Ankommen, an app that guides refugees during their first weeks in Germany

admin on 17 February 2020

Ankommen app

Ankommen (arriving) is an application for mobile phones that guides the refugees during their first weeks of arrival in Germany, offering them basic information about the country of reception, on the legislation of refuge and asylum, on programs of professional training and employability, etc.

It also offers online German classes. The APP has versions in Arabic, Farsi, German, English and French. It’s free, does not contain advertising, works for Android and iOS platforms, and can also be used offline.

The development of the application has been possible thanks to a close collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Migration and Refugees, the Goethe Institute, the Federal Employment Agency, and ARD-Bayerischer Rundfunk, a public broadcaster of radio and television.

Characteristics of innovation

Bank of innovations, Fully inclusive cities, Immigration, Independent living, Lab, Link with the community, New service, New technological tool, User empowerment

Location

Germany

Partners / Funders

Federal Bureau of Migration and Refugees from the Ministery of Interior, Public Works and Community; the Goethe Institute; the Federal Employment Agency from the Ministery of Labour and Social Affaires; and ARD-Bayerischer Rundfunk, a public broadcaster of radio and television.

Genesis

In 2015, more than 1.1 million immigrant people arrived in Germany, including refugees and asylum seekers. This wave of immigration gave rise to the need to find in the new technologies tools to explain to newcomers the procedures to register, request asylum and find accommodation, or answer their questions about the Country’s legislation and ways of life. The application has been disseminated through posters and leaflets in federal asylum offices, in work centers and in non-governmental organizations, and also through Facebook.

Implementation level

The application was released in January 2016 and has been updated six times. The number of downloads exceeds the 180,000 and the ratings of the users situate between 4.5 and 5 out of 5.

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