Peer Learning across Europe: Newcomers’ Participation in Civic and Political Life

Overview

Peer Learning across Europe: Newcomers’ Participation in Civic and Political Life

Participants

Contacts

Day 1 - Welcoming Exchange and Laying the Groundwork

Resources &Downloads

SOLIDAR & SOLIDAR Foundation Study Visit to Warsaw, 9-11 April 2025

Day 2 - Exploring good practices & Policy Dialogues

Day 3 - Building Resilience & Shaping Future Policies

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Overview of the Study Visit to Warsaw

Empowering Newcomers for Civic and Political Participation

The Study Visit to Warsaw gathered civil society leaders and experts to share innovative approaches for enhancing the civic and political participation of newcomers. Through discussions and workshops, participants explored integration policies, addressed key challenges, and identified practical solutions to foster more inclusive societies.

Key Themes:

• Integration Policies
• Mental Resilience
• Humanitarian Responses
• Political Inclusion

Link to our News Piece on the visit

Building Resilience & Shaping Future Policies

📅 Day 3 – 11 April 2025

Key Moments:

• Mental Resilience Workshop – Tools and strategies for supporting frontline organizations.
• Flying Academy: Exploring humanitarian responses and the legal challenges faced by LGBTQIIA+ refugees in Poland.
• Session IV: Fostering Newcomer Participation in Civic and Political Life (Panel Discussion).
• Session V: National Integration Policies – Priorities, Challenges, and Lessons Learned.
• Closing Reflections & Conclusions, summarizing the key outcomes and future collaboration opportunities.

The final day of the Study Visit focused on strengthening organizational resilience and discussing strategic pathways for more inclusive integration policies. The day began with a dedicated workshop on mental resilience in support organizations, addressing burnout prevention and emotional well-being for those working closely with migrants and refugees.In the afternoon, participants attended high-level policy discussions exploring how to foster the meaningful participation of newcomers in civic and political life, followed by a panel on national integration policies, highlighting key challenges and successful approaches across Europe.

📅 Day 1 – 9 April 2025

Setting the Scene: Welcoming Exchange and Laying the Groundwork

The Study Visit began with an engaging day centred on peer exchange and collaboration, as members gathered for the Social Affairs and Lifelong Learning Fora. This introductory session provided participants with an overview of the visit’s objectives, highlighting the importance of peer learning and collaboration in fostering newcomer participation in civic and political life.

Key Moments:

• Welcome Session led by SOLIDAR & SOLIDAR Foundation teams.
• Members Fora on Social Affairs and Lifelong Learning, sharing innovative initiatives and ongoing projects.
• Networking Dinner at Między Nami Café, offering informal space for connection and exchange.

Exploring good practices & Policy Dialogues

📅 Day 2 – 10 April 2025

The second day of the Study Visit was dedicated to hands-on learning and policy discussions. Participants started with a visit to the School with Class Foundation, exploring intercultural learning initiatives and their role in fostering inclusive societies.In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the VI Forum for Cooperation and Integration, where experts, civil society representatives, and policymakers discussed Poland’s humanitarian response, reflected on the ongoing crisis, and worked together in a strategic workshop to map future priorities.Key Moments:

• Visit to School with Class Foundation – Intercultural learning experiences across Europe.
• Session I: Poland’s Experience with the Humanitarian Response (Panel Discussion).

• Session II: The Crisis and What’s Next? – Strategy Workshop on future policy approaches.

• Evening Networking & Failure Show, encouraging open dialogue on challenges faced in integration work.

Language: Polish Prezentacja VI Forum, covering the full event agenda, key speakers, and thematic discussions.

VI Forum for Cooperation and Integration – Presentation

Language: Polish Presentation exploring crisis phases, resilience strategies, and organizational lessons learned.

Forum 10 April 2025 – Reflections on the Crisis

Language: Polish Workshop material focused on building psychological resilience in migration support organizations.

Migration Consortium – Mental Resilience Workshop

Language: English Comprehensive report on educational initiatives supporting integration and social inclusion.

School with Class Foundation – 2025 Activities Overview

Language: EnglishA powerful visual and narrative exploration of migration stories, social invisibility, and identity across Europe.

Invisible Stories of Migration – Maps & Narratives

Elisa Gambardella

elisa.gambardella@solidar.org

Carlos Roldán Mejías

carlos.roldan@solidar.org