Initial information
Within the framework of the Cantonal Integration Programme (KIP), the promotion of integration implements the information mandate regulated by law in Article 57 of the Federal Act on Foreigners and on Integration (AIG). This page informs about the basics of this information work.
Information services for (newly arrived) migrants
Initial information in Zurich
"All new residents from abroad with prospects of long-term, lawful residence are welcomed in Switzerland and are informed about the most important local living conditions and integration offers." This is how the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) formulates the strategic programme objective in the area of initial information funding within the framework of the Cantonal Integration Programmes (KIP).
The City of Zurich distinguishes between nationwide basic offers for the new foreign population on the one hand and supplementary information products on the other hand, which are specifically designed for individual language groups and which are also accessible to the population already living in the city.
Pilot project «Supplementary information products» 2012 -2015
The basic offers such as welcome desk, welcome events, German course database and the online language windows have been offered for many years. In a temporary pilot project between 2012 and 2015, the existing language group-specific offer (integration courses, short courses, series of events and individual events) was expanded based on the "Initial Information Concept".
On 28 October 2015, the municipal council took note of the interim report on the pilot "supplementary information products" and approved the resources necessary for the continuation of these offers. On this basis, the concept of initial information has been implemented since 2016 through the promotion of integration.
Basic Offers
Supplementary offers
Analysis of the information needs of foreigners
In order to be able to plan supplementary information for the foreign population in an appropriate, needs-based and proportionate manner, the IF developed a needs analysis structured according to language groups for the first time in June 2011. This is based on accessible statistical data from 2009 as well as on practical assessments.
In February 2015, an "update" of this inventory analysis was created, based on the latest available data from 2012. This takes over the structure of the first analysis and also refers to the naturalization quotas as well as to the paper on family reunification prepared separately by the IF. The analysis is supplemented by an annex based on a structural survey carried out by the FSO in 2012 and showing the proportions of the main languages of the permanent resident population in the larger cities of Switzerland.