Reconnections January – December 2023

From the 1st of January 2023 until the 31st of December 2023, there were 155  persons reconnected with BARKA’s support:

97 men
34 women
24 youngsters

Including 11 families

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN  

Total: 155

Romania 63
Poland 36
Latvia 16
Ukraine 8
Slovakia 5
Portugal 3
Hungary 4
UK 4
Italy 3
Czech Rep 2
Lithuania 2
Croatia 1
Germany 1
Dutch 1
Bulgaria 1
France 1
Belgium 1
Iraq 1
Romania/Canada 1

 

BARKA supported persons of 20 nationalities – 15 from the EU and 5 from outside the EU.

The majority of homeless people who’ve returned to their countries with Barka’s support are Romanians, but our team also works with clients of other nationalities, mainly Polish, Latvian, Slovak, and Ukrainian citizens. Communicating with homeless groups is made easier due to the presence of Barka leaders who are former homeless persons with many years of training and preparation from Barka.

Report on the study visit to The Netherlands, 26th September – 1st October 2023

On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Barka NL (Stichting Barka), a study visit involving the international Barka network, co-funded by the EU Erasmus Plus programme, took place with the following participants: Barka NL, Barka UK, Barka Ireland, the Barka For Mutual Aid Foundation in Poland and Barka Germany

By Anna McKeever

Tuesday, 26th September

Most groups travelled on the day and reached their accommodation in the afternoon or in the evening.

Wednesday, 27th September

The participants in the study visit were divided into small groups and, along with Barka Leaders from individual cities, participated in the patrols of their mobile groups and visited day centres, where they could directly observe the work of Barka NL and ask questions related to helping homeless immigrants in the Netherlands. The cities visited by the groups were: Groningen, The Hague, Eindhoven, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Gouda, Rozendaal & Antwerp.

In The Hague, Barka NL, under the leadership of Larisa, is co-creating, in co-operation with the city and two other organisations, a project involving the New Generation Multicultural Centre for Migrants. We also saw a modern-day centre for homeless people created in a Protestant church in Rotterdam.

We ended the day in a special way by meeting together in the evening for dinner and sharing our impressions and experiences with others, in addition to welcoming those who had arrived in the Netherlands that afternoon.

Thursday, 28th September

All participants in the study visit arrived, along with Barka NL employees and volunteers, in Utrecht in the morning, where a conference was held to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Barka in the Netherlands. The conference was hosted by Ziggy Klazes, a TV presenter, and opened by Rachel Streefland, the Commissioner of Social Affairs, who welcomed the guests on behalf of Utrecht City Council. Ewa Sadowska-Keogh welcomed the participants on behalf of the Barka Management Board.

The conference was also attended by: Magdalena Chwarścianek-Mitov, Director of Barka NL and Barka Belgium, who gave an overview of the history of the creation of Barka NL and its activities in The Netherlands. Barbara Sadowska, whom the conference host interviewed, talked about the mission of Barka and the organisation’s beginnings in Poland over 30 years ago.

Piotr Śmigielski (whose nickname is No. 7), told his story of meeting Barka and gave an account of the changes which had taken place in his life, along with some challenging moments and his work for Barka now as a Leader.

The next stage of the programme, entitled: “Employees from Central and Eastern Europe in difficult situations” prepared by Elske Witts, a senior researcher at the Research Institute in The Hague, involved the presentation of research results. Between the speeches and presentations there was time for short performances by the violinist Ewa Pepper.

One interesting part of the programme was a panel discussion on offering better healthcare and shelter for homeless migrants from CEE countries, in which the following panellists participated: Monique van den Berg, Director of the EU Project for Economic Workers from The Hague, Ronald Smit, responsible for public health in the municipality of Utrecht, Sabine Beerbaum, from the Association of Dutch Municipalities and Cities, Ferdinand van de Velde, Head of the Salvation Army Day Centre in Utrecht, and Larisa Melinceanu, Coordinator of the ‘Returns’ Programme, which facilitates the return to the countries of origin of homeless migrants.

