Description
The project will have two parts. First, workshops will be conducted in nearly all schools in Zgierz (1,500 individuals aged 10-18) to help learn about other cultures and build respect for diversity. Secondly, the new knowledge will be applied by young people as they organise the Multicultural Zgierz Festival. The event will feature a number of activities that will help young people and adults become more aware of the challenges posed by anti-Semitism, hate speech and discrimination and of the culturally diverse history of the town. The project is a reaction to mounting xenophobia, anti-Semitism and radical right-wing sentiments among the local youth. As a result of the project, young people in Zgierz will gain basic understanding of culture and the arbitrariness and relativity of the dividing lines between people, and thus they will become less susceptible to the far-right propaganda.
Summary of project results
"In Zgierz, the problem of discrimination and hatred exists and is plain to see during violent protests against the nearby centre for refugees and while passing the walls covered with numerous islamophobic, anti-Semitic and homophobic graffiti. The Association had undertaken several attempts to eliminate these paintings and writing from the urban space but they were met with attacks from nationalistic and racist groups. According to the Foundation's diagnosis, these groups consist of mostly young people, particularly from communities at risk of marginalization and exclusion, who do not see other ways of creating their own community and building their own dignity. The aim of the project was to enable the development of the attitude of acceptance among young people from Zgierz through getting them acquainted with other cultures and teaching them how to respect diversity and how to get engaged in their communities life. Thanks to the project implementation, there is now a group of over 100 young people who are capable of preparing and implementing project with the aim to counteract hatred and discrimination. Over 1.5 thousand children and young people from Zgierz and the vicinity had an opportunity to participate in a cycle of activities related to hatred and discrimination. Scenarios for workshops were prepared. 10 school events “Celebrating diversity"" were organized. The sites of the Jewish cemetery and the Jewish quarter in Zgierz were marked and cleaned up. Multi-format mural was painted in the town centre to promote the attitude of openness to multiculturalism. Three audio guides of Zgierz were recorded and 3 issues of a monthly “Zgrzyt"" (Spoiler) were published. The project beneficiaries were school children and youth from Zgierz and the vicinity."
Summary of bilateral results