On behalf of the Roundtable on Refugee Issues, a new guide has been developed on how to handle retroactive charges for utility fees for refugees in municipal shelters. It is intended for volunteers and full-time staff alike and provides a practical overview of the most common questions, possible courses of action, and available support services. It also includes sample letters, checklists, and explanations of key technical terms.
More articles
Call for Proposals: Funding for Migrant Organizations in Cologne
The grant program for the financial support of migrant organizations (MO) in Cologne aims to help support these organizations. In 2026, it consists of two pillars with different thematic focuses: Please review the funding criteria and the following documents: MOs may submit a funding application by September 6, 2026. Please send your application and any questions to mo-foerderung@stadt-koeln.de
Municipal Integration Center Publishes Guide on Anti-Racist Organizational Development
Laws prohibit discrimination in the workplace—including on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, or worldview. But what does that mean in practice? How can a team position itself effectively in this regard and honestly address the question of how racism and anti-Semitism influence its own structure, decision-making, and communication? Since 2020, the Cologne Municipal Integration Center (KI Köln) has been taking the following approach: As part of an organizational development process critical of racism (RKOE), the team of about 50 members has set itself the goal of gradually eliminating discrimination in order to create fairer and more effective services for people with international family backgrounds and to promote a healthy work environment for everyone. What began with initial workshops on the fundamentals of anti-racism has led to a noticeable cultural shift over the years. Especially in the early days, however, the RKOE was marked by uncertainties, doubts, and fears: Are we racist or anti-Semitic? Won’t the process divide the entire team? What…
Multilingual health events Intercultural centers 2026
From May to October 2026, the intercultural centers will once again be holding multilingual health events in various city districts, with the main topic this year being „addiction“. Further information on the Intercultural Centers and their services can be found here: Intercultural Centers Cologne - All centers and an overview map for Cologne
