Multidimensionality of immigrant integration policy at the local level. Examples of initiatives in Germany and The United Kingdom

Awareness that immigrant integration takes place at a local level has been growing for several years. Immigration policy debates and decisions mostly occur at the national level, but the question of how to implement immigrant integration policy is much more urgent at a local level. The purpose of the article is to present the multidimensionality of integration actions as well as examples of projects considered to be “best practices” that are carried out today at the local level in German and UK cities of different sizes. The countries chosen have long histories of immigration and have developed significantly different approaches to immigration issues, nevertheless local experiences (in both countries) highlight not only differences but also similarities in immigrant integration policy. The surveys presented help us to understand that immigrant integration is a complicated process that can be stimulated in various ways, and that there is no single way to introduce policy towards immigrants.