Savings pressure - Language and integration courses are being put to the test
The language and integration courses for migrants are under review. This was announced in government circles in Berlin. The planned funds for this are expected to decrease from the current 1.1 billion Euro to 500 million Euro, a reduction of more than half. The background is also the decreasing migration. However, Berlin also hopes for EU commission funds due to the fact that Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic have taken in particularly many Ukrainian refugees. In a general integration course, there are six language course modules and an orientation part, making a total of 700 teaching hours.
The budget of the Federal Ministry of the Interior for the coming year is currently planned to be 13.75 billion Euro, as stated in government circles, compared to 13.34 billion Euro in the current year. An increase is planned for the security authorities. So, the Federal Police is to receive an additional 417 million Euro, the Federal Criminal Office 115 million Euro more, and the Federal Office for Disaster Management and Civil Protection approximately 72 million Euro more.
The new developments result from the basic principles of the budget draft for 2025, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) agreed on in the past week. The cabinet is to approve the draft on the coming Wednesday, and the federal budget will then be finally negotiated and passed in the parliament.
Afghanistan Programme to expire
The Federal Acceptance Programme for particularly endangered Afghan women and men is to expire. Those who already have a confirmation and are outside Afghanistan may still come. However, no new confirmations are planned. Since the takeover of power by the Taliban in Afghanistan in August 2021, particularly endangered Afghan women and men can come to Germany under this programme. It is aimed at persons who are particularly exposed due to their work for women's rights and human rights or their activities in the fields of justice, politics, media, education, culture, sport, or science.
Federal Office for Migration and Refugees on Integration Courses
- Despite the potential decrease in funding for language and integration courses for migrants in Berlin, the Federal Ministry of the Interior still hopes to secure funds from the EU Commission due to the high number of Ukrainian refugees Germany, along with Poland and the Czech Republic, has taken in.
- The proposed reduction in funding for integration courses may impact the 700 teaching hours of the general integration course, which includes six language course modules and an orientation part.
- Nancy Faeser, a member of the German government circle, acknowledged the need for reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of these courses in light of the decreasing migration rates.
- In contrast, the budget for internal security authorities, including the Federal Police, Federal Criminal Office, and Federal Office for Disaster Management and Civil Protection, is set to increase for the upcoming year.
- The SPD, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has agreed on the basic principles of the budget draft for 2025, which also includes plans for additional funds for the Federal Police and other security authorities.
- The Czech Republic and Germany are key partners in welcoming and integrating Ukrainian refugees, with Germany anticipating support from the EU Commission due to its significant contributions.
- The expiration of the Federal Acceptance Programme for Afghan women and men will not impact those who have already received confirmations and are living outside of Afghanistan.
- However, no new confirmations will be issued, indicating a shift in priorities and resources within the German government circuit, emphasizing the need for internal security and budget adjustments in response to current global events.
