VAUDE CSR-Report – Entrepreneur initiative "Bleiberecht durch Arbeit” receives award

Baden-Württemberg awards its first Integration Prize

On May 21, Baden Württemberg’s Prime Minister, Winfried Kretschmann, and Minister of Social Affairs and Integration, Manne Lucha, awarded the state’s first Integration Prize in Stuttgart.

Manne Lucha, Minister of Social Affairs and Integration:

»I'm delighted that so many people in Baden-Württemberg are demonstrating that integration is something which is actually put into practice in our state. Let us continue to show our true colors and stand up for diversity and respectful cooperation.«

Entrepreneur initiative "Bleiberecht durch Arbeit” receives award

Antje von Dewitz makes political appeal

Antje von Dewitz was pleased about the recognition award for the entrepreneur initiative “Bleiberecht durch Arbeit" and expressed her thanks for the support by the Ministry for Integration at the state and federal levels. At the same time, however, she also clearly expressed the companies' demands: During the subsequent panel discussion with Manne Lucha and the football player Cacau, Antje von Dewitz reported on her activism and made an urgent political appeal: “Our companies and the people who work for us need both professional prospects and security.”

More information:

Integration Prize (German)

Integration campaign (German)

Entreprenuer initiative: Bleiberecht durch Arbeit (German)

VAUDE commitment to refugees

Entrepreneur initiative Bleiberecht durch Arbeit (right of residence through work)

In 2017 Antje von Dewitz, together with Gottfried Härle of Härle Brewery in Leutkirch, and other companies founded the entrepreneur initiative “Bleiberecht durch Arbeit”.

Given the shortage of labor in many sectors, these companies have been working to ensure that refugees and migrants who are permanently employed are given the right of residence.

The initiative is committed to the long-term integration of refugees and migrants into society and the labor market, as well as the drafting of legal regulations that offer employed refugees and migrants a chance to stay in the country and planning security for companies.

Over 150 companies and three associations have joined the initiative. These companies generate an annual turnover of over 50 billion euros and employ a total of 550,000 people, 2,050 of whom are refugees or migrants who are either employed or in training.