Many of today’s most pressing social issues are of transnational nature: climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, migration, and refugee movements do not stop at national borders. At the same time, there is growing mistrust in the problem-solving capacity of democracy and of the European Union. Creative, democratic, sustainable, and effective approaches are needed to find answers to challenges such as the increasing economic and social inequality, an inhumane migration and refugee policy and the climate crisis. Municipalities can play an important part in solving these issues. They are directly confronted with the impacts of global challenges and are forced to develop sustainable solutions locally.
The Municipal Integration and Development Initiative (MIDI) therefore starts at the local level. We develop governance concepts in which municipalities play a central role. Jointly shaping participatory municipal development is essential to find satisfactory and equitable solutions to the complex challenges posed by globalisation.
MIDI currently has two main focus points: Within Germany, a concept for Municipal Development Councils has been developed and is currently being tested in a pilot project in Herne. On a EU-level, MIDI has been engaged in migration politics and especially in concepts of improvement in the reception and integration of refugees in Europe as a joint municipal development.
European migration and asylum policy has been at an impasse for years. While the European Union and its member states are unable or unwilling to find solutions, more and more cities and municipalities are ready to take in those seeking protection. These welcoming municipalities are growing in number and stand for a welcoming Europe that respects human rights and protects human lives.
Europe urgently needs a medium and long-term strategy that does not frame the arrival of refugees as a threat and a crisis but emphasizes the opportunities that come with newcomers. In this project, we pursue a participatory and municipal asylum and refugee policy that builds on the many welcoming municipalities. We aim to decentralise the European asylum and refugee policy and bring it in line with European values. Simultaneously, democracy and participation at the local level should be strengthened.
The voluntary reception and integration of refugees offers an opportunity to shape the development of a municipality in an inclusive, safe, sustainable, and participatory way.
