With people arriving as a result of the war in Ukraine in mind, the Wrocław Centre for Social Development has published the second edition of the Map of Wrocław for new residents. The map was created by members of the WroMigrant information point team, who provide information support to refugees and migrants every day at Przejście Dialogu (Passage of Dialogue).
The map marks the most important addresses and offers practical advice to help newcomers deal with the necessary formalities after arrival and feel confident in our city. Published in Ukrainian and Polish, the map will also be useful for people hosting refugees in their homes, as well as for volunteers, teachers and public officials.
Dorota Feliks, Director of the Wrocław Centre for Social Development: “For years, WCRS has been supporting new residents of Wrocław who come from many different countries. People fleeing the war, however, face a difficult task. They arrive in a crisis situation and have to rebuild their lives in a country that is new to them, often without any contacts or knowledge of Polish. Many of them are pregnant women, people with young children, older people or people travelling with animals. We would like to make newcomers’ first steps in Wrocław easier – hence the idea for a new, updated version of the map.”
The map, in both its first and second editions, is the only publication of its kind in Wrocław intended specifically for newcomers.
As Paulina Maciak from the WCRS Intercultural Dialogue Team explains: “On the map, we have marked over 50 addresses and telephone numbers of Wrocław’s key public offices, information points, social welfare institutions, medical and psychological care facilities, and non-governmental organisations helping people who have arrived from Ukraine since 24 February. We have also included practical tips on housing, obtaining the necessary documents, applying for benefits and looking for work, among other things.”
The Map of Wrocław has been printed in 20,000 copies. From June, it is available at the following locations:
- Przejście Dialogu, ul. Świdnicka 19 (underground passage)
- Support point at Czasoprzestrzeń, ul. Tramwajowa 1-3
- Accommodation points for refugees from Ukraine
- Branches of the Municipal Public Library
- Selected nursery schools and primary schools
the support point at Czasoprzestrzeń, ul. Tramwajowa 1-3, accommodation points for refugees from Ukraine, selected nursery schools and schools, and branches of the Municipal Public Library. The map can also be downloaded online at wielokultury.wroclaw.pl in the Library section.
The municipal WroMigrant information point was set up in 2019 on the initiative of WCRS in response to growing migration to Wrocław and the need to provide information to migrants, both those already living in the city and those who have just arrived. Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the WroMigrant team has expanded its consultations at Przejście Dialogu. In-person consultations take place from Monday to Saturday at ul. Świdnicka 19. Since February 2022, working together with teams from the Regional Chamber of Legal Advisers, the Institute for Migrant Rights and volunteers, the team has provided information support to almost 20,000 people.
“We will continue our consultations – in person, by e-mail and by phone – throughout the summer, from Monday to Saturday. Our consultations are free of charge and are available in Ukrainian, Russian, English, Belarusian and Polish. We provide information on, for example, how and where to obtain a PESEL number with UKR status, which benefits you can apply for, how to enrol a child in nursery school or school, where to look for job offers, how to make a doctor’s appointment, who offers material assistance, and much more,” says Paulina Maciak.
If you are interested in receiving or distributing the map, please contact the “WroMigrant” team by e-mail: wromigrant@wcrs.pl.
This activity is carried out as part of the reSTART project, co-financed by the National Programme of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the state budget.
