This has now been launched in three federal states, including Schleswig-Holstein. Together with Diakonie Altholstein, the children's rights organization today presented the pilot project funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in the state accommodation facility in Neumünster. Almost 550 people are currently housed there, 109 of whom are under 18.
"With the MY SAFE SPACE project, we are setting an important example for child protection and improving the living conditions of refugee families," explains Gesa Kitschke, Managing Director of Diakonie Altholstein. "Our commitment is to create a safe space where children can play, learn and grow, while supporting parents to create a supportive environment for their children in the most difficult conditions. We are proud to be working with Plan International to make this important initiative possible in Schleswig-Holstein."
The MY SAFE SPACE project creates needs-based support services in three initial reception facilities (EAE) for refugees in the three federal states of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein (Neumünster) and Thuringia (Suhl). These include play and exercise activities for children, advice for parents and staff training to raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable people. Diakonie Altholstein is implementing the project at the Neumünster site. In cooperation with the state government of Schleswig-Holstein, the concept of child-friendly accommodation is also to be anchored in the long term. "The situation for children and parents in the initial reception facilities is challenging," says Petra Berner, Chairwoman of the Board of Plan International Germany. "There is often a lack of opportunities to retreat. Our aim is to improve the conditions for refugee children and their families by providing child-friendly spaces and to strengthen child protection in the long term. The establishment of MY SAFE SPACE in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and Thuringia is a good start that we want to continue in other federal states. We are delighted to have found such a professional partner in Neumünster in Diakonie Altholstein to implement the project measures."
Photo: Hanna Wilke and Imke Gerdes-Nikolla (from left), educational staff at Diakonie Altholstein in the MY SAFE SPACE project in Neumünster.