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Diversity Training for Entrepreneurs with a Migrant Background

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1. Introduction

Entrepreneurs with a migrant background in Germany often make valuable contributions to the economy through innovation, job creation, and intercultural perspectives. At the same time, many face particular challenges in their professional environment, especially in relation to intercultural communication, knowledge of German workplace culture, and familiarity with the structures and expectations of the German labour market.

In response to these challenges, AfricanTide developed support activities aimed at strengthening intercultural competence and improving communication between migrant entrepreneurs and their professional environments. Diversity training was identified as an effective approach for addressing these barriers and promoting better understanding, inclusion, and cooperation.

2. Background and Rationale

For many entrepreneurs with a migrant background, success in the German business environment depends not only on technical knowledge or entrepreneurial talent, but also on the ability to navigate cultural expectations, workplace norms, and communication styles. Limited familiarity with German institutional, social, and professional contexts can lead to misunderstandings, communication difficulties, and missed opportunities in the labour market.

These intercultural communication challenges can affect business relationships, customer relations, cooperation with institutions, and integration into professional networks. They may also hinder entrepreneurs in fully developing their business potential.

Because of its experience as a migrant self-organisation, AfricanTide was repeatedly approached by companies seeking support in dealing with intercultural questions and communication-related challenges. This demonstrated both the need for practical diversity training and the important role AfricanTide could play as an intermediary between migrant communities and the wider professional environment.

3. Project Objective

The project aimed to support entrepreneurs with a migrant background by improving their intercultural communication skills and strengthening their understanding of German cultural and labour market contexts.

More specifically, the project sought to:

  • increase awareness of intercultural differences in communication and professional interaction;
  • strengthen participants’ understanding of German workplace culture and labour market structures;
  • reduce misunderstandings and communication barriers;
  • promote more effective cooperation between migrant entrepreneurs, companies, and institutions;
  • and support the successful professional integration and long-term development of migrant-led businesses.

4. Target Group

The primary target group of the project consisted of entrepreneurs with a migrant background in Germany who faced challenges in navigating intercultural communication and adapting to the German labour market environment.

A secondary target group included companies and institutions seeking guidance in working more effectively with migrant entrepreneurs and in developing more inclusive and diversity-sensitive forms of cooperation.

5. Project Approach

The project used diversity training as a practical and solution-oriented method for addressing intercultural communication problems. These trainings were intended to create greater awareness of cultural differences, reduce prejudice and misunderstanding, and build participants’ confidence in professional interaction.

AfricanTide Union e.V. contributed its experience and expertise as a migrant self-organisation to bridge gaps between migrant entrepreneurs and mainstream institutions. In this role, the organisation helped facilitate dialogue, mutual understanding, and more constructive working relationships.

The project approach was based on the understanding that integration into the labour market is not a one-sided process. Rather, it requires both migrant entrepreneurs and the wider professional environment to develop stronger intercultural competence and openness.

6. Activities

Within the framework of the project, AfricanTide offered support to address intercultural communication issues and labour market-related challenges. Activities focused on:

  • raising awareness of German cultural norms and professional expectations;
  • strengthening communication strategies in intercultural settings;
  • supporting mutual understanding between entrepreneurs and institutions;
  • and providing practical guidance based on the needs expressed by companies and migrant participants.

Through these activities, the project created a space in which communication problems could be addressed constructively and participants could build the competences needed for more effective professional interaction.

7. Outcomes and Impact

The project contributed to a better understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs with a migrant background and highlighted the importance of diversity training as an instrument for successful integration and professional participation.

It helped to:

  • improve awareness of intercultural communication issues;
  • strengthen the confidence of migrant entrepreneurs in dealing with German institutions and professional structures;
  • support more inclusive cooperation between companies and migrant-led businesses;
  • and underline the role of migrant self-organisations as important partners in labour market integration.

The experience of AfricanTide Union e.V. in this field also demonstrated that practical intercultural support can make an important contribution to reducing structural barriers and creating more equal opportunities in the labour market.

8. Conclusion

The project showed that diversity training is an effective and necessary response to intercultural communication challenges faced by entrepreneurs with a migrant background in Germany. By combining practical support, intercultural awareness, and institutional cooperation, AfricanTide helped create better conditions for integration, participation, and professional success.

At the same time, the project confirmed the value of migrant self-organisations as trusted and competent actors in promoting dialogue, reducing barriers, and supporting sustainable inclusion in the labour market.

Posted in Education, Migration

Dynamic – Corporate Training for Diversity and Gender Equality

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Implemented in Hamburg, the project Dynamic provided tailored training and continuing education programmes for companies with the aim of promoting inclusive, discrimination-free, and sustainable workplace development. The project responded to the need for stronger awareness of structural inequalities in professional environments and supported companies in creating fairer access to information, knowledge, and professional networks for all employees.

A central element of the project was the integration of gender equality as a cross-cutting principle. Through its customised training approach, Dynamic helped companies reflect on existing workplace structures, strengthen equal participation, and promote more gender-sensitive and inclusive organisational practices. In doing so, the project combined professional capacity-building with practical support for long-term organisational change.

