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BARKA Berlin e.V. is a non-for-profit organisation that was established in Berlin , committed to assisting homeless Central & Eastern European migrants in Germany.
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Who we are
Supporting Europeans Across Borders
BARKA Berlin e.V. was founded in July 2019 by a Polish-German board and registered under the file number VR 37545 B in the register of associations at the Charlottenburg District Court, Berlin.
BARKA Berlin e.V. has its roots in the BARKA Foundation, originally established in Poland in 1989, which is now active in Europe and beyond, with locations in Poland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, Macedonia, and Canada.
For many years, the BARKA Foundation has been supporting people from Poland and other Eastern European countries who have become homeless on the streets of Western European cities.
In several Western European cities, such as London and the Dutch city of Utrecht, there is close collaboration between BARKA and a local community and authorities.
Our services
Empowering Lives
WHO WE HELP
EU citizens in Germany
Our work focuses on EU citizens in Germany who are struggling with homelessness and related issues such as addiction and mental health problems. Many of these individuals face barriers when trying to access basic income support or social welfare (SGB II and SGB XII), as well as medical care (SGB V) and services for rehabilitation and inclusion (SGB IX), particularly if they have not been employed in Germany for an extended period.
EU migrants are especially vulnerable and makeup as much as 50 percent of the street homeless population in cities like Berlin (BAG W 2017). EU citizens, particularly from Eastern and Southeastern Europe, often face significant challenges when trying to integrate into the labour and housing markets. Language barriers, a lack of social networks, and limited access to social services increase their risk of falling into precarious living conditions during their first five years in Germany.
Barka Berlin e.V goal is to address these challenges and provide targeted support to help these individuals regain stability. We assist both those who have been homeless for a long time and those at risk of losing their homes.
Our interdisciplinary team consists of professionals and volunteers with lived experience, allowing us to take a holistic approach aimed at providing long-term and sustainable assistance.
Quality Assurance Through EU-Wide Networking
BARKA Berlin e.V. is part of a strong European network, collaborating with partner organisations across Europe. As part of the Erasmus+ funded project European Return & Migration Network, BARKA works with seven organisations from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, and Germany to develop innovative support services for EU migrants.
Through this collaboration, BARKA incorporates new approaches and best practices from across Europe into its work in Berlin, ensuring the highest quality of care and support for homeless EU citizens.
Contact Barka in Berlin, Germany.
There are many ways we can help you.
Examples of our Support
Our help in Berlin: Aug 15 – Dec 31, 2018
242
Engagement
Established contact with 242 homeless Polish individuals living on the streets of Berlin.
20
Reintegration Support
Facilitated the return of 20 homeless individuals to Poland, either to support centres, integration and therapy facilities, or to their families.
12
Rehabilitation Programmes
Of the 20 returnees, 12 were admitted to BARKA care centres and integrated into social and vocational rehabilitation programmes, aiming for a sustainable exit from homelessness.
7
Family Reconnection
Seven returnees reconnected with their families and worked on restoring relationships, while three others housed in BARKA centres decided to gradually renew family ties.
6
Addiction Recovery
Six individuals completed addiction therapy in closed rehabilitation centres in Poland.Addiction Recovery
3
Social Integration
Three individuals were placed in social integration centres in Strzelce Opolskie, Poznań, and Chudobczyce.
1
Healthcare Assistance
One individual was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Gniezno.
1
Employment Support
BARKA assisted one individual in securing employment in Flensburg.
1
Pension Application
ARKA supported one resident in Chudobczyce with their pension application.
Events, Projects, campaigns
Check out our latest news
What Has Been Done and What Lies Ahead
Successful Projects
In August 2018, the Barka Foundation, at the invitation of the Polish Embassy in Berlin and with financial support from the Senate of the Republic of Poland, successfully implemented a six-month pilot project to assist homeless Polish nationals facing extreme social hardship on the streets of Berlin. The project aimed to motivate homeless Polish individuals to change their lives and potentially return to social and vocational rehabilitation centres in Poland, where they could access therapy, vocational training, and employment opportunities.
Between August 15, 2018, and February 31, 2019, a two-member Barka team worked in Berlin: a leader (a formerly homeless and addiction-affected individual, now rehabilitated) and a social assistant (a trained social worker).
Daily patrols were conducted in various Berlin districts with a high homeless population. The Barka team also visited homeless individuals in hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities.
Since the beginning of 2024, we have been a member of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Berlin and aim to expand our partnerships in Berlin and with other social service providers.
Furthermore, we will deepen our cooperation with district offices and share our expertise to ensure that European citizens in Berlin receive targeted and effective support in combating homelessness.
Looking ahead, Barka aims to broaden its impact by developing new outreach programmes tailored to the needs of vulnerable EU citizens in Berlin.
TOGETher WE Can DRIVE Change
Partners
Barka e. V. is a member of the Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband in Berlin.
