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EQUAL - Ekonomia Społeczna w Praktyce

GAZETA ULICZNA

Introductions

How can social economy contribute to local development?
The little community that could  - Barka Foundation

Barka Foundation for Mutual Help was established as a response to increasing social problems during  transformation years. Barbara and Tomasz Sadowski wanted to create conditions in which the “forgotten and unwanted” could have a chance for personal growth and social development.

This mission influenced the creation of an alternative system of support, which gathers people from the weakest groups, giving them possibilities to rebuild their lives, upgrade vocational skills and find their way in the new socioeconomic reality. In 1989, these two psychologists set up the first Barka community, using the derelict school building in Wladyslawowo (in the West of Poznan). This first community gave a home for 25 “life wrecked”” individuals, who were living together with the Sadowski’s family. Wladyslawowo became the spring-board for the continuing mutual-help movement, engaging not only the people in need but also informal groups and non-governmental organizations in Poland and abroad. 

Barka's Mission

Barka Foundation is a non-governmental organization. Its mission is to offer support for social development of

excluded groups, build conditions to enable them to rebuild their lives by creating a system of mutual help, education and entrepreneurship, in line with a citizens’ society. 

The objective is to create a system of support for the process of integration of excluded groups. This system includes about 5000 persons annually (gathering persons in life crises, informal groups of citizens,non-governmental organizations, representatives of the government at national and local levels).

The main task is to create a program for the development of this system in Poland,in other countries in transformation and in developing countries.

The development of the program consists on creation of Schools of Social Animation (SAS – Szkoly Animacji Socjalnej), based on experiences and knowledge of people who overcame extreme poverty and serious life difficulties, and today are able to transfer the knowledge on the mechanisms of creation and development of programs of fight against social exclusion to groups from diverse regions of Poland and Europe, in a professional way. SAS educates in the self-help system future animators of centers and programs. The new Law on Social Employment and the project of Law on Social Cooperatives enable to give legal and financial support for the development of these programs in Poland.

Barka UK organized a Dignity Day in the House of Lords, in London on October 20. Social enterprise "Dignify" and Salvation Army were co-organizers of the event. Over 40 people participated in this meeting: 20 students from the schools of London as well as the representatives of the UK goverment and the House of Lords.

                             
                                  Reuters (20.10.09):::

Barka's study visit to Hamburg
During 21-24 June 2009 a delegation from the Barka Network (Tomasz Sadowski, Krystyna Dorsz and Anna Cakala) and Barka UK (Stanislaw Szczerba and Ewa Sadowska) conducted a study visit to Hamburg for the invitation of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.
The delegation met with the Head of Social Policy Department at the Hamburg City Hall - Mrs Verena Orth and visited a number of instituions and NGOs working with groups and individuals in extreme social situations (including Polish migrants). The visit triggered an important dialogue for building social integration programs to the benefit of Polish migrants in Germany.
Delegation was assisted by Consul Łukasz Koterba and Ms Karolina Kowalska from the Polish Consulate General.
The meetings in Hamburg and the future projects of Barka in Germany will be implemented within the European Migrants Integration Network (EuroMI).
In the picture below - Barka delegation with Polish Consul General to Hamburg Mr. Andrzej Osiak.
                                            

UK Government Delegation visits Barka Network
During 4-6 June 2009 UK Government Delegation visited Barka Network. The purpose of the visit was to better understand the causes of such large migration of Poles to the British Isles. The delegation took part in a number of official meetings with representatives of the Wielkopolska Regional Government Office and the Poznan City Hall. The guests met with individuals who, with Barka's support, returned from England, and those who are planning on their migration experience to the UK.
The delegation arrived in Poznan on a symbolic date of the 4th of June which is Poland's 20th anniversary of democracy.
Guests were assisted by Chief Executive of Barka UK ( company limited by guarantee).
Delegation's composition:
Richard Blakeway – Director of Housing for the Mayor’s Office in London
Michelle Binfield – Specialist Adviser on Rough Sleeping at Department of Communities and Local Government
Rebecca Pritchard – Specialist Adviser on Rough Sleeping at Department of Communities and Local Government
Jeremy Swain – Chief Executive of Thames Reach
Jenny Edwards – Chief Executive of Homeless Link
Claire Vaughan – Member of rough sleeping delivery team at Department of Communities and Local Government
                            letter from Mr. Swain (part I):::
                            letter from Mr. Swain (part II):::
                                  raport from the visit:::

European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) is organizing a two-day event closing the European “One-stop mobility shops” project.
First part will be the Evening Debate “Free movement of persons in the recession period” (11 May 2009, Brussels). The Conference “Who is responsible for the vulnerable intra-EU migrants and how does the current economic crisis affect them?” will take place on May 12, 2009.
Please find an invitation below.
                                      invitation:::

The Forum of the Polish Cooperation Network
The Forum of the Polish Cooperation Network took place during 21-22 February 2009 in Nottingham. Andrzej Sydoruk and Ewa Sadowska represented Barka UK at the Forum. Over 100 leaders of Polish organizations from England, Scotland and Ireland participated in the event. Consuls of the Republic of Poland from London and Manchester were present as well as representatives of former migrations of Poles in Nottingham : Polish Social Club and the Association of Polish Aviators.
Ewa Sadowska presented Barka UK's projects and Andrzej Sydoruk talked about his path to abstinence and the work with migrants in London.
Barka UK became a member of the Polish Cooperation Network whose aim is to improve the quality of life of Polish migrants in the United Kingdom.

Study visit of NGOs from London in Barka's Network - January 5-8, 2008

Representatives of Broadway and Thames Reach - organizations working with the homeless in London visited Barka's Network. Broadway was represented by Mr. Ian Faulkner – Chairman of the Board and Mr. Howard Sinclair – Chief Executive. Mrs. Petra Salva and Mrs. Kath Dane – Projects' Managers represented Thames Reach.

The program included meetings with the local partnership in Lwowek and a meeting with the village-mayor of the Kwilcz commune - Mrs. Maria Wegrzyn. The guests visited associations and social cooperatives within Barka Network in Chudopczyce, Wladyslawowo and Poznan. An important aspect of the study visit was the meeting with groups of migrants, who came back from London and are currently receiving support from Barka Network including rehabilitation, education and employment. In attachment program of the visit.
                                  program of the visit:::
                                         zdjęcie 1:::
                                         zdjęcie 2:::
                                         zdjęcie 3:::
                                                zdjęcie 4:::

A conference entitled "London's response to the New Migration", organised by Barka UK and partners, European Citizen Action Service and London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham took place on 23 January 2009.

The "London's response to the New Migration" conference was organised within a framework of the European project "One-stop mobility shops". Also within that project Barka Foundation for Mutual Help in Poland and European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) are organising a conference in Warsaw. It will take place on 16 February 2009. We believe the event will be a successful continuation of the conference in London.
                                       programme:::
                                       information:::
                                       biographies:::
                                  Lord Robert's report:::
                                         John's Downie report:::
                                       Alastair's Murray report:::

Conference about migration in Europe!
On January 23^rd, 2009 European Citizen Action Service (ECAS), Barka UK and Hammersmith and Fulham Borough partnership will organize a conference "London Response to the New Migration" within European Project “One-Stop Mobility Shop”.

We invite you to participate in this event! If you are interested in participation please send your letter of application to Ms. Joanna Trautsolt on barka.uk@googlemail.com with postscript “registration” in subject.
                                       invitation:::
                                             programme:::
                                          registration form:::

Raport from study visit in London.
In attachment we give you raport of Katarzyna Bielerzewska form study visit in Barka UK.

