The aim of the project is to support organisations and institutions willing to connect senior volunteers (aged over 60) and refugees through conversations in Polish. Some of the refugees will stay in Poland longer and build their lives here – working or looking for work, benefiting from education, health care, or culture. It is important to create the conditions for them to feel as comfortable and safe as possible in our country. This can be easier if relationships with Poles in the local communities are built, also by learning the Polish language. One of the simplest and most effective ways of learning the language for adults is through 1-on-1 conversations. Between 2020 and 2022, we ran pilot projects where a method of work was developed to integrate migrants through activities with seniors. The method used language conversations as a way to build relationships and strengthen social solidarity. Similar activities are carried out in many places in Europe. In Poland, we were the first to carry them out, and 100% of the pilot projects’ participants would recommend such activities to others.

We would like to share the experience of our projects and support 10 local organisations in implementing this method in their communities. As part of the project, we provide training, develop educational materials and offer tutoring. We train seniors in intercultural communication and the basics of teaching Polish as a language. In at least 10 localities, 90 pairs of seniors and migrants involved in building relationships through learning the Polish language are being formed. The experience of the project will help to create educational materials to support further communities in similar activities. The project is implemented by Creative Initiatives Society “ę” in partnership with the Polish Migration Forum.