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Description
In this project we work for the equal treatment and social participation of migrants of Ukrainian nationality residing in Chelm (a district of the City of Gdansk). We want to achieve our goals by creating and running a Local Support and Integration Point for Migrants. The NOVA Foundation has been running the Chelm Neighbourhood Club since 2019. We strive to meet the residents’ needs in terms of building local identity, activation as well as integration around their community and territory. We organise events and workshops, run a consultation point for residents, development training for adults, and help prepare and implement grassroots initiatives. Since 2021, our activities have been increasingly attended by migrants from Ukraine, who have become an integral part of our community. Therefore, as part of the project, we conduct educational and integration activities for people from Ukraine: legal consultations, adaptation and integration workshops and classes, language courses and conversations. We support a total of approximately 200 people of Ukrainian nationality. Through the project, we hope to increase the participation, recognition of rights and equal treatment of people of Ukrainian nationality in our neighbourhood. We implement the project in cooperation with the Icelandic organisation MIMIR, which has extensive experience in providing language courses and workshops to help integrate migrants in the community and adapt the labour market of the host country for migrants. Our second partner is the Chelm District Council, with whom we implement activities to improve the quality of life of the district''s Ukrainian residents.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to increase participation, recognition of rights and equal treatment of at least 200 migrants of Ukrainian nationality in the life of the local community in the Gdańsk district of Chełm by creating a Local Immigrant Support and Integration Point operating at the Chełm Neighbourhood Club. Launching a Local Immigrant Support and Integration Point at the Chełm Neighbourhood Club offering:
- residence, language, cultural, civic and social support for migrants of Ukrainian nationality.
- permanent residence and legal consultations for migrants (5 days a week)- providing basic information and civic advice, helping to complete official formalities
- adaptation and integration workshops for migrants.
The point was to cooperate with local institutions in order to solve migrants'' problems, diagnose the human rights situation in the district and local institutions (schools, clinics, etc.).
Support was to be provided by 2 national exper
All goals and challenges were achieved. Starting with the establishment of the Local Support Point and the integration of Immigrants Gdańsk-Chełm. The Point employed 2 experts, one of Polish nationality, the other of Ukrainian nationality, who supported people from Ukraine in everyday matters - enrolling a child in school, helping to fill in official documents, etc. 3 Polish language courses were conducted, as well as individual language consultations, integration and adaptation classes (including: art classes for adults and children, language classes, computer classes, creative classes). In addition, there were meetings with specialists - a psychologist, an economic advisor, a career advisor, a digital advisor. Polish-Ukrainian integration meetings were also organized (Easter, Christmas, holiday - barbecue, culinary, information meetings). Many people from Ukraine found jobs thanks to our support and coped with the new reality. Several people from Ukraine also conducted classes with us. Now we continue to conduct all kinds of classes at the NOVA Foundation and people from Ukraine are happy to come to us.
The activities we carried out as part of the project led to integration and great intimacy between people from Ukraine and local residents. We were very impressed by the commitment and willingness to help people from Ukraine by seniors from Chełm.
The development of the information guide meant that migrants knew exactly where and to whom to turn for help or advice. The guide helped them find their way in the new reality. Workshops - mainly computer-based - contributed to: finding work among participants, getting to know and using official portals (e-PUAP, e-pacjent, m-obywatel, e-pit, etc.)
Polish language course - knowledge of Polish led to greater independence of participants. (These people found a job, enrolled their child in school, made an appointment with a doctor. In addition, they can fill out documents and talk to local residents in Polish)
Through the activities of LPWiII, people from Ukraine not only willingly used our help, but also started to get involved in the project concerning the local community and integration of both nationalities. 3 immigrants led classes with us, they were Ms. Tetiana - art classes, Ms. Maryia - career counseling (she also previously worked at the Polish employment office - which helped her compatriots find work even more) and Ms. Alla - a psychologist who helped migrants with emotions and fears. Thanks to individual career and digital counseling, many people found jobs and found their place in "our world"
Summary of bilateral results
As part of the project, we carried out a number of activities in the field of bilateral cooperation with our partner, the MIMIR organization from Iceland. The aim of the cooperation was to gain knowledge about informal education systems and methods of integrating migrants, as well as to exchange experiences regarding the management and organization of educational activities. Overall, we assess the cooperation with MIMIR as very fruitful and enriching. We gained valuable knowledge about Icelandic informal education systems and methods of integrating migrants, which we plan to implement in our activities. Benefits and challenges Benefits for the NOVA Foundation: • Increased competences of the management and educational staff. • Learning innovative methods of teaching and integrating migrants. • Development of an educational offer addressed to migrants from beyond the eastern border. Benefits for MIMIR: • Enriched knowledge about the Polish informal education system. • Possibility to adapt the educational offer for Poles living in Iceland. Challenges: • Integration of the knowledge gained with existing practices. • Adaptation of innovative solutions to local conditions and needs. Conclusions and next steps The study visit and cooperation with MIMIR were extremely valuable for both parties. We plan further cooperation, the aim of which will be the exchange of experiences and the development of joint educational projects. The participants of the visit received certificates of participation, and the experience gained will contribute to the internationalization of the NOVA Foundation and the expansion of our educational offer.