                                        raport:::

Meeting of Young Global Leaders
On September 28th, 2008 Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2008 organized by The Word Economic Forum finished. The summit that lasted 4 days took place in Tianjin (China) and was combined with the meeting of Young Global Leaders. During the summit the challenges that China as a economic and political force must face were discussed. The Prime Minister of China, Wen Jiabao, who talked about the role of democracy in socialistic country, took active participation in this meeting. The Young Global Leaders shared their experiences in being a leader and managing the groups of people.
Next year the summit will take place in South Africa.

The ombudsman welcomes to the conference!

The ombudsmadn Dr Janusz Kochanowski invites Tomasz Sadowski for a press conference on September 17th, where the raport of Prof. Hall about the situation of the labour migrants from Poland and A8 countries will be presented.

Lord Roberts is coming to Poland!

On September 30th we will host Lord Roberts from London along with a accompanying group, who would like to get to know the activities of Barka in Poland. On October 3rd Lord Roberts will go to Warsaw for a meeting with the represetnatives of the Chancellery of the Polish Senate.
                          program of the study visit:::

Television "ARTE" will visit "Barka"
On September 15th-16th German TV „Arte” will visit the Barka’s Network to prepare for shooting the program about Barkas’ actions in Poland and abroad. Our guests will visit the organizations associated with the Network and will get to know the educational and employment programs.

The conference „Job for all”
On September 8th-9th the conference under the title “Job for all” took place in the Regional Job Office in Poznan. In the meeting the representatives from local governments and non-governmental organizations form Milan (Italy), Lyon (France), Brussels (Belgium) and Poznan (Poland) participated. The representatives showed good practice in a field of legislation and local politics in favor of employment as well as examples of the real solutions in this matter.
Similar meetings already took place in Brussels and Lyon and at the end of October 2008 the same meeting will take place in Milan.
The program is realized from the funds of European Committee (“PROGRESS”).

ON 6TH SEPTEMBER FORMER FIRST LADY, MS. JOLANTA KWASNIEWSKA, VISITED BARKA UK.
Ms. Jolanta Kwasniewska visited Barka UK at Hackney, in London. The visit was connected with organizing the Polish concert "London Live Festival". On the occasion of that Ms. Kwasniewska’s Foundation "Agreement with no barriers” and Barka UK created a leaflet about the rights of the Poles in Great Britain, which will be distributed through the Polish press in England.
The meeting had very congenial and informal character. First Lady was interested in Barka’s work on the streets of London and in day centers as well as in the difficult process of building the confidence and the bond with the citizens of Poland in the most difficult social situations. Ms. Jolanta emphasized her sympathy to Barka in Poland. She mentioned how often she met the Barkas’ representatives at the most important events all over the world.
The leaders of the self help groups from Barka’s Network in Poland and the members of the Barka UK board also participated in the meeting. There was a press conference afterwards.
Below we attach few pictures from the visit.

                                        1 photo:::
                                               2 photo:::
                                               3 photo:::

MEETING WITH THE CONSUL IN DENMARK
On 5th September there was a meeting with Mr. Piotr Swietach – the Head of the Consular Department - and Mr. Jarosław Mikus – the Secretary of the Consular Department - in the Polish Embassy in Copenhagen.  In the meeting the representatives of the Kofoed’s School and the Barka’s Foundation – Ewa Sadowska, Dagmara Walczyk and Zbigniew Sciana took part. Mr. Ole Melgaard introduced the ideas of the program and the cooperation. He emphasized that the aim is not only to help the Poles, but also to make up a study about the homeless Poles in Copenhagen. The consul expressed his support for his initiative and promised the help in giving the temporary passports for the Poles who will be coming back with Barka.

                                      1 photo:::
                                                   2 photo:::

A NEW BARKA’S PROJECT HAS STARTED IN DENMARK
Three Barkas’ representatives are in Copenhagen at the moment (Ewa Sadowska, Dagmara Walczyk and Zbigniew Sciana). With the beginning of September a new EUROMI project has begun there.  
It is being realized In partnership with the Kofoed’s School – an organization, which nearly for 20 years has been cooperating with the Barka Foundation. After the Senate’s decision about not funding the project which is supporting the Polish migrants in Western Europe countries, the Kofoed’s School decided to finance the Barka’s mission in Denmark.
Within the program the Poles can count on help in coming back to Barkas’ places in Poland and also on the support In the field of receiving an information and counseling.
Below we attach pictures from the visit.
 

                                       1 photo:::
                                       2 photo:::
                                                    3 photo:::

Interview with Ewa Sadowska
Read an interview with Ewa Sadowska, Director of Barka UK, about support organized by Barka UK for Polish labour migrants in UK.
                                   interview:::

Barka starts work in next London boroughs?
On Friday the 11th of July Barka has been asked to start a support pilot project for migrants from Central and Eastern Europe in the next borough of London (Brent). Representatives of the Brent local government and police will visit Barka Network in Poland 18–20.08.2008.          study visit itinerary:::

Barka fights for support for its activities for Polish migrants
Barka has started negotiations with Foreign Affairs Ministry in Warsaw and Polish Consulate in London which aim at canceling charges for issuing temporary passports for persons in critical socio-economical situations with whom Barka works. Also Barka Board has issued a letter to Polish Parliament Speaker Mr. Bogdan Borusewicz about 8-month-long lack of financial support from Polish Senate for Barka’s activities in London helping Polish migrants what “lays a shade on Polish programme of securing citizens”.

Windsor consultations on migrants' housing problems
On the 26th of June ended three-day long consultations on labour migrants’ housing problems in England organized at Windsor Castle. Consultations gathered 25 experts, leading housing associations’ and local authorities’ representatives, architects and representatives of organizations working for migrants. Ewa Sadowska was representing Barka UK. Suggestions, propositions of changing legislation and implementing new solutions improving living conditions of migrants will be presented to British government.
Second line, sixth from the left: Ewa Sadowska (Barka UK)

Gdańsk Social Economy Conference - a great event of social economy!
The conference will take place on 26 – 28 June 2008. Gdańsk was especially chosen to host this event. As the birthplace of the Solidarity movement and witness to the historic negotiations between Solidarity activists and the communist government in 1980, it is an ideal site to discuss new forms of social solidarity. These reflections are also encouraged by the summing up of the European Social Fund’s EQUAL Community Initiative Programme. The end of the three-year programme raises questions on the future of the social economy in Poland, prospects for its development, and creation of a friendly environment at the local, regional, national and international levels. It is also high time to take a closer look at the results achieved by EQUAL CIP itself. BARKA Foundation was asked to comment achievements of the conference together with Mr. Michał Boni – Polish PM’s advisors’ team head, Mr. Jerzy Hausner – former ministry of labour and social policy well-deserved for the development of social economy in Poland and Mrs. Janina Ochojska – a chairwoman of one of the leading Polish NGOs Polish Humanitarian Organization.
                                    programme of the conference:::

WARNING!!!          WARNING!!!          WARNING!!!
In London works a swindler – Franciszek Milczek – who claims to be a employee of Barka. This person may work with a group of people. This man offers people a help in finding a job and/or a possibility to come back to Poland and cons money out of them. We kindly ask to inform us in case of having contact with this person, having any piece of information or in case of being tricked by person or persons claiming to employees or volunteers of Barka in London.

