Henglein GmbH triumphs: won the state integration award for education!

Henglein GmbH triumphs: won the state integration award for education!

This year's State Integration Prize for Saxony-Anhalt was awarded in the lively city of Halle on August 27, 2025. The Burgenland district was in brilliant shape, as several projects and people from the region were nominated and awarded. Henglein GmbH & Co. KG from Klosterhäseler was honored with first prize in the category “Education and Training – Key to Successful Integration”. The company was able to convince the jury thanks to its outstanding commitment to migrant employees, and language course offerings and child-friendly structures complement its program. Katja Hahnemann, who contributed significantly to these successes, also received praise for her work.

District Administrator Götz Ulrich, who followed the honors, emphasized the importance of integration in the workplace. “Henglein GmbH sets standards for how integration can work in the economy,” he explained. But Henglein GmbH was not the only award from the Burgenland district. The Karsdorf/Wetzendorf multi-generational house was also nominated in the “Long-term and sustainable commitment to integration” category, as was the volleyball team from the Bunte Stimme e.V. association in the “Commitment to diversity and cohesion – against racism and discrimination” category. In addition, Bahara Noorzai and Baran Jarjis Shaker were recognized for their voluntary work as integration guides.

The state integration award and its meaning

The State Integration Prize is awarded annually by the state government of Saxony-Anhalt and is intended to honor the commitment to harmonious coexistence in a diverse society. This year the award ceremony took place for the 15th time and there were over 80 submitted proposals from various clubs, companies and initiatives.

“This award ceremony is a sign of thanks and recognition for all those who work tirelessly for integration and good coexistence,” said Social Minister Petra Grimm-Benne. She emphasized that the award winners stood for courage, perseverance and commitment. The winner of the first prize in the category “Long-term and sustainable commitment to integration” was also from the Burgenland district, IG Offen-Bunt-Anders from the Volkssolidarität Elbe-Mulde e.V. association, which has been supporting refugees for over ten years.

Diversity of award winners

A diverse selection of initiatives received deserved recognition at the awards ceremony. Here is an overview of some of the award-winning projects:

This variety of initiatives impressively shows how much commitment and heart goes into the projects. “Voluntary commitment is invaluable for our neighbors and society,” emphasized State Minister Natalie Pawlik. Not only was there a celebration in Halle, but it also sent a strong signal for cohesion and diversity.