficient knowledge of German required)
  • In particular, female participants with and without a migration background in order to be able to conduct women-only dialogues.

Project measure 2 - Research and accompanying impact evaluation

The ifo Centre for Migration and Development Economics is conducting a rigorous impact evaluation of the project in order to gain evidence-based insights into the effects of the project.

Surveys conducted by the ifo Institute

– Data collection before the dialogues

  • Conducting surveys before the start of the dialogues to collect baseline data
  • Interviews with selected participants to gain qualitative impressions

– Data collection directly after the dialogues

  • Post-dialogue surveys to record direct changes in attitudes, knowledge or behaviour.
  • Collecting feedback on the quality of the dialogues, relevance of the topics and suggestions for improvement

– Long-term monitoring (after one year)

  • Follow-up surveys one year after the dialogues to measure long-term effects
  • Comparison of the results with the initial data to identify developments and trends.

Project Factsheet „Integration through dialogue“

to download

Download Factsheet

Integration through dialogue

Dialogue formats for integration and economic participation of third-country nationals in the host society
– a research-based approach –

Scientific partner

ifo Institute – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich e.V., which has the legal form of a registered association and is recognised as a non-profit organisation, is one of Europe’s leading economic research institutes. It forms a bridge between academic research and public discourse. The focus of its work is on applied economic research with clear political implications and the aim of achieving greater stability, prosperity and cohesion in Europe and the world. Through its five fields of activity – research, promotion of young academics, policy advice, participation in public debates and information and service – the ifo Institute contributes to maintaining and increasing economic prosperity and social participation while taking into account constantly changing framework conditions. The high scientific standard is reflected in the large number of peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals.

The ifo Institute is divided into eleven research areas and currently employs around 200 people. In addition, the ifo Institute has an extensive network of research professors in Germany and abroad. In line with the aim of building a bridge between academic research and practical policy, the ifo Institute focuses on applied and policy-oriented economic research. The research strives for the highest scientific standards with the aim of contributing to policy advice and political debate.

Dialogue project partner

The Timeout Foundation is a non-profit, independent and non-political organization from Finland with the aim of “promoting public trust, civic engagement, democracy and resilience in Finland”.

The Timeout Foundation was founded jointly by major Finnish public and private foundations and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. “We are concerned about the polarization of society and the increasing tensions within society. The ability and willingness to engage in constructive discussion is becoming increasingly important so that we can understand each other despite our different backgrounds,” says Antti Arjava, former Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Timeout Foundation.