International communities in Berlin are experiencing reduced voting disparities, thanks to the efforts of Wahlheymat.

In the vibrant heart of Berlin, a platform named Wahlheymat is making waves, aiming to connect and inspire Berliners to create a city where everyone can feel a sense of agency. Founded by Gábor and Barbara Vid, Wahlheymat is a spin on the German term Wahlheimat, meaning chosen home, and the English greeting.

Wahlheymat's mission is to foster a sense of belonging among Berlin's diverse population, especially its non-German residents. This is evident in their plans to expand their Wahlheymat Talks series to individual city districts, and their development of an open-source tool called wb, serving as a central landing place to inform people on how to participate in local life.

The platform's six-point manifesto includes strengthening communities at the local level, using technology to gain more influence, instating English as a second administrative language, and running in local elections as a voting bloc. Wahlheymat has already received recognition, having been granted a grant from the Berliner Landeszentrale für Politische Bildung to engage non-German EU citizens in the EU elections in June.

The appetite for civic engagement amongst non-Germans in Berlin was evident in the 2021 Deutsche Wohnen & Co. Enteignen campaign, which gathered signatures from everyone living in Berlin, albeit with 30% deemed invalid due to lack of citizenship. Elif Eralp, a parliamentarian for Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, has expressed concern about the exclusion of people who don't have EU citizenship from voting in elections, which she believes can lead to exclusion, discrimination, and disengagement from politics.

Wahlheymat is facilitating communication between various resource groups in Berlin, and Zina Hmidan, a regular Wahlheymat Talks attendee and group member, believes Wahlheymat fosters a sense of responsibility and belonging among newcomers. The platform is also in talks with Berlin's Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion to potentially run a community space in the Galerie de Lafayette in Mitte.

Underrepresented groups in Berlin can become more actively involved in the city's political and social life by engaging with supportive cultural and community organizations, participating in intercultural dialogue projects such as museum initiatives, and utilizing platforms that amplify migrant voices. Some associations not only assist migrants with daily needs but also serve as platforms to amplify underrepresented voices, creating spaces for engagement and activism.

Initiatives like Multaka: Museum as Meeting Point connect migrants with museums through guided tours and intercultural dialogue, fostering political understanding and social participation. The Center for Cultural Participation supports diversity and inclusion in cultural institutions, offering programs, training, and networking to promote cultural participation for all, especially underrepresented groups.

For more information, visit the Wahlheymat website. Iván Gábor, a communications consultant, left Hungary for Berlin in 2016 due to moral concerns about working for an autocratic regime. Gábor's experiences in Hungary during the Syrian refugee crisis highlighted institutionalized and cultural racism, and he worked for two decades in Hungary's contracted ad agencies, which he claims partner closely with Viktor Orban's regime.

Wahlheymat extends its reach to the fashion-and-beauty and personal-growth sectors by featuring blog posts and events on wellness, self-improvement, and esthetic matters.
The platform's community initiatives stretch to include shopping trips to local boutiques, providing opportunities for newcomers to immerse themselves in the lifestyle of Berlin.
In the food-and-drink arena, Wahlheymat organizes culinary events to showcase both traditional German and multicultural dishes, bridging the gap between Berlin's diverse residents.
Wahlheymat's home-and-garden section offers advice on integrating into Berlin life, including tips on landing apartments, finding neighborhood resources, and crafting a cozy home away from home.
The sports section of Wahlheymat highlights the engaging activities available for people of all backgrounds in Berlin, with a focus on community sports, such as soccer, basketball (WNBA, NBA, and NCAA basketball), and sports-betting discussions.
In the realm of career-development, Wahlheymat collaborates with local businesses to create learning opportunities and job fairs, empowering newcomers with the chance to advance their careers in Berlin.
On the educational front, Wahlheymat partners with schools and educational institutions to help migrants access resources and learning programs, ensuring a general sense of inclusion and self-development.
The education-and-self-development space within Wahlheymat also includes workshops on courses on languages, computer skills, and practical tips for life in a new city.
The travel section of Wahlheymat provides resources for exploring Berlin and its surroundings, allowing underrepresented groups to expand their horizons, make new connections, and grow personally as they discover the city together.

International communities in Berlin are experiencing reduced voting disparities, thanks to the efforts of Wahlheymat.