Here today, gone tomorrow? Regional approaches to retaining immigrant workers and skilled personnel in the long term (January 2026 – December 2027)

Germany is dependent on skilled immigration in the long term – but many immigrant workers and skilled professionals leave the country or individual regions after a short time. Rural and structurally weak areas in particular face major challenges: they must offer immigrants not only good job opportunities, but also attractive living conditions. At the same time, there is a lack of practical knowledge on how retention strategies can be differentiated regionally and successfully implemented.

The research project conducted by the SVR’s scientific staff therefore examines which regional factors – from welcoming structures and social participation to family-friendly services – are decisive for long-term retention and how local authorities, businesses, and civil society can jointly develop effective measures. The analysis combines international examples of good practice with a systematic evaluation of regional starting points in Germany. In three selected model regions, these findings are then validated in dialogue forums with local actors and supplementary interviews with immigrants and further developed into practical concepts.

The aim of the project, which is funded by the Mercator Foundation, is to identify starting points for regionally adapted retention strategies, to test concrete cooperation models in practice, and to develop practical materials – such as guidelines, checklists, or toolkits – for municipal and regional stakeholder groups. The findings and recommendations will be published in a scientific study and made available to a broader professional audience at a conference.

Contact persons

Julia Schumann
Researcher
Tel: +49 30 288 86 59 – 36
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Dr. Jan Schneider
Head of Research Unit
Tel: +49 30 288 86 59 – 22
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