Friday, 29th September

In the morning, we started the day with a visit to the Salvation Army Day Centre in Utrecht, where the head of the facility described its activities and the manner in which homeless migrants are looked after, along with their rights or rather the lack of them, and cooperation with the Barka NL staff who work at the centre.

From Utrecht we took a train to the Barka NL office in The Hague, where we were joined by Barka NL leaders and their assistants, along with some employees and volunteers. The 10th birthday of Barka NL was celebrated in a grand fashion in the office in the Hague.

After lunch and numerous conversations, it was time for a birthday cake (or even two!) and a group photo. We had the opportunity to learn more about the work of the Barka NL employees in The Hague and the crucial work of Barka volunteers.

After this meeting, it was time for a brief visit to the seaside promenade in The Hague before returning to our hotels.

Saturday, 30th September

On Saturday morning we went to Amsterdam for the whole day, meeting a Polish-speaking guide at the station and exploring the city centre.

After the sightseeing tour and a short coffee break, we went to the canal embankment where a boat was waiting for us. We had lunch on the vessel and admired the many beautiful views of Amsterdam and its canals.

Our leaders were presented with special certificates for completing the study visit – it was also time to exchange our experiences and impressions of visiting Barka NL and the Netherlands.

Niedziela, 1 października

Czas wyjazdu/wylotu dla wszystkich uczestników wizyty studyjnej. Dziękujemy całemu zespołowi Barki NL za przygotowanie super ciekawego, pouczającego i integracyjnego pobytu w Holandii oraz za okazaną cierpliwość, życzliwość i piękne wspomnienia które ze sobą zabraliśmy.

Reconnections January – June 2023

From the 1st of January until the 30th of June 2023, there were 83 persons reconnected:

  1. Romania 42
  2. Poland 17
  3. Latvia 7
  4. Ukraine 4
  5. Slovakia 3
  6. Portugal 3
  7. Italy 2
  8. Croatia 1
  9. Hungary 1
  10. Dutch 1
  11. Germany 1
  12. Turkey 1

Of which:

47 men
23 women
13 youngsters

7 families

The Barka team also supported 12 persons who needed passports.

 

 

Thank you note

Barka Ireland would like to thank Mary Flynn, Deputy Director at DRHE Housing and Community Services who is leaving Dublin City Council to enjoy her retirement, for her dedication and service to the citizens of Dublin Region, and for her support to civil society.

Mary has been very passionate about ending homelessness and rough sleeping in Dublin and has been very supportive of grassroots initiatives helping those who are struggling including migrants and refugees who are susceptible to facing difficulties as they are trying to build their new lives in Ireland.

Thank you, Mary, for your contribution to peace and social inclusion.

BARKA IE meets The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity

Our representative of Barka Ireland took part in the meeting with Jerzy Owsiak – the charismatic leader of Poland’s biggest non-governmental, non-profit, charity foundation, The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. This charity raises money for pediatric and elderly people’s care.

The GOCC aims to improve health care in Poland by purchasing state-of-the-art medical equipment for Polish hospitals and clinics and also by establishing and running medical and educational programs around Poland.

Aneta Kubas, project assistant at Barka IE, was one of about 100 members of the Polish community, who gathered at the Epic Museum in Dublin on the 25th of May. Jerzy Owsiak gave a powerful speech about the importance of volunteering, ways of building a civil society, and how to overcome one’s personal barriers and disorders.

Since April 2016, the GOCC ranks at number one on lists as the most trusted public entity; according to Brand Asset Valuator. The GOCC foundation organises the biggest open-air, free-entry music festival in Europe – the Pol’and’Rock Festival.

