In the page's words:

For eight years, the Forum for Welcome Culture - a cooperation project between the Cologne Volunteer Agency and the Cologne Refugee Council - and the Melanchthon Academy have been inviting all those involved in refugee work to regular networking meetings. Here, committed people can exchange ideas, network and make a greater impact together.

When: 12.03.2025, 19:00 - 21:15
Where: House of the Protestant Church, Kartäusergasse 9-11, 50678 Cologne
Registration: Link

All those involved in refugee work, whether from welcome initiatives, tandem projects, alone or integrated into structures, as well as all those interested in getting involved are cordially invited!

After an arrival and exchange in plenary, we invite you to a small evening snack. We will then move on to the sessions.

This time, the topics are "Payment card in Cologne" (introduced by Angelika Wuttke, B.O. Politik); "Fundraising for welcome initiatives" (Elke Böhme-Barz, fundraiser at the Cologne Volunteer Agency) and "How can we empower people in a threatening situation?" (Stella Shcherbatova). (Stella Shcherbatova, NS-DOK, psychologist).

Session 1: "Payment card in Cologne" (Angelika Wuttke, B.O. Politik)
It has been clear since December 2024: NRW is introducing the payment card for refugees - with an opt-out option, i.e. the municipalities can decide not to introduce it. Cologne is planning to do this, but the payment card will be available at the initial reception center (EAE) on Schönhauser Straße, which is operated by the state of NRW. In order to support those affected, an exchange platform is to be set up for Cologne and the surrounding area - based on existing initiatives in Hamburg or Munich. Angelika Wuttke from B.O. Politik will present the idea and together we will consider how it can be implemented in Cologne.

Session 2: "Fundraising for welcome initiatives" (Elke Böhme-Barz, fundraiser at the Cologne Volunteer Agency)
Following the discontinuation of KOMM -AN funding, many initiatives are dependent on other forms of support. The big question: How can I find other, ideally long-term funding? Elke Böhme-Barz, a long-standing expert in the field of fundraising, will give an overview of possible sources of funding, approaches and tips & tricks for fundraising. If there is interest, there will be follow-up workshops to support the introduction of sustainable fundraising. Keynote speaker: Elke Böhme-Barz, fundraiser at the Cologne Volunteer Agency

Session 3: "How can we empower people in a threatening situation?" (Stella Shcherbatova, NS-DOK, psychologist)
The electoral success of right-wing extremists, the virulence of racism or the high approval ratings for anti-Semitic statements in attitude and opinion polls - democracy is in danger. However, people can feel very differently about current developments, depending on how they are positioned. How do people actually or potentially affected by racism and anti-Semitism and threatened by these phenomena experience the current threats? How can we support and empower people in a threatening situation? Stella Shcherbatova offers support and counseling services for those threatened and affected by anti-Semitism at the Department against Anti-Semitism of the NS Documentation Center of the City of Cologne and will focus on the topic of the session against this background.