Since March 2022, CUSBU Berlin (CommUnities Support for BIPoC Refugees from Ukraine in Berlin) has been offering consultations for BIPoC Third-Country Nationals, their families, and life partners arriving from Ukraine to Germany following the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Our consultations focus on applications for Temporary Protection in accordance with EU Directive 2001/55/EC and processing for non-Ukrainian third country national that do not fall under the EU regulation. We provide in-person consultations on a walk-in basis and online consultations by appointment.

The project serves as a bridge to existing structures and local migrant communities in Berlin, building a community support network. We examine and monitor the implementation of European law at the local level, advocate for our clients, and offer multilingual accompaniment to public offices. Our work aims to uncover and address obstacles, challenges, and rights violations faced by those affected.

Our support extends beyond immigration offices to include social services, benefits agencies, health insurance companies, and more. CUSBU offers troubleshooting assistance and coaches clients on how to navigate interactions with various public and private offices. We provide diverse and individualized support to incoming BIPoC refugees.

We also connect clients with social counseling services tailored to specific groups and topics, including racism and sexual discrimination, mental health, and psychosocial support.

Our project addresses the supply gap in services for BIPoC refugees, offering not only initial orientation but also ongoing support, including continuous psychosocial care and referrals to established support organizations. Through our CommUnities Support Space (CSS), clients can access advocacy, political education, social counseling, and accompaniment services in English, French, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Russian.

Additionally, our offices provide a safer space where visitors can work, organize, and network as well as participate in psychosocial and resilience-building activities. 

CUSBU documents each case thoroughly to address issues in meetings with decision-makers. The insights and concerns we gather are shared with administrative actors to advocate for prompt action and correction of mistakes.

CUSBU offers support for persons under §16B, §18E, §24, §25A and §20A.