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Description
The aim of the project is to support organisations and institutions willing to connect senior volunteers (aged over 60) and refugees through conversations in Polish. Some of the refugees will stay in Poland longer and build their lives here – working or looking for work, benefiting from education, health care, or culture. It is important to create the conditions for them to feel as comfortable and safe as possible in our country. This can be easier if relationships with Poles in the local communities are built, also by learning the Polish language. One of the simplest and most effective ways of learning the language for adults is through 1-on-1 conversations. Between 2020 and 2022, we ran pilot projects where a method of work was developed to integrate migrants through activities with seniors. The method used language conversations as a way to build relationships and strengthen social solidarity. Similar activities are carried out in many places in Europe. In Poland, we were the first to carry them out, and 100% of the pilot projects'' participants would recommend such activities to others. We would like to share the experience of our projects and support 10 local organisations in implementing this method in their communities. As part of the project, we provide training, develop educational materials and offer tutoring. We train seniors in intercultural communication and the basics of teaching Polish as a language. In at least 10 localities, 90 pairs of seniors and migrants involved in building relationships through learning the Polish language are being formed. The experience of the project will help to create educational materials to support further communities in similar activities. The project is implemented by Creative Initiatives Society "ę" in partnership with the Polish Migration Forum.
Summary of project results
"Poland for beginners and advanced - pass it on!" is an educational project whose aim was to support organizations and local government institutions in connecting volunteers 60+ with migrants, including people with refugee experience, through conversations in Polish. The project aimed to respond to the challenges related to the inclusion of migrants and refugees who plan to stay in Poland for longer and build their future lives here.
The main challenge was to create social conditions in which new residents could feel good and safe. A key element of this process is establishing relationships with Poles in local communities. As part of the project, this took place through joint conversations in Polish, which is one of the simplest and most effective ways for adults to learn a language.
Conversations in pairs enable not only learning the language, but also establishing and deepening new friendships, thus supporting the process of social inclusion. This form of activity became the foundation of activities in the project and the beginning of building relationships not only between tandem participants, but also in the wider community. Thanks to this, the project supported the integration of migrants with local residents, creating more cohesive and open communities.
11 local social organizations and cultural institutions were involved in the project. 291 people took part in it, including 131 volunteers 60+ and 160 migrants and refugees. The project assumptions were exceeded by 111 beneficiaries, which proves great interest. The organizations were supported by the Society of Creative Initiatives "ę" and the Polish Migration Forum through workshops, training, recruitment assistance, distribution of educational materials, work with tutors and supervision meetings. After completing the project, an evaluation was carried out and the results were discussed at the final meeting.
The project resulted in:
- multilingual recruitment posters and leaflets and a manual "How to organize conversations for people aged 60+ and people with migrant and refugee experience" in electronic form;
- 130 hours of workshops, 10 hours of supervision and over 55 hours of tutoring;
- evaluation report with recommendations, description of impact, benefits and challenges;
- multimedia presentation with evaluation conclusions and a map of the conversation model.
Additionally:
- 24 leaders from 12 organizations gained integration competences thanks to the workshops, and another 40 thanks to the final meeting.
- couples completed 4,000 hours of conversation;
- 160 refugees/migrants learned Polish and established relationships;
- 131 people aged 60+ acquired competences to learn Polish through online training, educational materials and supervisions;
- 11 organizations have established local partnerships for the integration of seniors and migrants with offices and refugee centers;
- the project brought significant benefits, increasing the competences of participants and strengthening local support networks.
Thanks to meetings in pairs and larger groups, most migrants not only developed their knowledge of Polish, but also established deeper relationships with the volunteer and the wider community around the organization''s activities. This is evidenced by the declarations of migrants and refugees obtained during evaluation studies and the observations of coordinators and volunteers. Migrants find it easier to speak Polish, understand the spoken language better and can use different phrases more accurately in the context of specific situations (e.g. at the doctor''s, in a restaurant, shop, office, etc.). In addition to the most important language aspect, the sense of inclusion in the local community was also important.
Most volunteers acquired the necessary intercultural and linguistic competences. They also gained numerous emotional benefits, such as the satisfaction of helping others, establishing relationships with migrants, learning about another culture, spending time constructively and counteracting stereotypes. Volunteers were deeply engaged and actively shared their experiences, acting as advocates in their communities. Both groups of participants were very satisfied with their participation and willing to recommend it to others.
Leaders of local organizations gained practical knowledge and experience, overcoming difficulties and adapting activities to various needs. The coordinators who took part in the study were satisfied with the implementation of the project. Despite difficulties, they often found effective solutions, which increased their authority and the trust of their colleagues. The organizations gained experience, better understanding of the local needs of older adults and migrants, and an effective operating model in both environments. They also formed valuable partnerships, strengthening the local support network. The local community learned about the project thanks to organizations, volunteers and migrants who were project ambassadors.