Gdynia–Krosno Partnership Boosts Intercultural Integration Through Liveability Project

Both cities have recently experienced increased migration, particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With many newcomers settling in local neighbourhoods and enrolling their children in schools, municipal officials faced an urgent need to build long-term integration strategies and create welcoming community spaces.

Gdynia and Krosno, which have a history of cooperation in social innovation and revitalization, focused their twinning project on developing community centres as hubs for intercultural dialogue. Activities included study visits, joint workshops, online peer learning, and hands-on participation in Gdynia’s local pilot initiatives. Training sessions conducted with the Homo Faber Association and representatives of Ukrainian and Belarusian communities played a key role in strengthening staff competencies.

A major milestone was a joint study visit to Lublin, where participants explored the work of “Baobab,” a renowned community centre supporting migrants and advocating for human rights. Additional knowledge exchange took place during Liveability network meetings in Guldborgsund and Riga.

As a result of the twinning initiative, Krosno officials reported growth in intercultural awareness and a deeper understanding of conditions that contribute to improvement of quality of life for all residents. Inspired by project outcomes, Krosno plans to develop the Social Activity Center, financed through Swiss funds, designed to foster dialogue, inclusion, and civic engagement.

“In recent years, Krosno has faced new social challenges resulting from an influx of migration. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a large Ukrainian community has settled in the city. Initially, they relied on emergency assistance, and over time they began to build lasting relationships with local residents. New neighborhood communities began to form, but long-term integration and building stable relationships between the two populations remained a significant challenge. Children and young people, who needed to find their place in new peer and school environments, required particular support and those can be supported by the common experiences of Krosno and Gdynia. The intercultural guide will be essential in understanding the different cultures by all the officers / workers / administration officers in Krosno. The city provided support both in the first days of the crisis and later on—for example, by allocating part of its municipal housing stock.“, says Michal Żelechowski, Head of Krosno’s Social Innovation Office.

Gdynia also provided its partner city with Polish-language resources developed within the Liveability project, including a PID Practice Guide and an Intercultural Competence Guide, offering tools for implementing inclusive policies and community-centered development.

“Based on the principles of public interest design and Liveability Design Approach, we developed a tool to support the everyday work, especially in community centers, with people from different backgrounds. The “Diversity as a Resource: The Intercultural Competence Guide” is a practical tool for fostering understanding among groups, improving cultural awareness, and designing services that address the diverse needs of residents. Gdynia’s publication accompanied the Charter for Designing Liveable Cities translated into Polish is dedicated to people who work in the public and socio-cultural sectors and interact with individuals from different cultural backgrounds daily. It may also be useful for anyone who wants to better understand the world around them, expand their skillset, and learn about the LDA context and the principles of developing a liveable city. The guides on Public Interest Design Practice and Intercultural Competence complement each other and are ideal for those who want to work more closely with residents. They emphasize openness, transparency, and flexibility to better respond to residents’ needs in an ever-changing world”, says Magdalena Żółkiewicz, Gdynia’s LBY Coordinator and Change Pilot.

The collaboration has not only strengthened local capacities but also expanded the project’s international reach, with Krosno presenting the liveability concept to partner cities from across Europe and hosting public events aimed at promoting inclusive urban development.

Programme Manual Online

Choose