Overall, Dynamic contributed to the development of more diverse, equitable, and future-oriented workplace cultures in Hamburg and highlighted the importance of linking professional training with equality and inclusion goals.

Posted in Education, Sustainable Development, Women & Gender

Give Women More Space!

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Since its founding in 2007, AfricanTide has organized an event every year to mark International Women’s Day. In 2016, however, the organisation deliberately expanded this tradition into a full week of action. This decision was shaped by the increased urgency of women’s rights in the public debate, particularly following the events in Cologne on New Year’s Eve 2015/16 and in light of the growing diversity of women’s communities in Dortmund due to the arrival of refugees.

Based on this, AfricanTide organized a comprehensive programme aimed at empowering women with and without migration backgrounds and enabling them to claim their place in society together. The 2016 programme reflected the broad range of women’s engagement across the city and wider society and sought to encourage women to participate actively in social life.

The event series was held under the theme “Give Women More Space!” and offered a holistic framework designed to reach women from diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. The aim was to bring women into dialogue with one another, reduce prejudice, promote mutual learning, foster culture and solidarity, and help women reclaim and shape social spaces together.

The week opened with a lecture on women’s rights in Islam, entitled “Myths and Facts about Women in Islam.” The event aimed to challenge stereotypes, foster greater understanding of Muslim women, address the multiple forms of discrimination faced by Muslim women, and highlight portraits of successful Muslim women in society. The speaker was the Islamic studies scholar Fatima Houari.

The programme continued with an excursion to the Women’s Museum in Bonn, where participants visited an exhibition on violence against women. The exhibition had originally been developed in preparation for the 2002 International Conference “Ending Violence against Women and Girls – Strengthening Human Rights,” for which participants from all world regions had contributed their perspectives and associations.

On the third day, AfricanTide Union e.V. hosted a film evening featuring the movie “Geliebtes Leben” (Beloved Life), which addressed the struggle against AIDS in Africa and opened space for reflection and discussion on health, gender, and social challenges.

The fourth day featured a workshop on mindfulness and stress management under the title “Paint Your Stress Away!” Guided by an art therapist, women came together in a creative setting to relieve everyday stress, express themselves artistically, and experience shared relaxation and empowerment.

On the fifth day, a cooking competition was organised. The challenge of this activity was to explore the many different roles food plays across cultures while also learning new skills together. This event created a lively and participatory environment in which intercultural exchange and creativity could flourish.

The week concluded with a large closing event, which brought participants together once more to celebrate the shared experiences of the programme and the strength, diversity, and solidarity of women in Dortmund.

Overall, International Women’s Week 2016 provided an important platform for empowerment, dialogue, and intercultural exchange. Through its varied programme, AfricanTide Union e.V. succeeded in creating spaces in which women from different backgrounds could meet, learn from one another, challenge prejudice, and strengthen their role in society.

Posted in Women & Gender

Education and Participation package

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Join In! Tips and Guidance on the Education and Participation Package

Through this project, AfricanTide Union e.V. supported migrant families in gaining better access to the German Education and Participation Package (Bildungs- und Teilhabepaket), which provides assistance for school trips, school materials, tutoring, meals, and extracurricular activities for children from low-income families.

The project responded to the low uptake of these benefits, particularly among migrant families, many of whom face language barriers and limited access to information. Its objective was to improve awareness of entitlements and support parents in applying for available benefits for their children.

Support was provided in two ways: through monthly information sessions and through individual counselling services offered three times a week. While the information sessions helped clarify general questions and informed parents and representatives of migrant organisations about the education package, the counselling services supported families directly in assessing eligibility, completing applications, and communicating with schools, job centres, clubs, and other institutions.

The project was strengthened through cooperation with other migrant organisations in Dortmund, particularly through collaboration with VMDO, which helped expand outreach and increase community impact. Consultations were mainly offered in German, English, and French, with additional language support arranged through the organisation’s network when needed.

The project made an important contribution to improving access to educational and participation opportunities for children from migrant families in Dortmund.

Posted in Education

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Membership is open to individuals or organizations that meet the association’s eligibility criteria and support its mission and values.

You can apply by completing the membership form and submitting any required documents or fees. Applications are reviewed according to the association’s membership guidelines.

Yes, membership fees may apply depending on the membership category. These fees help support the association’s activities, events, and operations.

Members may receive access to events, training, networking opportunities, updates, resources, advocacy support, and the chance to participate in association programs and decisions.

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G7 Commitments on Global Responsibility, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights

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At the G7 Summit in Elmau, the participating states reaffirmed their commitment to a shared community of values and responsibility based on freedom, democracy, and human rights. The summit focused on major global challenges and highlighted the need for coordinated international action in the areas of economic development, women’s empowerment, climate protection, global health, and international security.

A central outcome of the summit was the commitment to a rules-based global economic system aimed at strengthening sustainable growth and employment worldwide. In this context, the G7 expressed support for the World Trade Organization and its multilateral trading system. Special emphasis was placed on promoting the economic empowerment and entrepreneurship of women and girls.

