Voluntary integration scouts in the Wetterau district mainly help refugees and new immigrants to overcome barriers and bureaucracy. Many integration scouts have their roots in another culture and act as mediators and bridge-builders to the society in the Wetterau region.

Tasks of the integration scouts

If required, integration scouts offer direct topic-specific, culturally sensitive and often multilingual support. For example, they assist people during visits to the public offices and authorities, or in discussions with parents in day-care centers and schools. Their intercultural competence and language skills make them important actors in integration work.

Becoming an integration scout

Integration scouts receive training on topics ranging from intercultural communication to asylum law. After receiving their certificates, they are able to charge an expense allowance of up to 5 euros per hour for their work as integration scouts. In the Wetteraukreis district, the International Center in Friedberg (IZF) trains integration scouts.

Background information

There are integration scouts throughout Hesse. They are financed by the state of Hesse within the framework of the WIR program. Further information can be found at the Hessisches Ministerium für Soziales und Integration (Hessian ministry for social affairs and integration). A brief film offers an insight into the work of the integration scouts.

At the Hessian level, the Diversity Competence Center in Offenbach develops the work of the integration scouts conceptually and supports the work of the responsible bodies.