Unbureaucratic help: the Ukraine Forum Landsberg

Created: 04/08/2022 11:29 am

By: Susanne Greiner

Large crowd: yesterday, Thursday, more than 200 people came to the first meeting of the Ukraine Forum Landsberg in the lobby of the sports center.

© Greiner

Landsberg – More than 200 people stream into the lobby of the Landsberg sports center for the first meeting of the Ukraine Forum Landsberg.

A meeting that should provide basic information.

But above all, it's about networking: between the refugees themselves, with the residents of the district - or in general: all those who are looking for help and those who offer help.

Co-founder Stefan Krebs, who like his colleagues comes from the IT industry, calls it a “platform” – maybe that’s where the networking talent comes from.

Because the fact that this forum arouses interest and apparently works is shown by numerous conversations after the first meeting on Thursday.

Krebs has taken in refugees himself.

"It's now like a flat share, so enough trust has developed." When he went to the district office with 'his' refugees, it was clear to him: "There will be many.

And everyone has the same questions.” In the office, however, it was always only from one advisor to one person – not exactly efficient.

It was clear to the entrepreneur that a meeting place was needed, both in person and virtually.

Stefan d'Amore, Bennet Pflaum, Dorle Müller and Clarice Henry were added as interpreters via a WhatsApp group.

The Ukraine Forum website was launched in two languages, "people should be able to help themselves," says Krebs.

The language is initially an obstacle, also because the language courses offered fill up very quickly.

The translation via smartphone in a conversation is possible, but it is tedious.

Krebs sees problems not only with language, but also with schooling and kindergarten places.

Especially with the latter it will probably be tight.

As far as schooling is concerned, both the hospital school and the DZG in Landsberg wanted to start with the welcome classes after the Easter holidays.

In order to involve the responsible authorities right away, the integration officers of the city and the district, Ulrike Degenhart as head of the OBin office, a representative of the Kolping Academy, which also offers free language courses, and Matthias Faber from JuZe also introduced themselves at the forum meeting.

Offers were listed on boards - for example free sports courses at TSV Landsberg - and the guests stuck yellow and blue dots on their home town on a map of Ukraine.

And children drew themselves as stick figures, holding a blue and yellow Ukrainian flag.

A girl from Ukraine drew herself holding the Ukrainian flag.

© Greiner

"We're about to start a fundraiser," says Krebs.

To organize the catering at the meetings - there was coffee, pretzels and cake.

The city is financing the space, and we are very grateful for that.

On Thursday, April 14, the second Ukraine Forum meeting will take place in the lobby of the sports center, again from 3 to 5 p.m.

The main topics will be childcare and schooling.

More information is available on the Internet at

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