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Description
An estimated 17% of the population in Poland face poverty every day and are consequently frequently excluded from community life and stigmatized. The need to include these groups and the organizations working with them in work to devise solutions, strategies and schemes to counteract exclusion is emphasized in the European Anti-Poverty Network (what poverty is and how to fight it, 2020). This has found that these measures are insufficient in Poland (2019 report). When addressing this problem, we intend to enhance the competencies of people who experience poverty and social exclusion, and improve their say, and of social organizations in solving the problems of poverty and access to social services. We will organize joint discussions among various groups on the subject of poverty and exclusion (four meetings of Participatory Groups - devising standpoints for authorities, four regional debates with study visits). We will select a group of five self-advocates (two meetings) to work on reports on poverty in Poland (2021-2022), brochures on right of access to social services, and a guide on writing about poverty in the media for journalists. We will hold a journalism competition for the best article/reportage/program about poverty, and two meetings of social organizations, and publish a monthly newsletter. This will mean an improvement of knowledge of CSOs and people experiencing poverty and exclusion, increase in media sensitivity, and public awareness. People experiencing poverty and exclusion (ten people), organizations that work with them, public authorities, and journalists – 150 people will participate. The partner (EAPN Iceland) will share its know-how on direct inclusion of people experiencing poverty and exclusion in advocacy measures and public debates, and produce an expert opinion for measures of that kind in Poland.
Summary of project results
The project responded to the problem of exclusion based on socio-economic status. It is estimated that in Poland about 17% of the population is confronted with poverty on a daily basis and, as a result, is often excluded from social life and stigmatised. Activities aimed at the participation of groups affected by poverty and exclusion are carried out in a way that is inadequate and does not fully take into account the involvement of those affected themselves. The need to involve these groups and the organisations working with them in efforts to design solutions, policies and programmes to combat exclusion is highlighted by the European Anti-Poverty Network (''What is poverty and how to fight it'', 2020). This is extremely important given the subjectivity of these people.
The project organised joint discussions between different communities on poverty and exclusion. A group of participatory experts (5 people) was formed; 5 meetings of participatory groups and 4 regional participatory debates were held. A group of self-advocates - people experiencing poverty and social exclusion - was involved in the development of educational materials. A ''Poverty Watch'' report and a ''Guide to Responsible Representation of Poverty in the Media'' for journalists were produced. A competition for journalistic material "Faces of Poverty" was also organised. Information leaflets for people experiencing homelessness and several issues of a newsletter were also produced. The partner, EAPN Iceland, prepared an expert study on the fight against poverty in Iceland and project participants took part in a study visit to Iceland.
The project targeted people experiencing poverty and exclusion, organisations dealing with the problem, public administration and the media. As a result, NGOs and people experiencing poverty were empowered and public awareness of the issue was raised. The voice of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion and the organisations gathered in WRZOS and the Polish Committee of EAPN was strengthened in terms of dialogue and discussion on the issues of poverty and access to social services and their impact on public opinion. The project has contributed to stimulating social activity and equalising opportunities for those most at risk of social exclusion through their equal participation in project activities.
Summary of bilateral results
In the case of our project, it was very important to have a foreign partner with experience in directly involving people experiencing poverty and social exclusion in public life and public policy-making. Our project partner - EAPN Iceland is mainly people experiencing the aforementioned problems. For many years, the partner has been effective in taking measures to engage people experiencing poverty and exclusion in various areas of social life. Through the implementation of the joint project, we had the opportunity to take a very close look at the activities of partner organizations and also to bring the recipients of our activities together themselves. This exchange allowed us to better understand the needs and problems of both sides, to exchange experiences and to jointly seek solutions. The exchange showed both sides how important it is to look at someone from a different perspective (Poland to Iceland and vice versa), improved understanding and increased the knowledge of both sides about the problems of people experiencing poverty and the situation of NGOs in both countries. The Icelandic partners were at the closing conference of our project, where they also established new relationships. We continue to stay in touch and look forward to continuing cooperation in the future.