Barka IE’s 10th-anniversary celebrations and conference also took place in the Epic Museum during November last year.

photo: WOŚP Dublin

Monitoring ANNUAL report on the work of BARKA for Mutual Help with the Central and Eastern European citizens in Dublin 01/01 – 31/12/2021

This report presents data covering the year 2021, providing the insight into the impact of the Covid-19 ‘lockdown’ period on homelessness.

OUR MISSION

The mission of Barka IE is to provide severely excluded Eastern European migrants with the opportunity for reconnection and social reintegration. We can support individuals within Barka Network projects in Poland, help them return to their families, or support them in addressing their addictions and going into rehab.

In our migrants’ support projects, we work in teams of two people: a leader and an assistant. A leader is a person who has personal experience with homelessness and addiction, that is combated and rehabilitated within the Barka Network educational and community programs. The assistant is a person who knows a foreign language, has a formal education (e.g a degree in social work, psychology), and provides support to the leader. This method of work proved to be very effective in London, Dublin, Hamburg, and Utrecht.

SUPPORTING EASTERN EUROPEAN MIGRANTS IN DUBLIN

BARKA core objectives are:

1. Support to homeless and rough sleeping Central and Eastern European nationals towards reconnection to Home Countries

2. Assistance with Accessing Emergency Accommodation in Dublin when required

3. Assistance with Accessing rehabilitation and therapy, vocal training and a job in the home country.

  1. Fostering Social and Vocational Integration – educational and community programs, creating workplaces, and accessible housing program (BARKA NETWORK in Central and Eastern Europe).

  2. Key Working and Case Management; Assistance in Social service institutions and public offices, Language and Translation Service in Polish, English, and Russian.

  3. BARKA’S cooperation with Eastern European Consulates and Embassies in Dublin results in arranging passport documents for beneficiaries in a relatively short period of time.

FORMS OF SUPPORT:

  • material assistance: 15 persons

  • financial assistance 131 persons

  • reconnection support 131 persons

  • social care/psychological/health assistance 453 persons

  • other: 12 persons

RECONNECTIONS

2021

From January until December of 2021 there were

131 people reconnected:

56 men

43 children

32 women

NATIONALITY

Country of origin

Number of reconnections

Romania

92 (70%)

Poland

13 (10%)

Lithuania

11 (8%)

Hungary

7 (5,5%)

Latvia

6 (4,5%)

Czech Republic

1 (1%)

Netherlands

1 (1%)

Total

131

1 Q 2021

From January until March of 2021 there were

56 people reconnected:

21 men

13 women

22 children

NATIONALITY

Country of origin

Number of reconnections

Romania

51

Lithuania

2

Poland

2

Netherlands

1

Total

56

2 Q 2021

From April until June of 2021 there were

18 people reconnected:

11 men

5 women

2 children

NATIONALITY

Country of origin

Number of reconnections

Romania

7

Poland

7

Latvia

3

Hungary

1

Total

18

3 Q 2021

From July until September of 2021 there were

33 people reconnected:

8 men

8 women

17 children

NATIONALITY

Country of origin

Number of reconnections

Romania

25

Poland

4

Lithuania

2

Latvia

1

Hungary

1

Total

33

4 Q 2022

From October until December of 2021 there were

24 people reconnected:

16 men

6 women

2 children

NATIONALITY

Country of origin

Number of reconnections

Romania

9

Poland

7

Hungary

5

Latvia

2

Czech Republic

1

Total

24

2. RECONNECTION DESTINATION

2021

Reconnection destination

Number of reconnections

Family/friends in the country of origin

131

To BARKA/other organizations in other CEE country

2

1 Q 2021

Reconnection denstination

Number of reconnections

Family/friends in the country of origin

56

To BARKA/other organizations in other CEE country

0

2 Q 2021

Reconnection destination

Number of reconnections

Family/friends in the country of origin

16

To BARKA/other organizations in other CEE country

2

3 Q 2021

Reconnection destination

Number of reconnections

Family/friends in the country of origin

33

To BARKA/other organizations in other CEE country

0

4 Q 2021

Reconnection destination

Number of reconnections

Family/friends in the country of origin

24

To BARKA/other organizations in other CEE country

0

The largest effect of the pandemic was an increase in the number of individuals who have been seeking repatriation through BARKA. It has risen twice due to an ever-increasing number of homeless and particularly Romanian families who have come in contact with Barka.

