Origin and social background should never be barriers to success, writes Evgi Sadegie, Managing Director of Schotstek, an organisation based in Hamburg and Berlin that promotes equal opportunities and cultural diversity in the professional world. Schotstek's unique scholarship programmes aim to support intelligent, ambitious and motivated young people with migrant backgrounds on their journey to leadership positions in research, business and society. By helping them build strong networks and equipping them with the right skills, Schotstek empowers talented students and young professionals to reach their full potential.

By Evgi Sadegie

Germany is a culturally diverse country, but this is still hardly reflected at all in its economic, scientific, cultural and political leadership. People with a migrant background often face barriers that exacerbate social inequalities, leave innovation potential untapped and undermine social cohesion. Prejudices, unequal educational opportunities and lack of role models and networks hinder the career progression of many talented people.

Schotstek was founded in 2013 by Sigrid Berenberg and friends. Sigrid Berenberg is a lawyer, and for many years has been committed to promoting social justice and diversity. Together with like-minded people, she set up Schotstek, specifically paving the way to leadership positions for smart, ambitious and motivated young people with a migrant background. She has promoted high-performing scholarship holders who will become future movers and shakers and decisionmakers. For many years, Sigrid Berenberg was fully involved in running the programme on an entirely voluntary basis.

Schotstek is a non-profit company supported via donations and joint initiatives with other companies. The programme is strongly supported by a network of partners, advisory bodies and friends – all high-level decisionmakers from a wide range of sectors and cultures. Worth particular mention is that three of the seven partners and the current managing director are themselves alumni of the Schotstek programme. This shows how Schotstek increasingly passes on responsibility to the talents it supports, thus having a lasting impact.

Schotstek offers unique support to students and young professionals through two parallel programmes. Panels admit up to 25 students each year in Hamburg, and up to 20 young professionals in Hamburg and Berlin. Following a two-year compulsory programme, participants remain in the network and can take part in events.

At the heart of Schotstek lies the building of strong networks: many young people with a migrant background do not have access to the professional and social links that are crucial for career opportunities. Schotstek puts them in touch with alumni, advisory bodies and experts from business, science, politics, culture and society. Regular events such as themed evenings and talks with leading figures promote exchanges and broaden their horizons. These links open up career opportunities and create a community that allows for long-term support and mutual success. Alumni now play a key role by sharing their knowledge and networks, and continuously expanding the scope of Schotstek.

Schotstek offers workshops and coaching that specifically prepare participants for leadership positions. Training strengthens key competences such as communication skills, self-confidence and leadership. Participants also receive personal support through mentoring. They are put in touch with experienced professionals and managers who can provide valuable insights into the professional world, support them in planning their careers and help them deal with professional challenges. The mentors act as role models, encouraging participants to pursue professional goals and overcome barriers.

Another specific feature of the Schotstek programme is the promotion of cultural participation. Participants visit museums, theatres, operas, galleries and other cultural institutions. This strengthens cultural education, personal development and identification with their home towns and cities. These experiences broaden the outlook of scholarship holders and foster a sense of belonging.

Schotstek seeks to promote diversity at management level. Origin and social background should no longer be barriers to success. Since it was set up, Schotstek has already supported hundreds of young people, with more than 240 participants and alumni remaining active. Many are involved in the Alumni Advisory Board, are ambassadors, support social media work or share their experiences as buddies or mentors. Anyone who has been a Schotsteker scholarship holder remains a permanent part of the network – a model that allows for lasting success. The expansion of the programme to Berlin in 2023 shows that the Schotstek concept can also be successfully implemented in other cities.

Schotstek is more than a support programme – it is a movement that impressively shows how high-performing diversity can be specifically promoted and made visible. Schotstek opens up and creates opportunities that go beyond individual success and provides an example of how Germany can fully exploit its potential as a country of immigration. By promoting outstanding talent and removing barriers, the programme plays a crucial role in shaping a fairer and future-proof society, something that is essential in a globalised world.

Evgi Sadegie, M.A. Turkish Studies, is the Managing Director of Schotstek gGmbH and herself an alumna of its 2014 cohort. Before her current role, she led the mentorship project ‘Yoldaş’ at the Hamburg Civic Foundation, which supports children from Turkish-speaking socio-economically disadvantaged families. In doing so, she promoted equal opportunities at another important end of the equality spectrum. With her extensive project management experience, particularly in the fields of mentoring and intercultural cooperation, she is actively engaged in promoting diversity and integration in society.