Ewa Sadowska at the meeting with H. M. Queen of Jordan Rania Al Abdullah
On the 5th of June in the framework of Young Global Leaders programme Ewa Sadowska took part in a Young Global Leaders’ private meeting with H. M. Queen of Jordan Rania Al Abdullah. In the meeting, which took place in London, took part 23 YGL from the all around the world. The subject of the discussion was organizing a study visit of YGL to Jordan and starting a common project for development. Queen Rania underlined an interdisciplinary character of YGL network and a value of connecting different fields of activities (public, non-governmental and business sector as well as media, art and science). Queen encouraged Leaders to put more efforts in order to strengthen YGL network as a community of people tied together by acting for improvement socio – economical conditions in the world.
Queen Rania (formerly Rania Al-Yasin) comes from Palestinian – rooted family. In 1991 she graduated from economics at American university in Cairo and then she started to work in Citibank. In 1993 at the supper she has met Prince Abdullah to whom she has married 5 months later. She is a mother of four children. She is known for her peace activities, she builds bridges between Arab and Western worlds and she fights for rights of women and children in the Near East. Rania is a trustee of many associations and foundations developing educational and entrepreneurship programmes, among others she is a trustee of World Economic Forum and she is a chair of the jury assessing applications of YGL candidates. She is the youngest queen in the world. She was chosen the third the most beautiful women of the world.

Ewa Sadowska visits House of Lords and meets lord Roberts of Llandudno to establish cooperation in UK
On the 3rd of June Ewa Sadowska had a meeting with House of Lords’ representatives in the Parliament: Lord Roberds of Llandudno from liberal democrats and his team. It was a working meeting and aimed at establishment of direction of cooperation between Barka UK and lord Roberts in the framework of labour migrants’ support programme. It has been agreed that lord Roberts will visit Barka’s partnership in boroughs City and Tower Hamlets in the mid June and in September representatives of House of Lords will visit Barka Network in Poland. Lord Llandudno is also interested in cooperation in the framework of building information and counseling points for migrants from Central Europe on airports and Victoria Coach Station.

Next study visit from London in Barka Network
Between the 18th and the 20th of June we will host a study visit from London - sir Julian Rose, Mrs. Jadwiga Łopata, representatives of local government and NGOs from London Borough of Tower Hamlets with whom we collaborate in London.
study visit itinerary>>>
From the left: Ewa Sadowska, sir Julian Rose, Mrs. Jadwiga Łopata

We welcome next - 20! - group of Poles from London
On Saturday the 31th of May 2008 we welcome next group of Polish marginalized labour migrants. 7 persons will visit our organizations gathered in Barka Network and learn about our programmes. Then they will make decisions about their future in Barka Network.

Seventh European Meeting of People Experienced Poverty ended!
Seventh European Meetings of People Experiencing Poverty ended on the 17th of May 2008. Among people experiencing poverty gathered at the Meeting were representatives of Barka Foundation and Barka School.

World Economic Forum and Young Global Leaders meetings - welcome to the gallery!
We invite you to watch our gallery with pictures made at World Economic Forum for Near East hosted this year by Egyptian resort Sharm el-Sheik from the 18th to 20th of May 2008. One of the invitees was Ewa Sadowska, Foundation Barka Board Secretary, Barka UK Director and Young Global Leader 2008.  gallery>>>

Words of sorrow from our friends in France and Holland

I have received information about death of Grzegorz when I was at school, during a break. Now I am writing from home. I can’t get through to Drezdenko, for sure they are very busy organizing a funeral. When? In our school we will devote whole Thursday to Grzegorz in Liceum La Vernet La Varenne: in the morning pupils and teachers in small groups will prepare an afternoon mass. Later on we all will recall various moments spent with Grzegorz in our place and in Poland, we will watch photos. After the mass conducted by Bishop there will be a meal cooked by pupils who had a practice in Marszewo’s kitchen. In our thoughts and hearts we are all with Barka’s family in grief! I quess the best proof of our loyalty given to Grzegorz will be our eagerness to serve the most disadvantaged even harder now!
We send the warmest hugs,
Martine and Marja (France)

Dear all,
Information about Grzegorz’s death shocked and saddened us. Two weeks ago we visited him in Drezdenko, he made impression of a man who had reconciled himself with his fate and with faith had taken new challenges. It is hard to imagine that he is no longer among the living. Dear beloved, we give you all our sincere words of sympathy and we connect ourselves with you in prayers for his soul. Lets hope Merciful God will receive his noble soul to rest in peace.
Tereska and Jeroen van de Loo (Holland)

Barka UK’s representatives in the House of Lords
On the 13^th of May representatives of Barka UK (John Downie, James Morris and Ewa Sadowska) and two representatives of an umbrella organization Homeless Link took part in a meeting in the House of Lords on an invitation of Lord Roberts of Llandudno from liberal democrats. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the biggest challenges of new labour migration to UK, Barka UK activities for support of Central and Eastern European citizens in the scope of counseling, employment and returns, statistical data and Homeless Link recommendations. During the meeting sir Roberts of Llandudno expressed a will to visit Barka Network’s programmes in Poland. The study visit will be possible to organize in the September this year.

Report from study visit in Barka UK

We invite you to read a report from a study visit done by our French friends in Barka UK in London. Martine Wendzinski and Marja Vainola learnt how does Barka UK work for marginalized Polish labour migrants. Read their impressions gathered in a report!
                                     read a report:::

We welcome next - 19! - group of Poles from London
On Saturday the 17th of May 2008 we welcome next group of Polish marginalized labour migrants. 7 persons will see our organizations gathered in Barka Network and learn about our programmes. Then they will make decisions about their future in Barka Network.

We have lost our friend and one of the Barka leaders Grzegorz Niewolny
On Saturday the 10^th of May at 9 p.m. passed away our dear friend and one of the Barka leaders Grzegorz Niewolny – a man of a great heart and of great eagerness to help people. Grzegorz was one of those who contributed the most in building EuroMI project - he was working with great engagement in Dublin and London to help Polish labour migrants to stand back on their feet. We will all deeply miss him.
The funeral takes place on the 15th of May at 1.30 p.m. in Drezdenko, Lord's Transfiguration Church, Szkolna Street

Memoir from Zbyszek Januszewicz’ funeral
On the 1st of May in Lwówek we have said goodbye to Zbyszek Januszewicz, our friend and untiring driver who had saved 100 human lives by driving a bus with passengers from London to Poland. His engagement and devotion was appreciated by Barka community houses’ inhabitants, migrants and employees. In the funeral took part over 50 people.

Words of sorrow from our partners in London
Dear Ewa,
On behalf of the Upper Room Board of Directors and the staff of the Upper Room, we are sorry to hear of the loss of your driver this past week.  We will pray for him and his family, and especially his Barka family because we know you all have had a big impact on his life.
We pray that God will be merciful and provide a better place for him in eternal live. Blessings to you and your family. If there is anything you need or help, give me a call.
Sincerely,
Bruce Marquart, Project Manager The Upper Room

Pictures from Polish - French project in Barka Network: http://www.eauetpaysages.com/Barka.html
Youth from French highschool La Vernet La Varenne (40 persons with teachers) spent 2 weeks in March in Barka Network centres in Wielkopolska region. During the visit young people engaged themselves in Barka Network programmes, e.g.: work in farms, in kindergartens, associations, social coops, Centres of Social Integration. The aim was to establish stable cooperation for student exchange in the Barka Network programmes’ framework. Coming back home young people admitted that “Time spent in Poland started an inner change and led to reflection over life”.

We welcome Poles from London and Kopenhagen
Today at 10 a.m. we have welcomed a group of Polish marginalized labour migrants from London and a man from Kopenhagen brought to Poznań by Kopenhagen City Hall representatives who have stayed in Barka to discuss future cooperation in the EuroMI project framework. Welcome!

„Polish Express” about Ewa Sadowska

We invite you to read an interview with Ewa Sadowska, an EuroMI coordinator, in reference to nominating her Global Leader 2008 by World Economic Forum. article:::

We have lost our friend Zbyszek Januszewicz
On Saturday the 26^th of April at 3 a.m. passed away our dear friend Zbyszek Januszewicz – irreplaceable Barka’s driver and a man of a great heart.

The funeral takes place in Lwówek the 1^st of May at 11 a.m.

Barbara and Ewa Sadowska about themselves in „Polska Głos Wielkopolski”

We invite you to read a joint interview with Barbara and Ewa Sadowskie – mother and daughter – concerning difficult choices, prospects and plans for future. article:::

Barka opens a series of articles about Polish NGOs in UK!

Polish London-based magazine “Nowy Czas” starts a series of articles about Polish NGOs active in UK. An interview with Ewa Sadowska, a coordinator of EuroMI project, and a description of Barka’s activities in Poland and abroad opens the series. Read it! article:::

World Bank invites us to Advisory Committee!
World Bank has invited Barka’s representatives to join Advisory Committee for Civil Society Development Fund (former Small Grants Programme). Barka’s representatives has been invited as “civil society leaders” (quoted from the invitation). During the meeting participants will make decisions about applications which, after final acceptation, will receive grants from World Bank.  

Barka in „Parliament’s Regional Review” – a monthly European Parliament’s magazine!
In a March Issue of “Parliament’s Regional Review”, a monthly magazine issued by European Parliament and devoted to regions and cities of EU, you will find an article about Barka Network activities. One of copies we have received from MEP Filip Libicki who had added a short letter with warm words to Barka’s crew and activists.

Barka’s representatives in the Public Affairs Institute’s Prize chapter
Barka’s Board Chairman Tomasz Sadowski has been invited to participate in a chapter of Jerzy Zimowski Prize which was established by the Institute to commemorate this long-term activist, the Institute trustee and a Home Office ministry between 1990 and 1996. The Prize will be given for social, research, journalistic and other activities devoted to migration issues and questions of refugees. Among other invitees there are people from the world of science, art, politics and NGOs.

„Polish Day” in sir Julian Rose’s Hardwicke mansion near London
Representatives of Barka Network – a programme “Migrants’ Integration Centres in London and Dublin” (Zbigniew Ściana, Tomasz Flinik and Ewa Sadowska) took part in Polish Day organized by sir Julian Rose and Mrs. Jadwiga Łopata in their mansion in Hardwicke on the 17^th of February 2008.
Everybody working and living in the mansion was invited(around 25 persons). During the meeting sir Rose and Mrs. Łopata presented their activities in Poland in the framework of International Coalition to Protect Polish Countryside - among others anti-GMO programme, labour horses’ renaissance programme, activation of Małopolska region rural areas through cultivation of cultural heritage and traditional technologies of the region. Representatives of Barka Network were invited to tell about cooperation and social inclusion programmes in Poland. Zbigniew Ściana invited Hardwicke inhabitants and NGOs’ representatives to visit organic farms run by associations gathered in Barka Network in Wielkopolska region. The presentation was found very interesting and encouraging to start cooperation, i.e. it is planned to start an employment programme in cooperation with Barka Foundation on farms near Hardwicke. In the second part of the meeting guests were served Polish barszcz and bigos(prepared by Barka) and invited to see interior decoration of the mansion which used to serve sir Julian’s ancestors. See a photo gallery!
                                    gallery:::

Report from „Solidarni” football tournament in London

Read a report written by Andrzej Dawidowski, Barka leader working in London, about a football tournament organized by “Solidarni” Foundation. Profit from the event was given to Barka UK for activities for Polish marginalized labour migrants in London.
                                     read a report:::

Polish NGOs conference in London
On the 13^th of April 2008 in Polish House “Ognisko” in London took place a conference of Polish NGOs in which took part representatives of Barka Ewa Sadowska, Andrzej Dawidowski and Marek Kania. On a picture Barka’s representatives with Polish Consul Mr. Robert Rusiecki.

Great success of „Solidarni” Foundation Ball!
We invite you to see a pictures from a ball organized by “Solidarni” Foundation in London on the 12^th of the April 2008. In the event took part over 200 people, £1000 was collected. The money was given to Barka UK for activities for Polish marginalized labour migrants in London. Barka was represented, among others, by Ewa, Maria and Jadwiga Sadowskie (on pictures with former Polish PM Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz). Apart from the dancing a classical Polish films’ show was organized.

Christian Social Week has ended
Today Christian Social Week has ended. In the event took part over 30 representatives of Barka Network including leaders from Poznań, Chudobczyce, Posadówek, Drezdenko and Strzelce Opolskie. Among many interesting panel sessions and presentations of invited guests it is worth to highlight a speech of Mr. President Lech Wałęsa, a panel discussion moderated by Tomasz Sadowski about a contemporary social solidarity, utterances of sister Chmielewska from the Community Bread of Life about a crisis of education and responsibility in Polish schooling system and a speech of independent Poland’s first PM Tadeusz Mazowiecki who pointed out a role of NGOs in a citizen society rebirth.

Pictures: Tomasz Sadowski leading a panel discussion about an idea of contemporary solidarity; Barka representatives Ewa Korzeniowska (Drezdenko) and Antoni Tercha (Strzelce Opolskie) with Mr. President Lech Wałęsa; Tomasz Sadowski giving a new publication about Barka’s activities for social economy to Speaker of Parliament Mr. Maciej Płażyński.

Activities of Barka UK in London - see pictures!
Watch pictures of our street workers with Broadway Centre's team, visiting a person in hospital and meeting a lawyer.

We invite you to participate in Christian Social Week - the 11th to 13th of April 2008, Pope's Theological Faculty Assembly Hall, 1 Katedralny Square, Wrocław, Poland
Christian Social Week is a platform of understanding and consultation aiming at development of attitudes and opinions common for the whole Christian environment concerning social and economical issues.
Christian Social Week gathers associations, foundations, trade unions, action groups and social movements acting in the spirit of Christian Social Thought, willing to build solidarity in local environment and working for common good. This year Week's keynote is "Community - Way of Development for Poland".
The Week is under the honourable patronage of the Speaker of Polish Parliament Mr. Bronisław Korowski, His Excellency Archbishop Marian Gołębiowski Metropolitan of Wrocław and President of the City of Wrocław Mr. Rafał Dutkiewicz. This year's guest of honour is Mr. President Lech Wałęsa.
The second day of the Week - the 12th of April - Tomasz Sadowski, Chairman of the Board of Barka Foundation, leads a panel "What is the meaning of solidarity today?". Organisers of the Week also invited  30 Barka's leaders and activists as special guests.                                   

Housing Justice UNLEASH' new bulletin
We invite you to read a new Housing Justice UNLEASH' bulletin from April 2008. Housing Justice UNLEASH is a NGO from London dealing with a problem of homelessness and housing. It is one of London's NGOs which invited Barka to cooperation for Polish labour migrants in London in June 2006.
                                     read a bulletin:::

The success of tournament for Polish labour migrants
„The Solidarni Tournament” took place in a very friendly atmosphere although there were a lot of emotions and cheering. Teams participating in the tournament were: the Polish Embassy/Consulate, Polish City Club, the French Team, Shoreditch House, mBank & Polish Professionals, Solidarni Foundation, “Polacy Głosują” and Guests. The Polish Embassy/Consulate team won! Representatives of Barka Foundation were asked to present winners with a cup and medals. In next tournament Barka will put up its team!!!

