Poland PA
As part of the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project CACAT – Culture and Creative Arts as Tools in Non-Formal Education for Inclusion, the Polish team conducted impactful national research focused on discrimination and inclusion in Poland. Their findings shed light on pressing social issues such as racism, anti-Roma sentiment, gender inequality, and challenges faced by migrants and LGBTQ+ communities. Drawing from real-life data and cases, the research also highlights how Polish youth and artists actively use creativity, performance, and civic engagement to challenge exclusion and promote human rights. This research not only informs the project's creative activities but also reinforces the role of youth as agents of positive social change.
1. Real-life cases and data
- Racism and hate speech
The #DontCallMeMurzyn campaign raised awareness about anti-Black racism in Poland. Black women have reported verbal and physical assaults—also involving their children—and many said they avoid reporting such cases to the police due to lack of trust. - - Migrants and ethnic minorities
Roma people and migrants (from former USSR republics or Asia) often experience wage discrimination, poor working conditions, and systemic exclusion. FRA studies showed over 60% of Roma reported discrimination while job-seeking in the past 5 years. - Gender equality
Poland ranks below the EU average in gender equality. Employment rates differ significantly: 61.5% for women vs 75% for men. Women also face sexual violence and underrepresentation in leadership positions (2022).
2. Art and youth initiatives addressing these issues
- The Art of Openness – a project by Karolina (supported by Humanity in Action) offering art workshops to address discrimination in artistic education and promote inclusive environments for youth. https://humanityinaction.org/action_project/the-art-of-openness
- Inclusive Youth: Art for Impact – a Visegrad Fund initiative engaging youth (aged 18–30) from Poland and other V4 countries in arts-based actions against discrimination, campaign design, and activism toolkits.
- Brave Festival (Wrocław) – a yearly festival celebrating cultural diversity. Its Brave Kids program brings together children from Poland and the Global South, promoting intercultural dialogue.
- Summer in Theatre (Kalisz) – a theatre education program run by the Jeden Świat association that offers workshops for youth from smaller towns and fosters inclusive civic engagement.
- EU Youth Dialogue – Lublin 2025 – youth arts residencies focused on diversity (ethnic, sexual, health-related). In one survey, 38% of participants reported experiencing discrimination in their lives.
3. Good practices and local heroes
- "Never Again" Association (Stowarzyszenie Nigdy Więcej) – an independent anti-racist NGO active since 1996, known for youth education and monitoring hate speech. Led by Rafał Pankowski.
- Lambda Warszawa & "For a Change" Fund – the first Polish LGBT+ support NGO (est. 1997), offering legal and psychological help, cultural events, and microgrants for grassroots projects (especially in small towns).
- POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews – a leading institution educating on anti-Semitism and Jewish history, involving youth in intercultural dialogue and empathy-based learning.
- QueerMuzeum (Warsaw) – Poland's first queer museum, opened in 2024 through community fundraising and city support. It preserves and presents LGBT+ stories and heritage.
- Equality Parade (Warsaw) – Central and Eastern Europe's largest pride march, gathering over 80,000 participants in 2023. It promotes equal rights for all marginalized groups.
- Rozbrat (Poznań) – an autonomous social center founded in 1994, offering anti-discrimination workshops, public lectures, and grassroots community support.