Civic Refugee Support - by Clara Van Den Berg (Paperback)

About the Book

The aftermath of the 2015/16 refugee reception crisis in Germany - insights into the impact on the local infrastructure and a new perspective on the role of solidarity.

Book Synopsis

What became of the upsurge in civic action that saw millions of volunteers rally in support of migrants during the 2015/16 refugee reception crisis in Germany? Clara van den Berg examines the aftermath of that unprecedented mobilization, exploring how pro-refugee communities evolved in Germany. Drawing on interviews, observations, and document analysis, she finds that some pro-refugee communities managed to survive. The study provides fresh insights into how mobilization periods impact the local structure of civil society and its networks, and offers a new perspective on the role of solidarity with refugees and migrants today.

About the Author

Clara van den Berg is a postdoctoral researcher at Freie Universität Berlin and a permanent guest researcher at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. Before pursuing her PhD, she studied political science and international relations in Germany, the United States, and Sweden. She earned her PhD in 2024 from Freie Universität Berlin. As a social scientist, her research focuses on community building and civic action in civil society, with a particular emphasis on refugee support and advocacy. She is investigating affective polarization in civil society around key issues like climate change and migration.