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鈥淓ssentially, we're contributing fresh ideas to do this right, motivating me to be part of it.鈥� -Peer Researcher, 'Bridges and Barriers' project.

On December 10, 2023, the University of Bielefeld, in partnership with MPower E.v., commemorated a key milestone in our 'Bridges and Barriers' research project at Berlin Global Village. Renowned as a pivotal centre for diversity and cultural exchange in Berlin, Berlin Global Village houses 50 NGOs, including MPower E.v., our collaborative research partner. Our project, an integral part of the ASTRA Project funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 program under the Marie Sk艂odowska-Curie grant, concentrates on the social integration of young women and girls with forced migration backgrounds in the Mitte district of Berlin. This is facilitated through welcome classes and language courses, with a focus beyond language learning. Our research is dedicated to exploring the broader experiences of these young women in these educational environments. We hope the insights gained from our collaborative research will help practitioners and policymakers enrich their understanding of the impact of current integration practices.

Voices of Courage and Highlights from the Heart

During our event in Berlin, we presented the unique journeys of our peer researchers that shaped our research focus. We shared the results of consultation sessions that explored life stories in countries like Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan and how these individuals adapt to their new realities in Germany. We also discussed the outcomes of peer research training sessions, which focused on community, intersecting identities, and power dynamics. The stories highlighted various important needs and concerns, ultimately leading us to focus our research on exploring language and integration in Germany. Through Berlin Mitte's "Willkommenklasses" or Welcome Classes- special learning groups are established for students who lack proficiency in German, preparing them for mainstream classes by teaching language skills and other competencies to facilitate their transition into regular educational paths or vocational training.

Furthermore, we presented the key initial findings of the interviews conducted during our research, highlighting the effectiveness of language courses in integration and the importance of social interactions for cultural understanding in Germany.

Authentic Reflections: Validating with MPower e.V. and Peer Researchers

During the event, we provided an opportunity for our peer researchers and representatives from MPower e.V. to review our findings and give feedback. This validation process was limited to our interviewers and was crucial to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of our research. Once our findings were validated, they were encouraged to share them with the research participants for further validation.

In addition, we shared the key insights from recent peer research evaluation interviews, where our peer researchers shared their motivations and experiences. This provided more depth to our understanding of their research experience and could offer some insights into best practices and areas of improvement for those interested in using the same collaborative research strategy.

From Research to Awareness

We are committed to sharing our research findings widely. Our dissemination plan, which we have shared with our partners, includes academic publications, conferences, and social media engagement. We want to ensure that these women's powerful stories reach a diverse audience. MPower e.V., a partner in the project, has expressed its commitment to supporting the dissemination of the study results on its platform and among its networks.

As we look ahead, we are focused on using our findings to influence policies and practices that positively impact the lives of these young women. Our commitment to advocacy and research continues, fueled by the insights we've gained.

We are filled with hope and determination as we conclude 'Bridges and Barriers'. The stories shared by these young women are potent reminders of resilience and potential. We are excited about the impact of our collective efforts on fostering a more inclusive and understanding society. We extend our heartfelt thanks to MPower e.V. and our peer researchers for their invaluable collaboration. Their contributions were crucial to our project's success and brought an indispensable level of authenticity and depth.

References:
Oberstufenzentrum Berlin. (n.d.). Leitfaden Willkommensklassen. Retrieved from

Berlin Global Village. (n.d.). Berlin Global Village. Retrieved from