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Description
Today in Poland there are approximately 40 active entities organising the so-called Live Libraries (capacity to meet people from groups seen stereotypically or discriminated in order to talk about their life and ask any questions). It is very efficient tools for reducing prejudice. Unfortunately, the current social and political status makes that organising Live Library is becoming more and more difficult. People organising Live Libraires are faced, among others, with unfriendly attitude of local governments, current support is insufficient for organisers from small towns who are in need of the support of a person familiar with their region. As a reaction, we have come up with an idea of creating regional Live Libraries which would promote the method and conducting trainings and activities in small towns.The aim of the project will be to enhance organisations from small towns in their anti-discriminatory activities. As a result, we will get a de-centralised Live Polish Libraries Network and have regional centres established which will uninterruptedly support local organisations. The project assumes cascade activities - from enhancing the Live Polish Libraries Network, thorough training and accreditting regional coordinators, establishing regional centres of the Network in at least 7 regions, training new entities and implementation of Live Libraries directly in local communities. We will work out a long-lasting mechanism for support and a formal coalition of the organisations working with the use of Live Library method. In the long run, the project will contribute to changing the perception of minorities as soon as you take part in the Live Library.The partner of the project is Credit Agricole Bank Polska. We intend to move the partnership onto the Poland-wide level. This will let us diversify financing of these NGOs and will free them from the need to search for subsidies in their communes which frequently are not in favour of such projects on human rights.
Summary of project results
The project addressed several existing social issues, as highlighted in the report "Intergroup Contact and Social Distance in the Polish Prejudice Survey 3", which indicated the rarity of intergroup interactions in Poland, particularly involving minority groups. The lack of such contact contributed to growing discrimination and incidents of racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic hate crimes.
Project activities tailored to these needs were essential to counteract the increasing social distance, prejudice, and discrimination. This was particularly critical in smaller towns, where the Human Library was more needed, and where a lack of support and organizational difficulties could lead to the disappearance of events, a rise in prejudices, and hate-motivated violence.
Benefits of the Project Activities:
Accreditation and Capacity Building: Strengthening the competencies of Regional Coordinators through training sessions, a study visit, and the provision of a dedicated Trainer’s Handbook, which contributed to improving the quality of local Human Libraries as anti-discrimination events.
Training of Local Organizers: Training 91 local organizers who successfully implemented 100% of the planned local Human Libraries and plan to continue these activities, enhancing the educational value of the project in the areas of human rights and diversity within their communities.
Establishment of Working Groups: Creating working groups that outlined the structure of the Human Library Poland Network, enabling local organizers to shape the network and provide more systematic support for local efforts.
Promotional and Educational Campaign: Conducting a campaign that expanded access to anti-discrimination education and engaged the community in discussions about the Human Library methodology.
Implementation of Local Events: Organizing 40 local Human Libraries, allowing hundreds of readers and Living Books to participate in these events. This sparked discussions about the experiences of marginalized groups and initiated sustainable local partnerships to address discrimination.
Participation in the III Human Library Forum: Engaging 45 participants in the forum, fostering connections among attendees and integrating them into the evolving Human Library Poland Network.
Through the project, we strengthened dozens of organizations in conducting anti-discrimination initiatives, directly increasing the number of activities in various regions. This success extended beyond the project’s duration. Organizations that underwent training and completed their required Human Library events have since organized additional events, with many planning future initiatives. This demonstrates that the project significantly bolstered the civic sector in anti-discrimination education by enhancing organizational competencies and encouraging community participation in such events.
The creation of a robust network structure with clear procedures for registration, participation, decision-making, and support through regional centers has already proven effective. This is evident in the registration of new Human Libraries and the active work of regional centers, which have begun organizing their training sessions. The new leadership of the network has specific plans to engage members, regularly updates them about new events, and forms new working groups. This demonstrates that the "Locally for Diversity" project served as a springboard, elevating our efforts to a new level that will allow for even greater support of local initiatives.