Integration prize goes to Werdau, Plauen and Dresden

The Ministry of Social Affairs and the Saxon Commissioner for Foreigners Geert Mackenroth presented three initiatives from Saxony with the 15th Integration Award on Monday. "With this award, we are making integration work visible: from the care of new arrivals to incredibly creative offers and the involvement of family members of recruited skilled workers," said Mackenroth. A total of 75 clubs, associations and initiatives applied for the integration prize.

The award went to the water rescue association of the Koberbachtalsperre Langenhessen in Werdau. The association was part of the Werdau helper group in 2015 and again at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Around 40 members of the water rescue team were recruited from the ranks of Ukrainian refugees alone.

The Netzwerk international e.V. from Plauen also received an award. The network has been involved in recruiting, selecting, hiring, language teaching and social integration since 2018.

The Paradise Orchestra "Paradiesisch Musizieren", which was founded at the Evangelische Hochschule Dresden in 2015, was also honored. The orchestra welcomes refugees to Dresden and creates a safe place to make music.

"The many award-worthy and exemplary applications for the prize show that the commitment of the population in this area is still very high," said Saxony's Minister of Social Affairs Petra Köpping (SPD). She thanked the volunteers for their courage, their creativity and the strength they bring to this important social task.