All Publications

A matter of trust: Why the German Armed Forces need more people with a migrant background

Policy Brief | October 2025

The changing geopolitical landscape has heightened the security policy significance of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). To fulfill its mission, the Bundeswehr must significantly increase its troop strength. But how much do individuals with and without a migrant background trust the Bundeswehr? To address this question, the SVR's scientific staff has analyzed data from the 2024 Integration Barometer, which for the first time assessed trust in the Bundeswehr, in its latest policy brief.

The findings reveal that around eight out of ten respondents with a migration background express trust in the Bundeswehr, stating they trust it “completely” or “somewhat” (77 percent). This sentiment is especially pronounced among the 15 to 25 age group. In contrast, only 68 percent of individuals without a migration background report similar levels of trust.

Diaspora and more. Civil society engagement of Afghan and Syrian communities in Germany

Study | July 2025

In recent years, Afghans and Syrians have been among the largest groups of refugees seeking protection in Germany. They have founded numerous organisations that work on behalf of their respective communities or countries of origin. The civil society involvement of refugees is only beginning to be recognised in policymaking and research. The SVR's scientific staff interviewed Afghan and Syrian organisations in Germany about their work. As the study shows, the organisations undertake a broad spectrum of activities. The study provides an overview of their history, special features, potential and challenges. Differences and parallels between Afghan and Syrian organisations are also addressed.

The study is part of the research project ‘Transnational Networks and Civil Society Activities in the Context of Forced Migration: The Afghan and Syrian Communities in Germany’.

Unlocking Hidden Potential: Facilitating Career Entry for International Professionals in Day Care Centres and Schools

Policy Brief | May 2025

Germany is facing a pronounced shortage of skilled workers in day care centres and schools. Immigrant educational professionals could make a significant contribution to closing this gap and making day care centres and schools more sensitive to diversity. However, they face numerous hurdles to entering the profession.

The policy brief examines the potential of teachers and educators qualified abroad and identifies challenges on their path into educational practice. It evaluates the integration and support measures taken to date, highlights examples of good practice and formulates recommendations for action to improve the recognition procedures and create prospects for qualified employment.

Young and diverse, but not yet politically engaged? Pathways to greater participation for young people with an immigration history

Study | March 2025

A new study by the scientific staff of the Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR) has examined the opportunities and obstacles to political participation for young people with a migrant background between the ages of 15 and 35. In addition to a lack of political education, the main hurdles identified were difficult access to politics and a lack of representation for their own group. In order to improve participation, political education work in schools and extracurricular contexts is crucial; role models in politics are just as beneficial as anti-racism and anti-discrimination work.

‘Who’s in charge here?’ Federal associations of migrant organisations: a navigation aid

Study | November 2024

There are currently 36 federal associations of migrant organisations (MO associations for short) in Germany, which are diverse in terms of content and structure. The SVR's scientific staff has now presented a new study that systematises this diversity and develops a typology of MO associations active at federal level. Under the title ‘Who’s in charge here? Federal associations of migrant organisations: a navigation aid’, the study provides an overview of how the profiles of the individual types of MO associations differ and for which forms of political consultation and cooperation they are particularly recommended.

To this end, following an inventory of MO associations at federal level, their websites were qualitatively evaluated. The focus was on the respective mission statements, claims of representation and practical work priorities (in particular project work). In addition, background discussions were held with representatives of MO federal associations and the federal administration. The analysis shows that, on the one hand, MO associations can be classified as part of the general association system, but on the other hand they have certain special features. The study explains how cooperation between the state and MO associations could be further developed in a type-specific manner and also discusses various options for MO federal associations to reduce their current high dependence on public funding.

Arrived and transnationally connected: Afghan immigrants in Germany

Study | October 2024

The number of Afghans living in Germany has increased significantly over the last decade as a result of refugee arrivals. Many are still at the beginning of their integration process, but given the situation in Afghanistan, it is likely that they will remain in Germany for the long run. At the same time, they maintain transnational connections to their country of origin. As part of the research project “Transnational Networks and Civil Society Activities in the Context of Forced Migration: Afghan and Syrian Communities in Germany”, the SVR's scientific staff researched the experiences of Afghan immigrants in Germany: How have they settled in Germany? What challenges do they face? What do their social networks in Germany look like and what connections do they have to Afghanistan?

The survey offers initial insights into the lived realities and transnational ties of the Afghan community. The data, which was collected via an online survey, also allows for a comparison between Afghan immigrants who moved to Germany after the Taliban took power in 2021 and those who have been living in Germany for longer. The study contributes to a better understanding of arrival processes and transnational dynamics in the context of refugee migration and thus provides contextual information about the experiences of an important immigrant group in Germany.

Refugee country as a new home: Naturalisation of refugees after the reform of German citizenship law

Policy Brief | September 2024

What experiences do refugees have with naturalisation? How does this affect their further integration and participation in society? What opportunities and hurdles does the reform of citizenship law, which came into force on 27 June 2024, present? These and other questions are the focus of the research project ‘Naturalisation as an “integration booster” for refugees’ by the SVR's scientific staff. The background to this is also the current naturalisation boom: a new high of over 200,000 naturalisations was reached in 2023. This increase is primarily due to refugees, who increasingly fulfil the criteria for naturalisation and show a particularly high level of interest in becoming naturalised compared to other immigrants. The project is funded by Stiftung Mercator and will run until 2026. An initial policy brief summarises the existing knowledge and identifies gaps in research.