Helping people help themselves: The Bonn-based organisation AsA e. V. supports young refugees with an insecure residence status in building a future in Germany through vocational training and a secure right to remain.
The transition to adulthood is often marked by uncertainty about possible paths in life, career choices and financial independence. Young people with experience of displacement face additional, far-reaching challenges. These include expectations regarding “social integration”, uncertainty about their residence status, traumatic experiences in their country of origin or during their journey, and separation from and concern for family members living in areas affected by war or crisis.
“AsA” provides young people with a safe place where they can settle in, develop their potential and shape their lives. It supports them in actively building their future in Germany. Its holistic range of services includes advice on residence and social law, German language courses, support with career guidance and finding vocational training placements, political education and intercultural learning, one-to-one tutoring during school and vocational training, and individual assistance with organising everyday life in Germany. “AsA” takes a trauma-sensitive approach to counselling.
The organisation also places particular emphasis on involving its approximately 170 volunteers, who are coordinated and trained through a dedicated volunteer centre. They support the young people through individual mentoring relationships and become important and trusted points of contact.
More than 300 young refugees and young adults are continuously involved with “AsA”. Since 2021, the number of young people seeking support has been so high that the organisation has at times been unable to meet the demand. The consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine are also being felt and further underscore the need for such services.
We support “AsA” because the organisation’s holistic approach is unique in Germany and enables it to provide tailored assistance that meets each young person’s individual needs.
| Location | Bonn, Germany |
| Funding period | 2021 – 2027 |
| Grant amount | 185.000 Euro |
| Website | asa-bonn.org |
Interview with Johanna Strohmeier
What motivated the founding of “Ausbildung statt Abschiebung (AsA) e. V.” 25 years ago, and what was its objective?
“Ausbildung statt Abschiebung (AsA) e. V.” was founded 25 years ago by a group of dedicated female volunteers who were already advocating for the rights of refugee children and young people. At the time, these young people were completely denied access to education and other supposedly fundamental rights. Since then, AsA has worked to promote equal opportunities and combat structural disadvantage.
How does AsA’s pioneering holistic approach differ from other support and funding programmes for unaccompanied refugee minors?
What makes “Ausbildung statt Abschiebung (AsA) e. V.” unique is its holistic, needs-based approach. We bring together under one roof the services young refugees need to settle in and build an independent future. These include language courses, advice spanning different areas of law and social support, career guidance, placement in vocational training and close, trust-based support.
What tangible difference does AsA’s work make today, both for the individual young people it supports and at a structural level for the wider target group?
For the young people, AsA is a safe place where they are always welcome and can express their needs. Together, we develop prospects for their future and, often by helping them enter vocational training, secure their right to remain in Germany.
At a structural level, we work closely with a wide range of organisations involved in refugee support and youth welfare. We raise awareness of the issues affecting our target group and develop concrete improvements. One example is the case management service within the City of Bonn’s Municipal Integration Management programme, which is based at AsA.
We have strengthened our cooperation with other organisations and with the local authority. This has already led to tangible progress for the target group, for example through coordinated work relating to Germany’s opportunity residence scheme and in addressing the needs of young people leaving the youth welfare system, known as care leavers.
We need a change in perspective, away from focusing on problems and towards recognising opportunities and potential. Faster procedures, less bureaucracy and reliable access to education, vocational training and employment are essential so that young refugees can begin developing prospects for their future at an early stage.
Johanna Strohmeier