Lüken-Klaßen, Doris

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Stuttgart.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Arnsberg.

In 2006, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the city of Stuttgart and Eurofound formed the ‘European network of cities for local integration policies' (CLIP). This fourth and final module of the CLIP project looks at ethnic entrepreneurship. The general aim of this module is to explore the development of ethnic entrepreneurship and to review the role of policy interventions in that process. It is motivated by the desire of municipal, national and European governments as well as third sector institutions, who want to create an environment that is conducive to setting up and developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and ethnic businesses in particular. This case study was carried out in Frankfurt.

European cities have become increasingly diverse in ethnic and religious terms. This creates opportunities for cultural innovativeness and international competitiveness. However, the growing diversity in the local population makes influencing and managing intergroup relations and developing intercultural policies major challenges for cities. By looking at the major needs in intergroup relations, the responses taken to meet these needs, and cities’ efforts to improve attitudes and relations between majority and minority groups, this report aims to support the exchange of experience and learning between cities.

Urban populations have become increasingly heterogeneous in ethnic, cultural and religious terms. These multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious structures challenge the ability of municipalities to establish or maintain peaceful relations among the different segments of the population. The third module of the CLIP project focuses on the relations between different groups in the city, as well as local policies established to deal with these relations, and the way in which representatives of migrant associations, religious communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) assess the local activities. This case study was carried out in Stuttgart, Germany.

Urban populations have become increasingly heterogeneous in ethnic, cultural and religious terms. These multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious structures challenge the ability of municipalities to establish or maintain peaceful relations among the different segments of the population. The third module of the CLIP project focuses on the relations between different groups in the city, as well as local policies established to deal with these relations, and the way in which representatives of migrant associations, religious communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) assess the local activities. This case study was carried out in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Migrant integration in Arnsberg has primarily taken place by opening up the core institutions, such as the education system and the labour market, to migrants and by including migrants in the national welfare system. With regard to the housing market, this means that non-Germans have the same legal rights as Germans to apply for housing assistance. The most important measures for low income households have been the availability of council flats and the housing allowance. Socio-spatially, foreigners have been well integrated into city life. However, some segregated housing areas do exist, and numerous concepts, measures and initiatives have been introduced to combat this problem.

As early as the 1960s, due to its industrial facilities, Frankfurt became one of the first main destinations for guest workers. Today, almost 161,000 foreigners from 130 countries live in Frankfurt, accounting for one quarter of the city’s population. Frankfurt’s housing market, particularly in the lower price ranges, is extremely competitive. As a result of the (on average) low income level of Frankfurt’s migrants, they frequently have less housing space than inhabitants without a migration background. Migrants also tend to live in neighbourhoods with comparatively bad housing environments. However, in general, ethnic segregation is relatively low owing to the efforts of the Housing Office and housing companies to actively prevent segregation over a long period of time.

Stuttgart has about 600,000 inhabitants, almost a quarter of whom are foreigners and 40% have a migration background. In this prosperous city, the integration of migrants has primarily taken place through structural integration into the labour market. The city included migrants in the general welfare state and social policy system. Concerning the housing market, this means that non-Germans have the same legal rights as Germans to apply for housing assistance. The most important measures in Stuttgart for low-income households are council flats and the housing allowance. The city also supports affordable homeownership for families, a programme often used by migrants.

Tallinn’s population composition differs significantly from that of Western European cities in that Russian-speaking residents make up about half of its population. Only in the 1990s did the question of the integration of residents with Russian ethnicity into Estonian society arise. In 2000, the state programme ‘Integration into Estonian Society 2000–2007’ was adopted; which was followed by the ‘Integration Strategy 2008–2013’. Both the state programme and the Integration Strategy emphasise Estonian language proficiency for ‘Russians’. In the end of 2007, the city of Tallinn started to develop its own municipal integration policy intended to ensure equal opportunities for all. A diversity approach in personnel policy has not been implemented yet. In terms of service provision, by contrast, one should highlight a specific service: in order to facilitate access to municipal services by residents with Russian ethnicity, the city provides every official publication and every service in Russian as well in Estonian.