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Description
According to Office for Foreigners figures, in 2021 there were a total of 11679 foreigners in the Podlaskie voivodship, and this number is constantly increasing. These are mainly Belorussian, Ukrainian, and Russian nationals. Autonomous organizations and institutions are active in the voivodship, and take care primarily of refugees and asylum seekers. There is no support for other immigrants when they first arrive in Poland, We wish to fill this gap and take all-embracing measures to support the adaptation and integration process of immigrants from the east into the local community. We will open an information and counselling center to provide support of a foreigner assistant (for example explaining the rules and standards in effect in Poland; assistance in finding work and somewhere to live, and dealing with administrative matters) and legal advice. We will provide assistance for immigrant children in schools (intercultural assistant, help from a teacher). We will organize a Polish language course for four groups at various levels, and consultations with specialists (for example in accounting, insurance, financial advice, physician), integration workshops (intercultural workshops for children in camp form, and intercultural workshops for young people and adults, on cuisine and thematic), and a one-day excursion and integration family picnic. The project will improve the social situation of immigrants and their level of integration with the local community. 100 people with immigration experience and 30 Białystok residents will participate in the measures.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the problem of insufficient support for migrants from the East in the Podlaskie voivodship. According to data from the Office for Foreigners, in 2021 there were 11679 foreigners in the voivodship, although this number increased sharply after Russia''s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. They are mainly people from Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. Migrants often start life in a new place without knowledge of the language and local realities, while children end up in an education system where they do not receive adequate support due to a lack of educational assistants in schools. Support for migrants in the first period of their stay in Poland, especially to help them integrate into the local community, is still insufficient.
As part of the project, an information and counselling centre was set up to provide advice to foreigners in various areas, including finding a job, housing, contacts with the authorities and legal advice. Four Polish language courses were organised at different levels. Specialist consultations were also held on health care, education, schooling, Polish administration, credit, etc. Support for migrant pupils was provided through the use of intercultural assistants in schools. The project promoter ran a ''migrant club'' - a place where people could get information or just spend time with others. Integration activities included cooking workshops, handicrafts, performances, thematic meetings, etc. Children were offered integration workshops during the winter and summer holidays.
The project provided integration support to migrants from Belarus, Ukraine and Russia living in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. The use of intercultural assistants in schools where children with migration experience study has shown that such support is effective and influences not only the well-being of the children, but also the working comfort and intercultural competences of the teaching staff. The project has undoubtedly helped to build links within the migrant community, but also with the local community in Podlasie.