Social Media Bridge

The project „Social Media Bridge“ (SoMB) is part of the project network „bridge – Berliner Netzwerk für Bleiberecht. New approaches to the inclusion of refugees“, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the European Union via the European Social Fund in Germany as part of the federal programme „WIR – Netzwerke integrieren Geflüchtete in den regionalen Arbeitsmarkt“. As part of the WIR programme, the aim of the pilot project SoMB is to develop, test and implement approaches for outreach information and referral counselling in social media for refugees in Germany. The project works in seven languages – Arabic, English, French, Kurdish, Persian, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian and German – using simple language on all WIR counselling topics.

In a low-threshold and GDPR-compliant manner, the project team is active in the groups and channels on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and in messenger services such as Telegram, among others, which are set up by the refugee communities themselves. The refugees receive information and referral advice on other WIR projects and support services. Misinformation in social media is counteracted and especially those target groups are supported that have not been reached by local WIR networks so far.

In addition, the SoMB project supports the WIR networks throughout Germany in developing their own online skills through networking, training, support and handouts. The project also conducts public relations work and networking at national and transnational level.