Integration prize from the government of Upper Franconia goes to Hof

In 2024, the government of Upper Franconia will once again award the Integration Prize for successful integration work. The prize is awarded to initiatives that successfully help people with foreign roots gain a foothold in the region and familiarize locals with foreign cultures. Sustainable, successful and, in particular, voluntary activities that support the integration of fellow citizens with a migration background in Upper Franconia in an exemplary manner can be proposed. The Integration Commissioner of the Bavarian State Government, MdL Karl Straub, and the District President of Upper Franconia, Florian Luderschmid, presented this year's Integration Award on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, in the main conference room of the Government of Upper Franconia. The prize money totaling 7,000 euros is provided by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior, Sport and Integration for the recognition of civic engagement in the field of integration.

In addition to the Evangelische Jugendsozialarbeit Hof e.V. (EJSA) with its "International Girls' and Women's Center" project, the following organizations also received awards: Regionalcaritasverband Bamberg-Forchheim (project "Anlaufstelle St. Josef/Hain"), Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Nikodemuskirche Bayreuth (project "kids-Treff"), Stadt Coburg (project "Sprach Café").

Evangelische Jugendsozialarbeit Hof e.V. (EJSA)

"International Girls' and Women's Center" project

The International Girls' and Women's Center in the Bahnhofsviertel district of Hof has been in existence since 1989 and offers a wide range of support for the residents of the district. The "Hofer Kidspoint" is aimed at children between the ages of seven and eleven and promotes awareness of how to deal with food through nature experiences in the EJSA's "Intercultural Garden". The low-threshold "German language mediation" service supports women who have no access to German courses, particularly due to a lack of childcare. The creative get-together enables mothers with a migration background to interact with German women. In addition, the "Welcome to Hof" project was launched in 2022 to support Ukrainian refugees. As part of the "Warm feet - warm heart" campaign, over 430 pairs of knitted socks, hats and scarves were collected and sent to the Ukrainians in 2023. Since 2011, the EJSA association has also been responsible for the overall program of the Intercultural Weeks in Hof and organizes the kick-off event.

Further information and the laudatory speeches can be found at: www.regierung.oberfranken.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle_meldungen/2024/am036/