New funding program: Support for refugee Ukrainians in Freiburg!

New funding program: Support for refugee Ukrainians in Freiburg!

On April 29, 2025, the University of Freiburg will launch the call for applications for the renowned Alumni Prize for special social commitment. This award aims to recognize outstanding initiatives and projects submitted by students and student initiatives at the university. Particularly noteworthy are initiatives that have campaigned on social issues in recent years. In 2024, the “German course for older people from Ukraine” won this award, while in 2023 a self-help group for those affected by domestic violence, which was founded in 2020, was honored. The award ceremony is a sign of recognition for the commitment of students in the social sector.

Those eligible to apply include not only students who are enrolled at the University of Freiburg at the time of the advertisement, but also active student initiatives. To submit an application, proof of enrollment is required. Proposals can be submitted by June 6, 2025, either to the faculties' alumni representatives or directly to the Alumni Freiburg e.V. office. Only current and voluntary projects will be considered.

Special attention to integration and language

One of the outstanding initiatives to promote social engagement is a voluntary German course for Ukrainian refugees, which was launched in April 2022 by Daria Petrovska, a medical student from Kiev, and Alexander Svirin, a doctoral student at the Slavic Seminar from Moscow. This initiative aims to support Ukrainian citizens who have fled Russian military aggression in learning German. This seemed particularly important because the waiting time for integration courses was up to six months and many refugees wanted to learn the German language as quickly as possible.

During 2023, the course was adapted to the new needs of the target group and relocated to Freiburg. The free course is now aimed specifically at older people and people with disabilities. The initiative has an intensive program designed to help participants make the same progress as in regular language schools. These adaptive measures are evidence of the flexible and needs-oriented commitment of the organizers.

Funding for social projects

There are numerous funding options available to support projects such as the German course or similar initiatives, which are often awarded from Brussels via the federal and state governments. Not only the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) plays a role here, the European Social Fund (ESF) Plus and specific programs for integration through education also offer financial support. These funds aim to promote integration projects, enable training and support the social integration of migrants and refugees.

There are also programs such as “Inclusion helps against exclusion” (EhAP Plus), which focus on people in precarious circumstances. The Federal Employment Agency and various foundations also make important contributions by initiating and financially supporting local projects. In this way, many initiatives can be implemented that deal, among other things, with the integration of refugees, primarily from Ukraine.

Essentially, the funding of these social projects aims to improve the living situation of refugees and give them the opportunity to actively participate in society. With its announcement of the Alumni Prize, the University of Freiburg is sending a clear signal of appreciation for commitment and initiative in society.