Vienna is a city of immigration, and immigration requires integration. However, this is not a process that happens all by itself but needs commitment by both the host society and the immigrants. While we expect new migrants to adapt to their new country as quickly as possible, the host society needs to provide them with useful and prompt information about their new living environment. A systematic approach to integration is needed and should start as soon as possible after the new migrants’ arrival. Before the start of StartWien there was no other project in Austria to provide prompt orientation, and clear and competent information to new migrants in their mother tongues. It was therefore deemed necessary to create a system with a broad basis and excellent coordination among all players in the area of integration to consider the needs of new migrants in great detail, and allow the city to underline the importance of integration from the very beginning.
The StartWien project supports migrants in adjusting to their new living environment in Vienna. The service is tailored to the individual needs of the following people:
- third-country nationals who are older than 14 years of age and come to Austria as family members of Austrian or third-country nationals, and are obliged to prove their A2 level German language skills within two years of their arrival in Austria (since 2008);
- EEA nationals and their third-country family members who hold a certain type of residence permit and are not obliged to learn German (since 2011);
- asylum seekers, people eligible for asylum, people with subsidiary protection status (since 2015).
The immigration office informs migrants about the possibility of an initial coaching session with MA 17 when presenting them with their residence permit.
- The start coaching session takes place at the immigration office after the migrants receive their residence permit (one-stop shop).
- The start coaching session is offered in 26 different languages. The first information session is particularly important to understand the most important first steps that need to be taken, such as the use of language vouchers. Migrants are also supported in finding a suitable German language course (database on www.startwien.at).
- During the initial coaching session, new migrants also receive the Vienna Education Booklet. It contains three language vouchers in the amount of €300 for third-country nationals and €150 for EEA nationals. They can be used to pay for classes offered by certified German language course providers if there are stamps on the back confirming the participation in information modules.
- Information modules in different languages (including childcare) are provided. The topics presented are education, housing, living together, working environment, questions regarding residence permits, profession recognition of qualifications, self-employment and business start-ups.
The project website www.startwien.at provides information about the services, German language courses, etc. in many languages.
The aim of StartWien Refugees is integration from day one. Refugees can attend up to five StartWien information modules: education, healthcare, housing, social affairs and living together. Vienna Charter Talks are held in refugee accommodation to discuss topics such as democracy, rule of law, human rights, basic rights, and women and children’s rights. The talks are moderated in the mother tongues.
StartWien has reached about 87% of new migrants. Since the start of the project, more than 35 000 language vouchers, financed by MA 17, have been redeemed. About 53 000 people have participated in around 2200 information modules in total.