On 10 October 2024, Dom Europy (Europe House) hosted the Wrocław launch of the international @nclusion project, dedicated to supporting the integration of LGBTQI+ migrants at the local level. The inauguration attracted more than 40 professionals interested in diversity and integration. In Poland, the project is carried out by Fundacja Ukraina and Wrocław Municipality, represented by the Wrocław Centre for Social Development and the Equal Treatment Office of Wrocław City Hall.
The aim of the project “@nclusion – supporting the integration of LGBTQI+ migrants at the local level” is above all to draw attention to the adaptation and integration of LGBTQI+ people with migration experience, who, owing to the challenges they face, are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and social exclusion.
The project is carried out in Wrocław with financial support from the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund for 2021-2027. Organisations and local authorities from six European countries take part in it: Poland, Germany, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Italy – countries where migration rates remain high.
Artem Zozulia, President of Fundacja Ukraina, explained why Wrocław’s representatives joined the project – In Wrocław, we have been working for the migrant community for years, and since 2022 also for refugees from Ukraine. We are currently focusing our support on groups at particular risk of social exclusion. One such group is LGBTQI+ people with migration and refugee experience. That is why we joined a project that identifies challenges but also aims to develop concrete solutions and implement them over a three-year period.
Dorota Feliks, Director of the Wrocław Centre for Social Development, highlighted the many years of cooperation between Wrocław’s local government, civil society organisations and public services in the field of intercultural dialogue – The @nclusion project is an important initiative because of the local involvement of both the local government and many social partners, without whom work on the project would be impossible. Public awareness of the needs of people at risk of exclusion is undoubtedly growing, but this work is never finished. Knowledge and skills need to be strengthened. That is why we are particularly pleased with the response from local government employees who took part in the survey and expressed their willingness to get involved in the next stages of the project.
During the event, participants learned about the project’s objectives, the tasks planned for 2024-2027 and the results of the cooperation. The project is based on a partnership between representatives of public institutions and civil society organisations. Activities will include, for example, practical training to build knowledge and skills in supporting LGBTQI+ migrants and refugees. At a later stage, the project will also create a multilingual information portal on life in Poland and a mentoring programme for people with migration and refugee experience.
In the second part of the event, Alina Szeptycka, Director of the Equal Treatment Office of Wrocław City Hall, talked about the many diversity projects carried out under the banner of “Wrocław – City of Equality” and about the city authorities’ efforts to build an inclusive community – Social diversity is a fact – it is our asset, but also a challenge. Work and important decisions are still needed to support people affected by social exclusion, including members of the LGBT+ community. There is still a lot to be done at the political and social level; fortunately, at the local government level, where we are closest to residents, we can act together, as our participation in the @nclusion project shows.
The final item on the programme was a speech by Anna Przybysz-Smarzyński of Stowarzyszenie Kultura Równości, the project’s content partner. The association, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, works for equality and equal rights and also supports LGBTQI+ refugees, offering them, among other things, material assistance, psychological support and specialist training.
More about the project “@nclusion – supporting the integration of LGBTQI+ migrants at the local level” can be found on the websites of the Wrocław Centre for Social Development: https://dmw.wcrs.dev.foreto.com/en/projects/clusion-project_eu/ and Fundacja Ukraina https://fundacjaukraina.eu/projekty/nclusion-wspieranie-integracji-migrantow-lgbtqi-na-poziomie-lokalnym/
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The project is co-funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (2021-2027) (AMIF 2023-TF2-AG-CALL-02-LOCAL.). Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
#inclusion #integracja #LGBTQI+ #Wrocław #równość
