Offenbach is launching a pioneering project that gives young people an active role in shaping the city's integration policy. Under the title "IntegraTI! - Integration: A matter that concerns YOU", the CGIL-Bildungswerk e.V., in cooperation with the JUMINA project, will enable Offenbach school pupils to draw up concrete proposals for the further development of the city's integration concept.
The project kicked off with a preparatory meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Offenbach City Hall, where Martin Wilhelm, Head of Social Affairs and Integration, personally welcomed the young people. This meeting also served as preparation for the city-wide kick-off event "Diversity and participation in Offenbach - civil society and the city working hand in hand to create a concept for diversity and participation" on November 22, 2025.
"We want to gradually introduce Offenbach schoolchildren from families with a history of migration to the awareness that they can be active co-creators of their current and future living environment in Offenbach," explains Elisabetta Fortunato, project manager of the JUMINA project.
Project manager Elisabetta FortunatoAt the end of the project, they should not only be multipliers for diversity and participation, but also sensitize adults to the needs of Offenbach's youth.
Head of Social Affairs and Integration Martin Wilhelm emphasizes the central importance of the project: "Your involvement in this project is particularly important to me. After all, as young people, you are actively helping to shape what our future Offenbach will look like." In his welcoming address, Wilhelm emphasized Offenbach's diversity as a strength: "When different groups discuss with each other, sometimes disagree or seem to argue - that doesn't mean that integration has failed. On the contrary! It shows that people feel safe enough to express their opinions and stand up for their convictions. That is a strong sign of successful participation!"
The "IntegraTI!" project is aimed at around 17 pupils in Years 9 to 11 at the Albert Schweitzer School and the IGS Lindenfeld School and will run from November 2025 to October 2026. Accompanied by two teachers from the JUMINA project, the young people will take part in various modules.
Planned activities
- Meeting with the city's integration officer and discussion about the importance of integration.
- Participation in the kick-off event "Diversity and participation in Offenbach".
- Workshops to work on the integration concept with a focus on aspects relevant to young people.
- Extracurricular educational programs with local companies.
- Intergenerational cooking and exchange meetings with members of the Offenbach Senior Citizens' Council.
- Intercultural company exploration of the municipal administration in Offenbach town hall as a potential employer.
"Our previous integration concept from 2004 is no longer fully up to current realities. That's why Offenbach needs a new, comprehensive 'Concept for Diversity and Participation' - and your project is a central building block on this path," says Head of Department Wilhelm. "You are the experts of your living environment. Your perspectives, your experiences and your ideas are not only welcome, they are crucial for shaping our future coexistence in Offenbach."
The "IntegraTI!" project is funded by the City of Offenbach with 2,930 euros and sees itself as an important contribution to promoting the social participation and integration of young people in Offenbach. The completion of the project is honored with the presentation of a certificate of participation by the head of the social affairs department. Press and public relations work is supported by the Offenbach Press Office.
About the CGIL-Bildungswerk e.V. and JUMINA:
The CGIL-Bildungswerk e.V. - Centro di cultura e formazione - is the sponsor of the JUMINA project ("Young People in Training"). JUMINA is a cooperation project with the state education authority for the district of Offenbach and the city of Offenbach am Main. It aims to improve the chances of young people with and without a migration background on the job market. JUMINA is active at four schools in Offenbach and reaches 400 to 500 pupils each year.