Barka supported the reconnection of 131 people. In the same period of 2020, we repatriated 65 persons.

A significant percentage of our beneficiaries were seeking our support shortly after arrival – 4-6 weeks. Those people were unable to settle down in Ireland and were seeking repatriation 21 of them were families.

TYPE OF CONTACTS

From January to December of 2021 we have had 1,696 contacts with 527 individuals. We have had regular contact with many people who we’ve met in previous years, and we have also had 453 newcomers.

During the year 2021, we have been contacted by many newcomers in the toughest situations. With prolonged waiting time for a PPS number, many people were unable to find a job and as a result not being able to pay their rent. We were in contact with clients using HSE “quarantined” services.

Most of our clients live in hostels, but at the same time, more and more migrants come to Ireland. Those are not interested in reconnections and we link them with social and homeless services in Dublin.

We also meet many people cheated by employers and friends. We receive many phone calls and emails from outside Dublin – mostly from Cork and Galway.

With services such as churches and coffee shops closed or only partially opened they have nowhere to go to have a shower, have a cup of tea, or charge their phone and get out of the rain and cold. In the terms of preventing homelessness, it was crucial to offer reconnection.

In the same situations were people with a long background of homelessness who have had no access to emergency accommodation or prefer to not use it.

Hospitals and prisons social workers were in contact with our team to assist clients in their care.

BARKA’S team was also in contact with a group of homeless people who do not use services such as day support centers.

BARKA’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 RELATED ISSUES AMONG HOMELESS AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE

The Coronavirus pandemic has posed a significant challenge for BARKA’S services and people experiencing homelessness in Dublin. According to research, people who are experiencing homelessness were more vulnerable to infectious diseases causing them to have difficulties adhering to public health directives and the high prevalence among them of long-term health conditions. In Ireland, the homeless community has been the most affected population group during the COVID-19 pandemic with 65% of homeless service providers stating that the homeless community’s health and wellbeing have been highly impacted.

The BARKA team has faced facing new challenges. For example, we’ve had situations where hostel staff refused to rent rooms to our clients. Travel restrictions such as negative test results are required by airlines and border services have added new tasks to our everyday work. Thank the project supported by the Polish Embassy in Dublin we were able to provide our 13 Polish clients with accommodation immediately before the journey.

Our clients’ needs are more complex with the likes of large families, young children, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, people with mental issues, etc. Many persons required special assistance at the airport.

We also supported 5 clients with applying for passports.

BARKA’s key activities in preventing the spread and effects of COVID-19:

Distribution of face masks and hand sanitizers

Organising Covid testing: 83 people

Organising appropriate places for quarantine for those returning to their home country: 12 people

Linking clients to homeless services, housing, medical, mental health, syringe services, and substance use treatment. Reaching out to these clients regularly to ensure they are being linked to care as necessary.

Information and advice. Providing information about COVID-19 and other practical information to non-English speakers and those with low literacy or intellectual disabilities.

Ensuring communication with clients about changes in homeless service policies and/or changes in necessities such as food, water, hygiene facilities, shelters, regular healthcare, and behavioral health resources.

Reducing social isolation. We were communicating via phone, email, and personal contact with our clients, offering a comforting chat and advice.

Supporting vulnerable and complex people‘s needs, especially in the midst of a fast-changing and unpredictable crisis requires BARKA’s holistic, creative, and compassionate support more than ever.

CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS

1. NATIONALITY OF PEOPLE WE’VE MET IN 2021

NATIONALITY

total:

527

Poland

259

49.00%

Romania

229

43,5%

Lithuania

18

3,5%

Latvia

11

2,5%

Hungary

8

1,5%

Netherlands

1

0.25%

Belgium

1

0.25%

Czech Republic

1

0.25%

France

1

0.25%

Most of the people we’ve dealt with in the year 2021 were Polish and Romanian citizens. Almost every day we‘ve received referrals or have been contacted directly by newcomers. We observed another wave of the influx of Romanian migrants, usually large families with young children in the toughest situations, who came to Ireland completely unprepared: with no money, no place to stay, and no secured job. Many of those families seek reconnection and tickets to fly back home in 4-6 weeks after arriving in Ireland.

Most of them were provided by emergency accommodation and food. They contact Barka via hostels’ key workers, HSE officers, and other homeless persons. We are always trying to meet those families and their key workers a few times before making the decision of reconnection, to make sure they really need our support. We also ask if a family has somewhere to go in the home country. If needed we link them with the local social and family support services.

Our contact with beneficiaries is rather informal, mostly focused on building trust. Initially, we would know people by their first name, then with time the person would open up and we would learn more about their personal and professional situation.

The Barka team speaks Polish and Russian (common second languages) and it facilitates communication with beneficiaries of most foreign nationalities in Ireland. A large number of our clients seek our assistance with contacting social welfare, health care, bank, tax office, courts, etc.

Communicating in their native language also lets the beneficiaries become more open, more trusting, and more ready to share private information.

We’ve worked hard to provide information, advice, comforting conversations, and also motivation for reconnection.

At the end of September Barka’s social assistant took part in 10 days of training in Poland.

2. SITUATION OF HOMELESS/VULNERABLE PEOPLE

ACCOMMODATION

total:

527

Hostels/family hubs

245

46,5%

Private rented accommodation /HAP/ social housing

127

24,5%

Rough/tent/friends couch

89

16,5%

HSE Isolation centre

50

9,5%

Prison/Hospital

16

3.00%

In the year 2021, the majority – 46,5% – of our clients were accommodated in hostels or family hubs. A further 24,5% were renting and 16,5% slept on the streets, in parks, in car parks, under a tent in the city centre etc.

We observed that during the pandemic crisis every homeless person was offered a place in some form of a shelter.

9,5% of clients have been referred to BARKA by HSE: SafetyNet isolation centre.

Since the lock-down started we have been contacted by 4 new groups of vulnerable people:

Those who lost their jobs and accommodation after their employers were forced to close their business

People who came to Ireland to look for a job but fell into a bureaucratic trap. Their lack of knowledge of the Irish system as well as the English language with the combination of offices and many other places closed from the public result in problems with obtaining PPS numbers, finding jobs, registering as homeless people and finding suitable accommodation.

– People who came to Ireland to work but was cheated by employers or job agencies

Clients with mental issues which condition worsens because of pandemics and those who left their countries because of a fear of COVID-19.

Our clients from the group above all suffered from either stress or anxiety. Most of them had to stay in inappropriate and insecure accommodations: either on a friend’s couch, in overcrowded apartments, or outside. Some of them have no one to speak to – with a minimal grasp of the English language, friends, or any familiar face.

Closure or limiting recovery services and day centres led to a lack of human contact. Our clients miss socializing with friends, having a chat over a hot meal or a cup of tea. Friends groups have been separated and accommodated in different hostels. It definitely has an impact on their mental health. In situations such as these, the presence of the BARKA team was crucial. Our work is based on creating bonds with our clients, building trust and confidentiality. During our street patrols, we offer chats, advice and comfort.

People experiencing homelessness often find it difficult to adhere to public health directives such as physical distancing, isolation and quarantine because of their addictions and social maladjustment.

3. GENDER

The majority of people we are in contact with are males.

GENDER

total:

154

Males

386

73.00%

Females

141

27.00%

4. GROUPS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS

The first group of homeless people we have been contacted mostly were between 35 and 55 years of age. It has been a shift from previous years when the dominating group was younger people – up to age 35.