Polish papers about football tournament to support Polish migrants
Article from “Dziennik Polski” and "Nowy Czas", Polish papers in London, on a football tournament organized by the Solidarni Foundation and on inviting Barka representatives.
                                     read articles:::
"Dziennik Polski"(02.04.2008):::  "Nowy Czas"(04.04.2008):::

Parliament's Speaker Mr. Borusewicz receives letters supporting EuroMI project
ECAS (European Citizen Action Service), a Brussels-based organization partnering with Barka wrote a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament Bogdan Borusewicz to support Barka's efforts in building European Migrants Integration Network.
                                     read a letter:::

Party to support migrants in London
Polish Foundation "Solidarni" www.solidarni.org.uk organizes a football tournament and a party to support economic migrants in London. The events will take place on the 5th and 12th of April. Be there!
               invitations: football tournament>>  party>>

Read a correspondence from Kopenhagen's NGO to Ewa Sadowska concerning an issue of homeless Polish labour migants
Dear ms. Ewa Sadowska,
You have been corresponding with one of my team leaders concerning mostly homeless men from Poland, who are representing a major problem mainly in the city of Copenhagen. I have been informed, that your organization have some sort of social aid program, which I and my organization at least would be interested in learning more about hopefully with an intent to establish some sort of common work with the intent of helping the group. The Danish minister of social welfare have issued a statement, that the mentioned group cannot use the facilities for homeless people and that statement have been followed up by the mayor for social affairs in Copenhagen. Thus the group of polish homeless people have nowhere to go and are put into a rather hopeless situation. I would be interested in a meeting with you in order to see, if it would be possible to help your countrymen. If you would be interested in meeting me, I would ask you contact me by mail with a phone number, I can use.
Kind regards,
Bjørn Bendorff

World Economic Forum announces Ewa Sadowska as a 2008 Global Leader!
Ewa  Sadowska joins 245 leading executives, public figures, and intellectuals – all age 40 or younger chosen from around the world. This honour is bestowed each year by the World Economic Forum to recognise and acknowledge the top 200-300 leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute the future of the world. The Young Global Leaders for 2008 include 121 business leaders, as well as leaders from government, academia, media and society at large from 65 countries. The new class represents all regions, including East Asia (64), Europe (58), Middle East and North America (12), North America (45), South Asia (24) sub-Saharan Africa (21) and Latin America (21).

Ewa Sadowska  is a member of  the Barka Foundation Board of Trustees (www.barka.org.pl ) and the Director of Barka UK (www.barkauk.org ) as well as a coordinator of the Work Migrants Centres’ Network. She is the only representative from Poland selected by the Forum.  Ewa is a graduate of the Palmer High School in Colorado, USA, has a master in Ethno- linguistics at the Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan, Poland and post graduate degree in social economy from the Warsaw University. She grew up in Barka communities established by her parents Barbara and Tomasz Sadowski in 1989. From march 1995 until December 2003 worked as International Contacts’ Coordinator at Barka Foundation for Mutual Help fulfilling also the functions of organizing official conferences and press events such as World Bank press conference, animating special festivities such as the Christmas Eve organized every year by Barka at the Poznan Old Market City Gallery and creating the local Association Garbary 28 intended for animating local community with activities heading for the development of children and youth. In 2003 Ewa worked in the Population and Community Development Association PDA in Bangkok, Thailand.
In November 2000 she participated in traineeship at Grameen Bank, Dhaka, Bangladesh in microfinance and capacity-building consulting services - innovative solutions to global poverty led by Mohammad Yunus, the winner of Nobel prize in 2006.

Ewa Sadowska is member of the Redaction Team of the Gazeta Uliczna magazine, which is a monthly publication with social profile, that promotes social economy initiatives and best practices in social entrepreneurship. Gazeta Uliczna is a member of the INSP (International Network of Street Papers). Since June 2007 Ewa is coordinating a Network of Centers for Economic Migrants’ Integration in London and Dublin (www.euromi.info ).
Ewa Sadowska is member of the Redaction Team of the Gazeta Uliczna magazine, which is a monthly publication with social profile, that promotes social economy initiatives and best practices in social entrepreneurship. Gazeta Uliczna is a member of the INSP (International Network of Street Papers). Since June 2007 Ewa is coordinating a Network of Centers for Economic Migrants’ Integration in London and Dublin (www.euromi.info ).

Read more at World Economic Forum website!

Barka on BBC Radio!
Today at 5 p.m. (6 p.m. CET) BBC Radio broadcasts a program about Barka's activities in UK. You can listen to the radio via Internet on BBC Radio website www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

Read a text version of the report:::

We welcome guests from London’s NGO Broadway Centre
From Saturday the 1^st of March Barka’s network of organizations hosts representatives of British NGO Broadway Centre with whom Barka cooperates in London for Polish labour migrants in the framework of Work Migrants’ Integration Centre EuroMI. W are hosting manager Peter Harte and Brenda James who are going to stay with us a few days to learn about model activities developed by Barka’s network organisations aiming at preventing and fighting against social exclusion. 

The head of PM’s counselors invites Tomasz Sadowski to cooperation
Michał Boni, Secretary of State and a head of counselors of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, invited Tomasz Sadowski, a chairman of Barka Foundation, to work in a PM’s counselors workgroup for issues of remigration. First meeting is planned on the 27^th of February in the Chancellery of Ministers Council.

Conference "Work Migration in European Union - Problems and Challenges"
On 24th of September 2007 a conference "Work Migration in European Union - Problems and Challenges" will be held in a Great Room of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. In the conference will take part representatives of Foundation Barka: Tomasz Sadowski and Ewa Sadowska, Zbigniew Galor Ph.D. from Agriculture Academy in Poznan collaborating with the Foundation within the framework of Institute for Monitoring and Recommendation and James Moris and Katarzyna Zagrodniczek from London.

Upper Room/Ur4jobs visit to Barka Foundation, Poznan, Poland September 17^th – September 19^th 2007

Janie Kidston from London has visited us, see her report

raport:::

Study visit of British Government delegation

From 21st to 25th of October Barka Foundation is expecting delegation from British Government (Mr. Steve Guvon from Communities and Local Government and two  members of Homless Link organization - Irmani Darlington and Oliver Hilbery. We also expectig representatives from Hammersmith&Fulham Local Government.

Letter form Sebastian Misiewicz

Hello!

It is me – Sebastian Misiewicz.

I send my greetings to everyone at Barka and to all the people at Chudobczyce!!!!!!

I’m already in Holland working legally in a ice-cream factory.

I also have a lot to do with the paper work needed when you want to get a job.

There is a chance for me to get my own apartment over the next year, but this is a further plan.

Please, send me information about how are the coming backs.

Worm regards!

Group of three representatives of Foundation Barka (Tomasz Sadowski, Ewa Sadowska and Dagmara Walczyk) held the visit in Dublin between 5^th and 7^th of September 2007. Its aim was to learn the situation of Poles living in the capital of Ireland and support being brought by local organizations to the weakest. During three days we met Ambassador Tadeusz Szumowski, consul Malgorzata Kozik, Ewa Sadowska and Agnieszka Pacyga but also trade attaché Jerzy Bartosik. We talked also with representatives of Dublin Local Government, with Jaroslaw Mazkiewicz, priest from Polish parish, with Dariusz Jamrozik from Association of Polish Doctors, with Krystian Fikert from Psychological Counseling Centre, with the revitalization specialist Izabela Litewska and Polish press. We also held a meeting with Irish organizations: Homeless Agency and EAPN. Detailed information in the visit report will be available soon.[Ł.J.]

Local Government of Hammersmith and Fulham Evaluation Report concerning a pilot project H&F – Broadway – Barka for a period from 1^st of June to 31^st of August 2007.[Ł. J.]
                                     report:::

A capitan of The Salvation Army Phil Winter sent us his report from visit in "BARKA" Foundation. [Ł. J.]
               
                           report:::

Notes from the meeting with the Metropolitan Police Communities Together Strategic Engagement Team, Barka foundation and Hammersmith and Fulham council.

