City of Neuss Confers Integration Promotion Award in 2024
In the heart of Neuss, Germany, the Integration Promotion Prize 2024 was awarded on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. The event, held at the Pauline-Sels Hall of the RomaNEum, brought together a diverse crowd to celebrate the achievements of individuals and projects that have significantly contributed to promoting social integration.
The evening was opened by Holger Lachmann, the Deputy Mayor for Citizen Service, Security, and Social Affairs, setting the tone for a night of recognition and unity. The awards were presented by Michelle Wells, the head of the Integration Office, who praised the recipients for their exceptional work.
One of the recipients was Ferhat Canikli, a volunteer musician who brings people together and promotes encounters through music at the Alevitic community center. His passion for music and his dedication to fostering understanding among different communities have made a significant impact in Neuss.
Cemal Tuna, the chairman of the Alevitic community center, was also honoured for his work. He coordinates the "Bridge Builder on the Furth" project, which strengthens understanding between people with and without migration history through shared cultural activities.
The Integration Guides project, carried by people with their own migration history, also received recognition. This project provides linguistic support for official appointments, helping newcomers navigate the complexities of their new home.
Barbara Simon and Elsbeth Dünnwald received the 1st prize for their volunteer work supporting children of refugee families in Neuss. Their dedication to helping young ones integrate into their new community has made a lasting impact.
Eva-Maria Noack, who has been volunteering with refugees and migrants in Neuss since 2011, was awarded the 2nd prize. Her tireless efforts to promote integration and social participation have not gone unnoticed.
The Integration Guides project, which has been in existence since 2009, and Boxring Neuss 1992 e.V., a community center that promotes respect, mindfulness, and integration through daily sporting activities, were also among the recipients.
The event featured a musical performance by Hozan Cane, a Kurdish-German singer, human rights activist, and author. The evening concluded with an open reception in the foyer for personal exchange and networking.
The city of Neuss underscores its commitment to a diverse, solidarity-based, and forward-looking society through the Integration Support Prize. The awardees serve as role models for what integration means in practice and inspire others to actively shape the future.
For detailed information about the specific contributions of the 2024 award recipients, it is recommended to check official Neuss city websites, local news outlets, or cultural integration organizations in Neuss for announcements and detailed reports about the 2024 Integration Promotion Prize.
- The diverse crowd at the Integration Promotion Prize 2024 event in Neuss, Germany, also included individuals interested in lifestyle, home-and-garden, books, social-media, entertainment, celebrities, music, and pop-culture, as they were inspired by the awardees' work.
- Cemal Tuna, one of the recipients, is not only a champion of integration but also a social media influencer, sharing insights on music, pop-culture, and community life through his online platforms.
- In addition to the formal recognition, some of the awardees, such as Barbara Simon and Elsbeth Dünnwald, are also authors, writing books about their experiences and insights into life in Neuss, which have become popular in the local bookstores.
- As part of the event's entertainment, Hozan Cane, a Kurdish-German singer, human rights activist, and author, performed songs that celebrate diversity and unity, promoting a message that resonates with the city's commitment to integration and social cohesion.