AGE

total:

527

Over 35

278

53.00%

Up to 35

182

34,5%

Over 55

67

12,5%

During the pandemic, we have observed an increased number of Eastern European citizens who have found themselves in extremely difficult situations because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions.

This refers mostly to the people who have just come to Ireland. Some of them were hoping for a job, and some had their positions arranged before their arrival. Unfortunately, after the 13th of March 2020, their plans were crushed and left without any support. From our contact with these people, we understand that some had planned to stay in Ireland but the majority were desperate to go back home and we were able to help all of them with reconnections.

Some beneficiaries were still unfamiliar with their rights and entitlements or social support/social welfare systems due to language difficulties and this, combined with their other life events contribute to their homelessness.

COOPERATION WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS

We maintained facilitated cooperation with other organisations and institutions involved in the problemacy of homelessness. Regular meetings with social assistants or officials are important for the holistic view of somebody’s situation and give the possibility to share ideas or experiences.

Organization/institution

Frequency of contact

Type of cooperation

Dublin Simon Community

2-3x a month

Exchanging information, referrals

St Vincent de Paul

2x a month

Facilitate the communication with persons

Hospitals/Prisons

2x a month

Facilitate the communication with clients, cooperation with social assistants, reconnections

Merchants Quay Ireland

2x a week

Exchanging information, Good place to make contact with people, to have a peaceful talk; very good equipped to cover basic needs – shower, clothes, doctor; MQI refers to us clients seeking support with reconnection

Focus Ireland

2-3x a month

Exchanging information, referrals

HSE SafetyNet and other organisations isolation centres

2-4x a month

Reconnections referrals, facilitate the communication with persons, referrals to quarantines

Little Flower Dinners

1x a week

Lunchtime patrols

Cairde

1-3x a week

Reconnections, quarantines, testing referrals, translations service

CKU – Centre for Counseling and Therapy

1x a month

Referring Polish clients experiencing addictions

Capuchin Day Centre

2-3 times a week

Exchanging information, Good place to make contact with people, to have a peaceful talk; very good equipped to cover basic needs – hot food, clothes, doctor; CDC refers to us clients seeking support with reconnection

Garda/Airport Police

1x week

referring clients seeking support with reconnection

Treshhold

1x month

Referring clients in private rented accommodation at risk of homelessness, eviction

BARKA CLIENTS OPINIONS

Joanna: “I would like to thank Dublin Barka for all their help. The Barka team are great people. Once again I would like to thank them for all their support”.

Elzbieta and Pawel: “We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Barka Foundation for their hard work. Without your support, it would be impossible to bring our dad back home. Thank you very much for your compassion and huge commitment.
Thank you very much. We can recommend your service to everyone who found themselves in a similar critical situation.”

PUBLICATIONS ABOUT BARKA

INFO DESK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvxtfmxUsF4

THE IRISH TIMES: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/covid-quarantine-centre-many-are-completely-destitute-they-have-nothing-1.4405527

THE IRISH TIMES: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/there-was-no-key-to-the-room-so-i-couldn-t-lock-the-door-and-people-were-on-drugs-1.4035462

IRISH EXAMINER: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40054817.html

W IRLANDII: https://wirlandii.pl/2019/10/przyjechali-do-irlandii-w-poszukiwaniu-lepszej-przyszlosci/

PEPE TV: https://www.pepe-tv.eu/polacy-pomagaja-bezdomnym-w-dublinie/

TVP POLONIA https://polonia.tvp.pl/48045493/polacy-pomagaja-bezdomnym-w-dublinie

LONDYNEK.NET: https://londynek.net/czytelnia/article?jdnews_id=4558269

 

Reconnections of vulnerable citizens of EU – Summary for the year 2021

From the 1st of January till the 31 of December 2021, 131 persons were reconnected via BARKA For Mutual Help IE to their home countries:

56 men

43 children

32 women

.

Most of the people we supported with reconnection in 2021 were Romanian citizens (70%), Polish (13%), and Lithuanians (8%).

The nationality breakdown of reconnected individuals:

NATIONALITY

Country of origin

Number of reconnections

Romania

92 (70%)

Poland

13 (10%)

Lithuania

11 (8%)

Hungary

7 (5,5%)

Latvia

6 (4,5%)

Czech Republic

1 (1%)

Netherlands

1 (1%)

Total

131

Barka IE na szkoleniu “Senat Polonii Europy”

 

Przedstawicielka Barki IE wzięła udział w szkoleniu “Senat Polonii Europy”, w Warszawie. Jest to projekt skierowany do działaczy polonijnych. Łącznie uczestniczyło w nim 25 aktywistów z 7 krajów: Irlandii, Litwy, Łotwy, Grecji, Finlandii, Malty i Armenii.

Uczestnicy Seantu Polonii Europy z certyfikatami ukończenia szkolenia. Fot. Marzena Mavridis

Projekt rozpoczął się 21.09, uroczystą inauguracją w Muzeum Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego,

„Senat Polonii Europy” to 10-dniowy interdyscyplinarny projekt edukacyjno–integracyjny, którego organizatorem była fundacja “Hagia Marina”.

Uczestnicy między innymi wzięli udział w profesjonalnych szkoleniach z pisania projektów (Erasmus) oraz pozyskiwania funduszy, a także z obsługi mediów społecznościowych oraz odbyli serię wizyt studyjnych: seminariów i spotkań z lokalnymi działaczami oraz przedstawicielami NGO-sów. W programie nie zabrakło także licznych spotkań z osobami tworzącymi polską politykę zagraniczną i polonijną – m. in wiceministrem spraw zagranicznych, z przedstawicielem Ministerstwa Kultury, Dziedzictwa Narodowego i Sportu (przedstawienie Programu Ministra i możliwości pozyskiwania środków z ministerstwa) oraz panelu dyskusyjnego z dziennikarzami.

Wśród zaproszonych prelegentów i panelistów byli między innymi: geopolityk dr Leszek Sykulski, ambasador Tomasz Orłowski, dyrektor „Teraz Polska” Michał Lipiński, wicemarszałek Województwa Podlaskiego. A ponadto posłowie, senatorowie, ministrowie, samorządowcy, prezesi instytucji centralnych oraz liderzy z Polski działający na rzecz promocji Polski za granicą.

Aneta Kubas prezentuje w KPRM działalność Fundacji Pomocy Wzajemnej Barka

Poza tym uczestnicy odbyli wizyty studyjne w Drohiczynie i Białymstoku, gdzie poznali historię, zrealizowane projekty, a także plany rozwoju regionu.

W programie nie zabrakło zwiedzania lokalnych atrakcji: Muzeum Motocykli i Muzeum Kajaków oraz wizyty na Górze Zamkowej i podziwiania panoramy Bugu.

Podsumowanie projektu zostało zaprezentowane w Kancelarii Prezesa Rady Ministrów w Warszawie.

Representant of Barka IE took part in a training “European Polish Diaspora Senate” (21.09-01.10). An official inauguration took place at the University of Warsaw.

25 participants from 7 countries: Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Greece, Malta, Finland and Armenia visited Polish government buildings and met representatives, professionals and panellists, from journalists to ambassadors, ministers and deputies.

Participants also took a study visit in Bialystok and Drohiczyn.

Christmas wishes from BARKA’S community

2020 will be a year seared into all our memories, just like this Christmas. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought so many changes and challenges into our lives.

We would like to thank all our partners and stakeholders for their commitment and dedication during these uncertain times.

We wish that all of BARKA FOUNDATION IE partners, beneficiaries and friends will have a very healthy and happy Christmas and an even better 2021!