Translation or interpretation by phone is offered by the project SiSA Sprachmittlung in Sachsen-Anhalt (Translation and Interpretation in Saxony-Anhalt). After previous consultation, employees of SiSA can accompany you to appointments or events. When you speak German well already, you can participate in the work of SiSA or the Multi-Cultural Centre as a honorary member. Translators and interpreters do not give any legal, social or medical advice. For official translations, please contact a sworn translator. A list of sworn translators and interpreters is given on the website of the Internetseite des Bundesverbands der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer Landesverband Sachsen-Anhalt e. V. (Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators, Saxony-Anhalt Association).

In Germany, there are many organizations of people with migration background. Most of their members have personal migration experience and work on a honorary basis for the integration of immigrants. Migrants organizations often provide a wide range of offers, e.g. advice, events, education offers, sports and music groups and interpreter services.

Inter alia, the following Migrantenorganisationen (migrants organizations), organized according to their origin or religious faith, are active in Dessau-Roßlau: the German-Russian Working Circle "Dialog", the Islamisches Kulturzentrum e. V. (Islamic Cultural Centre), the Kurdisch-Deutscher Verein Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. (Kurdish-German Association Saxony-Anhalt), the Mesopotamischer Kulturverein (Mesopotamian Cultural Association) and the Vietnamese Community. The Multi-Culture Centre offers inter-cultural activities.

Migrants organizations represent interests of their members towards politics, economy and administration. Their aim is to promote dialog and to make a contribution to the integration of inhabitants with migration background. Migrants organizations have united in the „Landesnetzwerk Migrantenorganisationen in Sachsen-Anhalt" (LAMSA) (State Network of Migrants Organizations in Saxony-Anhalt). LAMSA offers many projects and events related to migration and integration.

The Integrationsbeirat (Integration Council) and the Ausländerbeauftragte (Foreigners' Commissioner) of the city are the central political links between people with migration background, city administration and municipal bodies. The work on a honorary basis and are active partners in the shaping of cohabitation in Dessau-Roßlau. The two bodies represent the interests of migrants in the public and are on your disposal when you have questions. In addition, the foreigners' commissioner gives advice to migrants and arranges contacts to authorities and institutions.

There are numerous bodies in the city, e.g. the city council, the city quarter or suburb councils and their special committees. They meet regularly to discuss public issues. In these discussions, citizens of Dessau-Roßlau can put forward their requests. The dates of these meetings are given in the local press, in the Amtsblatt (Official Gazette) and on the website of the city of Dessau-Roßlau.

The „Netzwerk Gelebte Demokratie“  (Network "Living Democracy") is open to all citizens committed to democracy. The network's aim is to shape cohabitation in the community and encourages all citizens of Dessau-Roßlau to actively participate in this process.

In social stores, you can buy well preserved used goods at reasonable prices. In the clothing store of  Kleiderkammer der ASG Dessau e.V. donated clothing is handed out against a small amount of money. In its Möbelkammer (furniture store), the association also sells used furniture and large household items at favourable prices.

The Dessauer Tafel assists people in need by selling cheap food. For this purpose, you have to register in advance and present evidence your need status.

If you have questions about alcohol, gambling, nicotine, eating disorders, medications, excessive media consumption and other behavioral cravings, you can go to a counseling center. You will also be offered further support offers. The consultation will be coordinated with them and the discussions are subject to secrecy.

It is discrimination when you are badly treated because of your origin, nationality, sex, age or a handicap. Discrimination is prohibited in Germany, and you can defend yourselves against it. The staff in the anti-discrimination agencies will listen to your complaints and inform you about your rights. Together with you, they search for a solution and accompany you in its realization. The consultations are held confidentially, free of charge and, if desired, anonymously and with the help of an interpreter. When you are affected by racism or discrimination, you can also consult the Entknoten – Beratungsstelle gegen Alltagsrassismus und Diskriminierung (Consultation Agency against Everyday Racism and Discrimination). In case of discrimination because of your origin, you can also ask for advice by the honorary Ausländerbeauftragten (Foreigners' Commissioner) of the City of Dessau-Roßlau

The Beratungsstelle für Opfer rechter Straf- und Gewalttaten (Consultation Agency for Victims of RightWing Offences and Violence) will assist you when you are bodily attacked. Should you be discriminated because of your sex, you can contact the Gleichstellungsbeauftrage (Equal Opportunities Commissioner) of the City of Stadt Dessau-Roßlau.

In cases of discrimination because of a handicap, you are supported by the municipal Behindertenbeauftragte (Handicapped People's Commissioner). The honorary Seniorenbeauftragte (Senior Citizen's Commissioner) can be consulted when you have specific requests. The Kinder- und Jugendbeauftragter (child and youth representative) represents the interests of young people and adults up to 27 years of age. Should you have other citizens' concerns, advice is given by the Beauftragte für Bürgeranliegen (Commissioner for Citizens' Concerns) or the commissioners mentioned above.

Many foreign citizens who live and work in Germany still maintain close relations to their old homeland. Taking the decision to return to one's country of origin means a difficult decision process. When you consider to return to your country of origin, you can utilize several opportunities of assistance. Should you do not have enough money to pay for your departure you can get help out of a return program. Your departure is arranged and the travel expenses are paid. Depending on your residence status and country of origin, additional financial benefits are possible, e.g. assistance in the search for a job or flat in your country of origin.

An overview of assistance opportunities and advice agencies can be found on the Informationsportal zu freiwilliger Rückkehr (Information Portal for Voluntary Return). The different options can be discussed in a personal return consultation. Return consultations are offered in Dessau-Roßlau at the Ausländerbehörde, (Foreigners' Office), by the Diakonischen Werk der Evangelischen Landeskirche Sachsen-Anhalts e.V. (Social Service of the Protestant Church in Saxony-Anhalt) as well as St. Johannis GmbH. Telephone advice is also given by the Federal Employment Agency in the information centre of the Internationalen Personalservice der ZAV (International Personnel Service) in your search for a job in your country of origin.