Heimatkunde is the migration policy portal of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. The platform provides space for nuanced perspectives on current migration policy debates, and for artistic and cultural expression.
Germany is a Country of Immigration. This is more than just an empirical observation. Migration is a fundamental reality of the modern world—and a source of social and economic vitality. This is especially true for an aging society like Germany. Recognizing this reality brings the legal, economic, and social dimensions of immigration policy to the forefront. An immigration society requires concepts and tools to engage with migration constructively, reduce fears, and foster a culture of mutual recognition.
Heimatkunde is the migration policy portal of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. It offers dossiers, expert analyses, commentaries, and a range of other formats addressing migration, displacement, participation, and diversity. The platform provides space for nuanced perspectives on current migration policy debates, and for artistic and cultural expression. It brings together the digital educational offerings of the Foundation’s Migration & Diversity Department within its domestic division.
The Heinrich Böll Foundation, based in Berlin-Mitte, is a political foundation affiliated with the Alliance 90/The Greens party. It sees itself as an agency for green ideas and projects, a laboratory for policy reform and future-oriented thinking, and an international network, working with partners in around 60 countries. Within Germany, it cooperates closely with its regional foundations in each federal state. The foundation is named after the writer Heinrich Böll, whose call for active civic engagement in politics serves as a guiding principle. Its core mission is political education in Germany and abroad—to strengthen democratic awareness, civic participation, and international understanding. Its work is grounded in the values of ecology, democracy, solidarity, and nonviolence. Promoting gender democracy and a democratic immigration society are among its central concerns.
Heimatkunde offers an in-depth look at the state of Germany’s migration society. The concept of Heimat—home or homeland—is not fixed. People may lose or leave their original home and create a new one elsewhere. Home and belonging are deeply interconnected. One feels at home where one is accepted, builds relationships, and gains access—to education, employment, and political participation. Exercising political rights and engaging civically strengthens the institutions that uphold sociocultural, political, and religious pluralism. In this view, Heimat is not about origin, but about belonging.
Addressing migration, displacement, diversity, and the vision of a discrimination-free society through political education means embracing a plurality of perspectives and giving them space. Alongside established academics, emerging authors, and artists, Heimatkunde regularly features voices from journalism, political activism, public policy, and (post-)migrant communities.
Heimatkunde thrives on diverse perspectives. If you are interested in contributing, we welcome your ideas and proposals for collaboration.