"The Barka pilot project in Hammersmith and Fulham: a model for working with Polish street drinkers"
                                                   read:::

The picnic in Piatkowo district
On Sunday - 19th August- in Piatkowo, the one district of Poznan,  started an integration party for people from the district. There was many atraction: two musicgroups and good eating. The picnic was one good idea of Partnership Piatkowo. The Partnership want to help homeless and jobless.

                  TV - relation [polish languge version]:::
                                          gallery:::

New Poles from London come back to Poland
On Saturday the 18th of August we preparing to meet another group of migrants from London. We've got informations from our London's center that this time it will be a group of nine persons. [Ł. J.]

Thank You „Barka”!

We are the group of Poles who was staying abroad for the last few years. We left the country to improve our life conditions. Before leaving we were unemployed and we could not satisfy basic needs. Many of us spent the last penny, very often borrowed from a family or friends, to buy a ticket and start a new life in London, England, usually not knowing a language and without any preparation.

Barbara Sadowska in local polish TV
On Friday - 17th August - Barbara Sadowska with her two  friends - two memebers of Partnership in one district of Poznan: Zbyszko Siewkowski from Centre of Social Integration and Jerzy Jasicki from Caritas by local catholic Church - will be meet with a journalist from local polish TV in Poznan. She talk about EQUAL programme, who is from The Mutual Help Foundation from two years realised and about a picnic in Piatkowo district.

Poles from London have a job! They are working in polish version "The Big Issue" in Poznan
Poles, they who went back to Poland at the last weekend, are begining the work in polish version "The Big Issue". They will be working on the street of Poznan. Today they met in Barka with Mirosław Zaczyński from "The Big Issue", who told with them and showed the Poznan city.

Homeless Worldcup - Poles have the second place!!
The polish futball group from Poznan take a part in the International Homeless Worldcup in Copenhagen, Denmark. Poles was there one week and yesterday they came back with the medails to Poznan. Members of the polish team: Jacek Karczewski, Tomasz Figlarz, Rafał Różański (captain) ,Radosław Różański, Norbert Antoszewski, Robert Tysięczny, Krzysztof Pawłuszko, Roman Ratajczak, Roman Bogusławski (trainer, Jacek Czapliński (menager).

Tomasz Sadowski became the invitation to symposium with Angela Merkel, José Manuel Barosso and George Soros
The Federal Commissioner for Migration, Refugee Affairs and Integration, and the Vodafone Foundation invite Tomasz Sadowski to take a part in international symposium "Integration by Education in the 21-th Century - a Challenge in Public - Private - Partneships" on 16-17 October 2007 in Berlin.
                                          see: 1>>  2>>

Guest in Barka - Poles they who went back from London to Poland
Today in Barka we had enjoyment six Poles they who went back to Poland over. They are Poles they who - with our help - came back to Poland from Great Britan.  Today we've been showing them Barka residence in Poznań and actions of ours partners.
   

"Social economy in practise"

Manager of "Social economy in practise" would like to inform that the Associates meeting will be on Friday 10th of September 2007 at 10 a.m.
                             programme:::

4th 08 2007 Chudobczyce
Today Staszek Szczerba celebrete his 10th anniversary of being sober. To solemnize this event there was a formal dinner in Chudobczyce. Many guests who were invited came to celebrate this with him. There were six polish emigrants from London as well. This means that project which Barka Foundation is preparing in London giving mamy results. It could happend that just like Mr. Szczerba Barka will rescue many of poles who went to England with dreams but they became homeless

  photo and text by  Piotr Szymański translated by L.J.

Homeless Poles coming back

"They living on the street, eating rubbish's food, most of them are addicted to alcohol and drugs. - Now we taking them home – Barka Foundetion is saying""

Report of Cooltura magazine
                                     read:::

Notes from a meeting with London Councils, the Barka Foundation and Hammersmith and Fulham

18^th July 2007, London Councils office, Southwark
                                      see>>

First who went back to Poland

Sebastian is the first Pole who - with our help - came back to Poland from Great Britan. We'll write about his feeling and impressions soon. Today we've been showing him Barka residence in Poznań and actions of ours partners.
         
                            SEE our galery for more photos

Polish Monthly about Barka

Article about Barka Foundation and our mission in London in cuurent issue of Polish Monthly magazine.
                                 see>> 

Meeting with guest from "Hope" association and  members of Le Commité Europeén Coordination from Belgium in Barka Foundation
Today is the second day of study visit with our guests Eric'a Degimbe'a and his son Jean'a in Barka Foundation. Two members of "Hope" association - representative of Church of  England are planning to join us today as well.  Visit will end on wednesday.

Barka representatives at a H&F strategic meeting
Barka Foundation representatives have been invited to a Hammersmith and Fulham strategic meeting on the 26th of June 2007. The meeting will take place at 2pm in the Hammersmith Town Hall. We present the meeting's agenda as well as the agenda of the previous strategic meeting organised in April. 
                                    more:::
                                    more:::

EuroMI London
Lidia Wesierska and Zbigniew Galor from the Civic Institute for Monitoring and Recommendation will go with a study visit to London. They will have the opportunity of seeing the work of the Centre and will take part in various meetings of London Partnership.

The last day of the International Conference of Street Newspapers
On the last day of the INSP conference (16th of June 2007) the delegates together with the editing team have managed to accomplish their 3 day work on the Anti-Poverty Declaration. Furthermore a presentation of SCVO has also been presented. The presentation concerned job adverts and the possibility of income they present to the street papers. The conference ended at 4pm and the organisers received a lot of applause.
          

The International Conference of Street Newspapers
The INSP team together with the Barka Foundation team continue their preparations for the Internationl Conference of Street Newspapers. The Euro Mi team has finished their study visit in London. The conference will be held on the 14-16th of June 2007. 70 delegats from all over the world have begun to arrive to Poznan. The aim of the conference is to create the INSP Antipoverty Declaration which would later on be presented to the UN Ministerial Meeting where the INSP representatives have been invited.
         

The on going study visit in London
The Barka Foundation representatives, the EuroMi representatives together with the participants of the "12 Disciples Programme" begun their study visit in London on the 2nd of June. So far they have already met with the Hammesmith and Fulham authorities as well as representatives of three other London boroughs willing to support the Centre for Migrants Integration in London. It is hoped that the visit will also help found a similar Centre in Dublin.
   

The Polish Senate Commission and the Barka Foundation.
The Barka Fuundation representaives are going to attend a meeting with the Polish Senate Commission for Emmigration and Poles Abroad on the 29th of May 2007. The Foundation is going to be represented by   Tomasz Sadowski, Natalia Płaczek, Bożena Sowiak i Ewa Sadowska (the team responsible for the programme for Polish work migrants in London and Dublin). The Barka Fundation EuroMi project and the Centres for Migrants Integration in Dublin and London accepted by the Polish Senate is going to be discussed during the meeting. The agreement concerning the project is also going to be discussed. 

The Polish Senate Commission and the Barka Foundation
The Barka Fuundation representaives are going to attend a meeting with the Polish Senate Commission for Emmigration and Poles Abroad on the 29th of May 2007. The Foundation is going to be represented by   Tomasz Sadowski, Natalia Płaczek, Bożena Sowiak i Ewa Sadowska (the team responsible for the programme for Polish work migrants in London and Dublin). The Barka Fundation EuroMi project and the Centres for Migrants Integration in Dublin and London accepted by the Polish Senate is going to be discussed during the meeting. The agreement concerning the project is also going to be discussed.
 We present the official repport from a study visit in the Barka FOundation prepared by John Downie- the Hammersmith and Fulham authorities representative.