The summit also addressed the importance of sustainable supply chains and the improved implementation of labour, social, and environmental standards in producing countries. In addition, the G7 condemned the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation as a violation of international law and pledged to intensify joint efforts in the fight against terrorism.

Another major focus was climate protection. The G7 called for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and advocated the decarbonization of the global economy over the course of this century. The group also committed itself to transforming the energy sector sustainably by 2050, while promoting marine environmental protection and resource efficiency.

In the field of development cooperation, the G7 committed itself to helping free 500 million people from hunger and malnutrition by 2030 and to increasing vocational training opportunities for women and girls by one third. The summit also stressed the need for stronger global preparedness in responding to future epidemics such as Ebola, including support for 60 countries in implementing the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization over the next five years.

Overall, the Elmau Summit underlined the G7’s intention to address global challenges through a combination of shared values, international cooperation, and long-term responsibility.

Posted in Sustainable Development

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Promoting a Realistic Image of Africa

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Understanding the Causes of Migration

AfricanTide worked with teachers and upper secondary students from selected schools in Dortmund and the surrounding area to encourage a more realistic and differentiated understanding of Africa and the causes of migration. The project responded to stereotypical media portrayals that often reduce Africa to images of poverty, crisis, and helplessness, particularly in the context of migration debates.

During a project day with students, a range of issues was explored, including the impact of globalization on livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa, the effects of climate change, constructed ethnic conflicts, and broader questions of justice and development. The project also addressed European border and refugee policies, as well as the right to freedom of movement and fair development opportunities for Africans.

Through working groups and discussion circles, students engaged directly with speakers from Africa who shared their personal life stories and motivations for migrating to Germany. These authentic encounters helped students to better understand both the challenges and the diversity of the African continent. The project made an important contribution to replacing stereotypical perceptions with a more informed and balanced view of Africa, especially among young people.

Posted in Women & Gender

Ambassadors’ Conference on the Situation of African Refugees

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On 25 and 26 May, AfricanTide organised an Ambassadors’ Conference on the Situation of African Refugees at the Lensing Carree Conference Center (LCC) as part of its annual celebration of African Union Day. Guests from politics, business, academia, African embassies, welfare organisations, and the African diaspora were invited to participate.

The conference focused on the situation of African refugees and addressed key issues through opening speeches, expert presentations, workshops, book presentations, and plenary reports. Central themes included social human rights, refugee protection, women’s rights, human rights as a guiding principle of policy, and possible solutions for Africa and Europe in response to the situation of displaced Africans.

The opening speech was delivered by City Director Jörg Stüdemann. Other speakers included Dr. Karamba Diaby, Member of the German Bundestag (SPD Parliamentary Group), who spoke on the educational needs of asylum seekers, and Prof. Dr. Jörg Bogumil, who addressed administrative action during the refugee crisis. Friedrich Fuß, District Mayor of Dortmund Innenstadt-West, presented the Dortmund model of refugee accommodation involving migrant organisations. Aminata Touré, personal advisor to Luise Amtsberg, refugee policy spokesperson for Alliance 90/The Greens in the Bundestag, spoke on women in flight and Black feminism in Germany. Dr. RosaLyn Dressman also introduced IPEC, a new branch of work within AfricanTide Union e.V.

A major highlight of the conference was the workshop programme, which brought together stakeholders to actively develop solution-oriented approaches.

Workshop 1 focused on the promotion of good governance in Africa and Germany as a means of addressing refugee-related challenges. It opened with an introductory presentation by Dr. Ümit Kosan, Managing Director of VMDO and a founding initiator of the NeMO umbrella network. The workshop was moderated by Dr. Joy Alemazung of Engagement Global and Dr. Kabanda Médard of the University of Osnabrück, who also served as overall conference moderator.

Workshop 2, entitled “Development through the Promotion of Alternative Educational Methods,” began with an introductory presentation by Dr. Norbert Tschirpke, Project Manager at Kreishandwerkerschaft Hellweg-Lippe. It was moderated by Dr. Eddy Bruno Esien, founder of Hiba, Linz (Austria), and Clément Klutse, from the Working Group of Self-Employed Migrants at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and board member of the CDU Barmbek.

The conference also featured two book presentations.
The first, “Europe: A Mission Misunderstood,” was presented by its author, Comrade Eddy Duru, member of the Foreigners’ Advisory Council of the City of Kassel and co-founder of the African Immigrant Integration Centre (AIIC) Kassel.
The second, “Promoting and Protecting Democracy,” by Dr. RosaLyn Dressman, was presented by Ambassador John C. Ejinaka, Consul General of the Nigerian Embassy in Frankfurt.

In total, 360 guests and stakeholders took part in the conference, with more than 200 participants on the first day alone. The strong attendance reflected the high level of interest in the issues discussed and the relevance of the conference as a platform for dialogue, policy reflection, and joint problem-solving.

Overall, the Ambassadors’ Conference made an important contribution to raising awareness of the situation of African refugees, strengthening exchange among relevant actors, and developing practical ideas for action in both African and European contexts. The conference outcomes were later made available on AfricanTide Union e.V.’s website and were accessed by numerous organisations, associations, and individuals.

Posted in Sustainable Development

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