The Residents’ Committee represents the interests of the residents of all five refugee accommodations in Berlin-Neukölln. For a term of approximately six months, the representatives of the accommodations are democratically elected by the residents. Together, they form the Residents’ Committee. In their accommodations, the representatives are the first point of contact for all residents. They familiarize themselves with the local situation and remain open to the concerns of the residents.

Through office hours, residents have the opportunity to approach their representatives in a personal conversation. Feedback is also collected by the representatives via email or handwritten notes placed in feedback boxes located in the accommodations. In this way, the representatives are always up-to-date on current events, challenges, and the general mood in their accommodations.

Once a month, the representatives of all five accommodations come together for a committee meeting, accompanied by interpreters, where they discuss their concerns and collectively represent their accommodations. The committee serves as a voice and liaison between the residents, the authorities, and civil society: it maintains direct communication with the district office and can provide valuable feedback and suggestions for improvement.

An open and democratic structure promotes dialogue and enables collective problem-solving. In this way, refugees in Neukölln are given a say and the opportunity to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives both in the accommodations and beyond. The goal is to strengthen the sense of community in the accommodations and ensure that all residents feel equally heard and supported.