The official H&F report from their study visit in the Barka Foundation
We present the official report prepared by the Hammersmith&Fulham representative- John Downie from a H&F study visit in the Barka Foundation in Poznan.

The H&F and the Barka Foundation Agreement
The agreement between the Barka Foundation and the Hammersmith&Fulham borough of London Agreement is going to be signed today. The agreement concerns street working and supprting the A8 nationals in their return to their home country and the society.  
                             the agreement>

"Various aspects of the Hammersmith&Fulham and Barka Foundation agreement"- training in Chudobczyce.
The Euromi representatives - Natalia Placzek and Julia Asperska are going to conduct a training called "Various aspects of the Hammersmith&Fulham and Barka Foundation agreement". The training will be directed at the leaders from the "12 Disciples Programme"

Entrepreneurial Women- a programme on Polish TV
Polish TVP1 will broadcast a programme called "Entrepreneurial Women" today on the 18th of May 2007 at 2:25 pm. A member of a social cooperative "Rickshaw" - Irena Szafranska-Ratajczak from Poznan will be featured in the reportage. Social cooperatives may turn out to be an alternative for those Polish work migrants who failed to succeed abroad and are now willing to return to Poland.

A seminar in the School of Barka!
A seminar entitled "Migrations and Rootlessness as <a Potential for Others>" will be held in the School of Barka on Monday the 21st of May 2007 ot 10:00 am. dr  Barbara Goryńska – Bittner , dr Zbigniew Galor,and dr Slawomir Kalinowski representatives of Social Science Faculty and Economy Faculty in the Natural Science University of Poznan will take active part in the seminar. The Barka Foundation leaders, the EuroMi team and the participants of the "12 Disciples" programme will also be present  .  

Representatives of the Natural Science University in Poznan have met with the Barka Foundations representatives. 
Representatives od the Natural Science University in Poznan have met with the Barka Foundations representatives in the seat of the Foundation today on the 14th of May 2007. Dr Barbara Goryńska-Bittner, prof.  Zbigniew Galor and dr Sławomir Kalinowski have met with Barka Foundation representatives in order to discuss future cooperation. A new faculty of socio-economy is going to be created on the University and the academics hope to combine theory and practice thanks to cooperation with the Foundation. Further meetings and consultations are going to be continued.
A conference on social economy issues is going to be organised in the Uniwersity. The Barka Foundation is going to take active part in it.
      

Three important meetings have taken  place in 2 different counties around Poznan today on the 9^th of Mai 2007. 2 partnership meetings have been organized in Lwowek and Kwilcz where Tomasz Sadowski and Ireneusz Niewiarowski- the president of the Polish Village Representatives Association, have encouraged village representatives from the two counties to set up associations.
Later during the day a meeting of the EuroMi team has been organized in Chudobczyce. “The 12 Disciples Programme” participants have also been present at the meeting. These are people who had been in a difficult situation and are now managing foundations and setting up self-help groups. They have become leaders who are able to efficiently support work migrants in need, living on the streets of London and Dublin. The programme participants have been provided with training on the situation of Polish work migrants abroad and they have been presented an agreement signed by the Barka Foundation and the Hammersmith and Fulham London boroughs.

Local democracy in the city of Poznań
A meeting with Ms. Olga Maush, a Glasgow University Phd student took place today on the 8th of May 2007 in the seat of the Barka Foundation. Tomasz Sadowski has presented the development of local partnership in the area of Poznań. Ms Olga Mausch has provided the EuroMi team with a short training and she talked about her personal migration experience .

Creation of the European Network for Migrants Integration- Centres for Migrants Integration In London and Dublin
Agreement with the Polish Senate -  It enables the Barka Foundation to efficiently work with Polish work migrants living on the streets of Londaon and Dublin.  Local authorities of a Londyn borough Hammersmith&Fulham has asked the Barka Foundation to support them In providing assistance to Polish work migrants living In the district. The British side have offered to cover all the expenses connected with supporting homeless Poles. The local authorities hope that thanks to the common work and effort some of the migrants will return to Poland. The Twelve Disciples Programme – the programme is based on the work and experience of people working and living In the Barka Foundation community houses. Those who have experienced alcoholism and homelessness themselves are more efficient in convincing others who are now victims of addiction and live in the streets that they should begin therapy. Polish leaders from the community houses will try to convince homeless and addicted work migrants that going through an adequate therapy, living in the community houses and going through a process of training the communities and other organizations offer, will help them solve their problems.

CGM (Consorzio Gino Maralelli) representatives visit to the seat of the Barka Foundation
Italian partners from CGM have arived at the seat of the Barka Foundation in order to attend a social cooperatives conference entitled " Local Partnership as a Support to Social Economy Initiatives". The 1st day of the conference will be devoted to local partnerships, the 2nd day will concentrate on the analysis of the barriers that social coopeeratives face on the free market.

Centres for Migrants Integration on Polish TV
Polish TV Polonia has invited a EuroMi representative to take part in a programme on Polish work  migrants and the Centres for Migrants Integration to be soon opened in London and Dublin by the Barka Foundation. The programme will be broadcast on Thursday the 26th of April at 8:35pm and on Friday the 27th of April at 02:25 am. On Satturday the 28th of April the programme will be shown at 10:15 am.

The Office for Poles Abroad of the Higher Chamber of Polish Parliament has said today that Barka Foundation will receive funding for Centers in London and Dublin supporting migrant workers. Centers will start operating in early may.                                   see [polish language version]

A meeting of the guests from England with the reps of the Barka Consortium was organized in the School of Social Animation
The meeting started at 8.00 a. m. The Hammersmith representatives came to Poznan for a few days in order to reach an agreement about the cooperation conditions with Barka. The actions undertaken will be aimed at support for labour migrants. The meeting is also related to the anticipation of the decision of the Higher Chamber of the Polish Parliament concerning the application for funding which was submitted by the Barka Foundation to the “Polonia Fund 2007” – funds for the support for Polish Emigrants all over the world. The guests are now watching movie materials on social cooperative movement in Poland. Later on they will talk to the Polish TV (local and national channels) and visit a tourist coop situated by a lake nearby Poznan.

Representatives of Hammersmith & Fulham local authorities in the Barka Foundation
The next day of the visit of the English guests in Poland was devoted to exploring the local partnerships in the countryside (Chudobczyce) and a small town 100 km from Poznan (Drezdenko). The guests arrived in the premises of Barka in the morning and a meeting with the reps of Barka, the EuroMI and ReGENERATION Association was organized. Yesterday our guests had the chance to see the partnerships in a post-industrial area of Poznan (Darzybor) and rural areas of Kwilcz and Lwowek.

             
               TV -programme [polish language version]

Representatives of the local authorities of the Hammersmith borough of London will visit the Barka Consortium in Poland on the 11th - 12th of April. They wish to realise programmes for the labour migrants in cooperation with the EuroMI Poland. During their visit they will see the model solutions that have been worked out within the Barka environment and will agree about the details of further coopeartion.

