Before we share exciting news on the next edition of the integration grant contest, here are some updates on the last edition. IOM has concluded its grants contest to support integration activities for children in Polish schools! In March, IOM invited NGOs and schools from across Poland to develop inclusive initiatives to promote intercultural awareness and to enhance social inclusion. The selected applicants were supported with trainings and grants to hold activities and create inclusive, open and safe school environments in 58 Polish cities and villages.

These online trainings included:

•  Social Mixing trainings conducted by IOM Poland
•  Trainings regarding how to support in a multicultural school environment conducted by Polskie Forum Migracyjne

A final event for the grant recipients brought together over 80 attendees, giving them the opportunity to network and exchange their plans and ideas of the integration process in schools. Guests and presenters included the Ministerstwo Edukacji Narodowej, UNICEF, Polskie Forum Migracyjne (PFM), Ośrodek Rozwoju Edukacji (ORE).

An estimated 25,000 children from local and migrant communities attended the events hosted by the schools and NGOs and roughly 50,000 individuals total indirectly benefitted from the events. Countries of origin of the participants included Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, UK, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Russia, Egypt, Argentina, Afghanistan, Vietnam, USA, and more. IOM Poland would like to thank all of the participants, who took part in the grant contest and conducted the activities for migrant and local communities all over Poland! Thank you for your interest, commitment, great ideas, and for making the world a better place!

U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration