Hamburg: A Franco-German Summit on the Social Inclusion of Immigrant Women

Hafid Boutchakoucht, Hanane Chtioui

Hamburg, Germany – From February 8 to 10, 2025, the bustling port city of Hamburg played host to a pivotal meeting between Cross Borders France, represented by Hanane Chtioui and Hafid Boutchakkoucht, and AYEDARA e.V., led by its president, Armel Ogougbe. The objective: to address the pressing challenges of social inclusion for immigrant women in Europe and lay the groundwork for concrete solutions that foster their empowerment.

Key Challenges and Concrete Solutions
At the heart of the discussions were three critical pillars: access to education, professional integration, and civic engagement. Participants highlighted the systemic obstacles that immigrant women continue to face while also identifying innovative initiatives and best practices that could help bridge these gaps and ensure their full participation in society.

“We must move beyond rhetoric and implement tangible actions that have a real impact on their daily lives. Access to education, employment, and civic participation should not be a privilege but a guaranteed right for all. Only by pooling our resources and strengthening our cooperation can we bring about lasting change.” – Hanane Chtioui.

An Erasmus and OFAJ Project to Bring Ideas to Life
A defining moment of the event came with the decision to launch a joint Erasmus and OFAJ (Franco-German Youth Office) project, designed to provide mentorship programs, professional training, and international exchange opportunities for immigrant women. The project will also engage additional European partners, particularly from Spain, reinforcing its transnational scope and ensuring widespread impact.

“Social inclusion can only be effective when driven by a shared vision and a transnational approach. This initiative marks a significant step forward in empowering immigrant women—not merely integrating them, but enabling them to become changemakers within their communities and in society at large.” – Hafid Boutchakkoucht, President of Cross Borders.

Echoing this sentiment, Armel Ogougbe underscored the collective responsibility required to ensure long-term impact:

“The inclusion of immigrant women should not be seen as an isolated challenge but as a shared responsibility demanding sustained commitment and concrete action. This initiative embodies that vision by offering real opportunities for women to strengthen their autonomy and actively contribute to society.”

A Scalable Model for Europe
This initiative aligns with Europe’s broader efforts to promote equal opportunities and cultural diversity. By engaging a coalition of grassroots organizations, institutional actors, and policymakers, this project aspires to become a replicable model for other countries, setting a benchmark for more effective and inclusive social policies across Europe.

Through this strategic partnership between Cross Borders, AYEDARA e.V., and their European collaborators, Hamburg has now become a key milestone in the collective pursuit of a more equitable future for immigrant women. The coming months will be crucial, as the project takes shape and mobilizes a broader network of dedicated stakeholders committed to driving real change.