1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
SocietyGermany

German village struggles to unite amid migration challenge

12:34

This browser does not support the video element.

November 22, 2025

Ten years ago, many refugees arrived in Germany. The northern village of Boostedt shows how integration can succeed — and where it still falls short.

Building bridges between villagers and refugees — that's the mission Hartwig Puhlmann has set for himself. The retired police officer takes residents' concerns seriously, and over the past 10 years he's worked hard to address local issues — from litter to safety. Creative solutions have eased tensions, but critical voices remain.

A report by Carolina Machhaus-Stehle.

Skip next section About the show

About the show

Reporter — On Location

DW’s on-the-ground reporters are always close to the action, be it covering international events or zooming in on some of the quirks of daily life. Camera always in hand, they report on the changes they see taking place in Germany, Europe and around the world.

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW