Project description:
„Navigate Poland: Migrant Assistance Program” is a comprehensive initiative designed to support individuals with migration or refugee experience residing in the Lower Silesia region. The project addresses key challenges migrants face in Poland—such as language, administrative, and social barriers—and supports their adaptation process and active participation in local community life. The activities are aimed at enhancing participants’ independence, legal awareness, and everyday competencies, while also strengthening the region’s social cohesion.
Project objective:
The goal of the project is to improve the level of adaptation and integration of people with migration experience in Lower Silesia by providing broad access to information, counseling, legal consultations, and training aimed at developing social and professional skills. The project aims to support at least 8,000 individuals — including primarily Ukrainian nationals and third-country nationals—with special attention to women, children, and the elderly.
Key project activities__
1. Operating information and advisory points in three cities across Lower Silesia
At least 5,000 people will receive information and advisory support through the following services:
• Individual consultations, held both in person and online, covering topics such as residence legalization, access to the labor market, the education system, and social assistance.
• Assistance in communicating with public and educational institutions, including help with filling out forms, translating official correspondence, and preparing for visits to government offices.
2. Group meetings and workshops
A series of meetings and workshops is planned to provide informational support to approximately 2,700 people.
• The sessions will be topic-based and organized in various locations—including smaller towns—as well as online, to ensure accessibility for participants across the entire region.
3. Legal counseling
The project includes individual legal consultations aimed at helping individuals facing legal challenges and raising their legal awareness.
• A total of 600 hours of individual legal advice will be provided to at least 300 people.
• Consultations will be led by experienced lawyers and will cover areas such as labor law, civil law, family law, and administrative law.
• The support will be available both in person and online, enabling participation from across the region.
Expected project outcomes__
The project is designed to deliver a range of positive outcomes, benefiting both individuals with migration experience and local communities and institutions. In addition to immediate support, the initiative will contribute to long-term integration efforts and help build a cohesive and inclusive society.
For individuals with migration experience:
- Improved access to information, public services, and the labor market, making daily life easier.
- Greater understanding of their rights and responsibilities in Poland, promoting active social participation.
- Reduced language, administrative, and social barriers.
- Enhanced everyday and professional skills, supporting labor market engagement.
- Increased sense of security, independence, and empowerment.
- Improved quality of life and more effective integration into the local environment.
For the local community:
- Strengthened social cohesion and development of intercultural dialogue.
- Creation of a more open, empathetic, and diverse local environment.
- Reduced social tensions through better mutual understanding.
- Enhanced social and economic potential of the region through the active participation of migrants.
For public and local institutions:
- Reduced institutional burden thanks to more informed and self-reliant beneficiaries.
- Development of effective cross-sectoral collaboration models for integration.
- Provision of knowledge and data to support the creation of effective future migration policies.
The “Support program for the adaptation and integration of migrants and refugees in Lower Silesia – Navigate Poland: Migrant Assistance Program” is funded by the International Rescue Committee Poland. This material was created with support from the International Rescue Committee. The views expressed are those of Foundation Ukraine and do not reflect the official position of the International Rescue Committee.