ABOUT US

A space for good integration

The Space of Good Integration is an initiative to create a local model of support and integration in Poznań for people with refugee experience, especially those in a particularly difficult situation.

More and more people from Africa, the Middle and Far East are finding their way to Poland in search of security and new prospects. Although our country is rarely their final destination, for various reasons some of them decide to stay here.

There are currently many initiatives in Poland to support refugees from Ukraine, but there are still too few well-organised solutions for migrants from other regions of the world. The lack of adequate support causes many of these people to take the risky decision to continue their journey to the West, where the situation is becoming increasingly complicated.

The pilot programme 'Space for Good Integration' aims to create a system of assistance that will enable participants to function independently and build a life in Poland. In addition to psychological, material and legal support, the initiative relies on the involvement of the local community, education and cooperation with the widest possible range of people, organisations and institutions.

Migration is a natural process
and well known in human history.

Successful integration requires effort
on both sides
process.

Integration is a natural process resulting from the phenomenon of migration.

FUNDAMENTALS

The pillars of our action

Thanks to them, the Space of Good Integration is a project that supports not only refugees but also the local community. Our activities are innovative and unique in Poland, yet easy to implement in other cities.

1

INVOLVEMENT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

You can read more about community patronage here.

2

A KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR EVERYONE

We ensure that all our activities are conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner. We believe that openness builds trust and enables more effective support for both refugees and local communities. At the same time, we want to share our experiences and good practices because we believe that projects like ours have great social value. Our initiatives can become an inspiration for other cities and communities that want to create inclusive and mutually supportive spaces. We are happy to share our knowledge, working methods and lessons learned, so that you too can implement similar concepts in your localities. Together we can build an open, supportive and friendly society

3

MUTUAL CULTURAL EDUCATION

Mutual cultural education is one of the key elements of the Space for Good Integration. It is a process that is based on dialogue, openness and cooperation, enabling both refugee people and the local community to get to know each other better, their traditions, values and ways of life.

Why is this important?

🔶 It dispels stereotypes and prejudices, building mutual understanding.

🔶 Facilitates integration, creating an atmosphere of openness and acceptance.

🔶 Builds interpersonal relationships that foster better cooperation and support.

🔶 It enriches the community by introducing new perspectives, ideas and inspiration.

🔶 Intercultural meetings and workshops - an opportunity to learn about different cultures through talks, presentations and interactive activities.

🔶 Cooking and tasting together - cooking is one of the best ways to build bonds and discover new traditions.

🔶 Cultural events - festivals, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions and other initiatives to introduce cultural diversity.

🔶 Mentoring programmes - people with migration experience and local residents learn from each other through joint activities.

🔶 Education in schools and institutions - we organise talks, open lessons and educational programmes for children and young people.

How do we implement cultural education?

PROGRAMME

Our objectives

Our main goal is long-term social change, building an open, inclusive and integrated local community in which refugees and newcomers are fully accepted and supported by Polish citizens.

How do we achieve this?

🔶 Breaking down barriers and stereotypes - we involve the local community in integration processes to jointly counter xenophobia, stereotypes and cultural barriers.

🔶 Building intercultural ties - through joint activities we create space for dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation.

🔶 Social patronage model - we activate residents to become active participants in the integration, which allows the newcomers' needs to be better known and understood.

🔶 Long-term relationships instead of ad hoc assistance - we do not focus solely on immediate support, but lay the foundations for lasting bonds based on mutual support, understanding and interaction.

🔶 Local engagement - an innovation on the scale of Poznan - is the first such initiative in the city, and its model can easily be adapted to the realities of other localities.

To make our activities even more far-reaching, we plan to make available materials, good practices and a detailed implementation guide to replicate the Spaces for Good Inclusion model in other communities. In this way, the project can become a reference for future initiatives and help shape coherent, inclusive community projects across the country.

Inspiring other cities