Integration in Horst: Refugees shine with success stories!

Integration in Horst: Refugees shine with success stories!

In Horst, a quiet town in Schleswig-Holstein, two refugee women, Maryam Partovi and Anya Engel, play a key role in the integration of newcomers. They not only coordinate support for refugees, but also the voluntary work of around 30 helpers in the community. Their commitment is part of a larger social phenomenon that has taken hold in civil society since the number of refugees rose sharply in 2015. The pressure on state structures increased and more and more citizens decided to actively help. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education This shows that society is open to migration.

Two prominent examples in Horst are Frishta and Smko, an Iraqi couple who fled to Germany in 2015. They now live in the city with their two sons – 14 and 20 years old – and show how integration can be successful. Smko has completed training as a mechatronics engineer and works in Elmshorn, while Frishta manages the branch of a bakery. These success stories make it clear that many refugees are willing to actively contribute to life in Germany. However, integration is not always easy. The UNHCR explains that the early integration of refugees into daily life is crucial for successful integration. That's why Partovi and Engel advise newcomers in important areas such as housing, language support, work, health and education.

Challenges and successes

Despite the positive developments, there are challenges to overcome. Sönke Reimers, head of the Horst-Herzhorn office, expresses concerns about the lack of financial resources for integration measures. The migration In Schleswig-Holstein the number of registered protection seekers increased to around 3,000 in the first half of 2025. The current situation shows that integration numbers have increased since 2015, but some schools and employers still report discrimination during the application process.

Frishta and Smko's two sons are on the right track. The 20-year-old is training to become a truck mechatronics engineer and even has the goal of joining the police. This makes it clear that integration is not only a responsibility of refugees, but also of society. Everyone can do their part. Involvement in voluntary refugee work has developed into a mass phenomenon in recent years, with around one in ten people over the age of 14 becoming active to help refugees.

A look into the future

With the continuous support from volunteers and the existing efforts to improve integration, there is a good chance that refugees like Frishta and Smko can continue to be successfully integrated. The Federal Agency for Civic Education points to volunteers' frustrations with political hurdles and the need to improve government support.

It remains to be hoped that the legislative framework will soon be readjusted to ensure sustainable integration. Ultimately, integration is not only a task for immigrants, but also an opportunity for the host society to benefit from a diverse and dynamic community. It will therefore remain exciting to see how integration will develop in the coming period.