Easter in Barka!!!
As every year, the Easter holiday will be celebrated in the Barka Foundation. Being the most significant event in the Catholic Church, the Easter reminds us about the death and the resurrection of the Christ. On Saturday at 1.00 p.m. the food will be blessed according to the Polish tradition. The Easter breakfast will take place on Sunday at 10.30. On Monday, there will be a special diner organised. Everyone is welcome!                                         

Deputies of the European Parliament in Barka! 
On Saturday the Barka School was visited by 40 guests, among them two Eurodeputies, Marek Siwiec and a representative of France, members of various associations: The Publishing Association, The Sports Association, the Poznan Centre of Social Economy as well as about 15 prisoners who are in social service. It was a consultancy and information meeting which provided knowledge about the European Parliament. The Barka representatives talked about the programmes of the Barka Consortium: the Centres of Social Integration, Centres of Social Economy, the National Alliance of Organisations for Social Integration, the leaders, various partners and the activities of the European Migrants' Integration Network. A representative of regional authorities in Wielkopolska, Kazimierz Kościelny, presented the activities of Tomasz Sadowski in the field of social issues, in particular social economy, and pointed out that "there are not enough people like Tomek". The Eurodeputies underlined the pioneer - like character of the project realised by Barka and the fact that such an innovative effort should be presented in Brussels. This is why the representatives of the foundation will go to Brussels and present it in front of a wider European audience in September.                                                              

"Development achieved - next step" - Competition for participation in the Fourth Meeting of the People who experienced poverty which will take place on the 3rd - 5th of May 2007 in Brusselss. We welcome the organisations working in the field of social exclusion to propose their candidates with a one-page recommendation letter justifying the choice (what kind of development has the candidate made, which are the most important fields of his activities, e.g. voluntary work). Attention: The recommendations must be submitted until the deadline of the 10th of April 2007. Please send them to the organiser of the delegation of the Polish group, Dagmara Walczyk, at dagmarawalczyk@wp.pl. The participants will be informed about the organisation meeting before the journey. Information about last year's trip can be found on the following website:
http://www.barka.org.pl/bruksela_ubos/bruksela_ubostwo.htm and in Gazeta Uliczna, the Polish Street Newspaper.   

On the 2nd of April, 2007, the death anniversary of the Pope John Paul II was celebrated in the Barka Centre of Social Integration in Poznan. The event was organised by the Barka Arts Association "From the Roadside" and the EuroMI Poland team. The participants of the Integration Centre and the guests saw a movie made by the 3rd channel of the Polish TV during the "Pilgrimage of the Polish Homeless to the Pope" which was organised by the Barka Foundation in 2000. The participants of the pilgrimage who were present during the meeting decribed the change in their lives which was caused by their meeting with the Pope. In the second part of the celebration, representatives of the Arts Association and the EuroMI Poland read poems of John Paul II. All the people gathered sang the favorite song of thePope: "The Barge" (pol. Barka).      

The 50th aniversary of the European Union
 Philip Cordery - the secretary general of the European Socialist Party (PES) and Polish MEP Marek Siwiec will come to the seat of the Barka Foundation on the 31st of March 2007. After the meeting they will go to one of Poznan's biggest squares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Union.

Social cooperatives as an alternative to "work migration"
In Lwowek, a town nearby Poznan aa association was set up in order to provide support to the unemployed. The association's activities show the citizens of Lwowek that work migration is not the only solution to the problem of unemployment in Poland. We present film material broadcast by a local television - TVP3 ( Polish lnguage version)
                                     see>

Canary Wharf
Krzysztof Bednarek & Konrad Staniecki are young successful Poles working in investment banks in London  . They are citizenas of Europe-they studied in France and Germany and are now willing to support those Poles abroad  who haven't been as successful. They have decided to faound an association which could get grants for support programmes, free legal advice and medical assistance for those in need. Krzysztof and Konrad will soon visit the seat of the Barka Foundation in Poznan.               

Ecas Conference-16th of March 2007
Governments' representatives, public services and their networks representatives (such as EURES-European Employment Services,)NGOs, local communities representatives from all over Europe as well as EU instittions representatives were present at the ECAS conference in Brussels.  The aim of the seminar was to create recommendations for EU policy makers in the area of workers mobility. The Barka Foundation as an expert organisation from East-Central Europe was invited to the conference to present its  activities for "migrants in their own country"in Poland and its plans of the activities dissemination in the old Member States ( the activities will be aimed at "work migrants" facing various problems such as difficulties with integration and unemployment)  The Foundation's representative took the floor during the opening session. The speach was perceived as very positive and the following speakers made frequent refference to the Barka Foundation activities. The Director of the Employment and Equal Opportuniies Department informed the EuroMi representatives that the Commissioner Vladimir Spidla has respodned to the Barka Foundation and its partner organisations appeal to the European Commission and that the response should arrive soon.    
                                        more>

A house in Hackney- EuroMi's first Centre
The EuroMi representatives have met with Ms Bernadette Cassidy, Irlandką, who wants her house to be used as a Centre for Migrants Integration in London. The house (4 dormitories, kitchen, 3 bathrooms) is situated in Hackney district and will be rent to the "Barka UK" for a peppercorn rent of £50 per month. (Free market price amounts to around £1300 per month). Ms Cassidy feels deep solidarity with Polish citizens facing problems in the UK since Irish citizens had simmilar experience in the past. She wants the house to be used to support the work migrants. Tim Nicholls from the Simon Community will help Ms Cassidy deal with all the formalities connected with the rental.                             photo gallery>

Social cooperatives as an alternative to "work migration"
In Lwowek, a town nearby Poznan aa association was set up in order to provide support to the unemployed. The association's activities show the citizens of Lwowek that work migration is not the only solution to the problem of unemployment in Poland. We present film material broadcast by a local television - TVP3 ( Polish lnguage version)  see>

Great news for all the work migrants!!!
The "Board for Poles Abroad" of the Polish Senate had their sitting today on the  14.03.2007 in Warsaw. Maciej Playznski,
a speaker of the Polish Senate spoke on Polish TV Polonia later on during the day. He informed the general public that the EuroMI project will receive substatnial founding in order to create a few model Centres for Migrants Integration in different European countries. It is a crucial information for the project s development and also for all the work migrants themselves.

A reportage on Social Cooperatives and the Barka Foundation
We present the best reportage ever on social cooperatives and the Barka Foundation. The programme presents the chance that social cooperatives give to the socially excluded.
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Tomasz Sadowski meets "Young Centre Association"
On Thursday the 8th of March Tomasz Sadowski met with the" Young Centre" representatives in Jan Kulakowski's (a Polish MEP) office in the centre of Poznan. The participants of the meeting talked about problems that modern societies have to face - especially the phenomena of work  migration . EuroMi representatives- Małgorzata Malak from Poznan and Malgorzata Wiktorowicz from London presented the EuroMI project activities and development plans.
                  

ECAS latest report on free movement of Romanian
and Bulgarian workers
 ECAS latest report on free movement of Romanian and Bulgarian workers written by Julianna Traser (the author of ECAS previous report "Who's still afraid of the EU enlargement") is ready! The report will be presented during ECAS seminar on the 16th of March where Ewa Sadowska, the EuroMI coordinator will be one of the speakers.

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Franco Frattini's Lecture on migration
We present a lecture Mr Franco Frattini,  a vice-president of the EU Commission and commissioner responsible for justice, freedom and security gave in London on the 23rd of February 2007. The lecture explains why the EU has a key role to play in the Europe-wide debate about immigration, social integration and economic development.            more>

II National Civic Congress in Warsaw 
The Second Civic Congress will take place in the Warsaw Technical University on the 10th of March 2007. It will be an open debate of around 1000 Poles from various background, generations and regions of Poland. The  meeting is going to have the following motto: " Development through community and competivity". "What benefits have the polish migration brought to Poland's modernisation" is going to be a  topic of one of the thematic session in the Congress.

EuroMI Internship 
Małgorzata Wiktorowicz, a Pole living in London has arrived to Poznan today to begin her EuroMI internship. Małgorzata will be introduced to the Barka Foundation systam and will take part in various partnerships meetings around Poznan. She will also visit Centres for Social, Integration, social cooperatives and accessible housing settlement in Poznan. (J.A.)

“Human rights protection against poverty and social exclusion"
a seminar in Wroclaw 
Re-Generation representatives took active part in a seminar called "Human rights protection against poverty in social exclusion" organised by a Polish MEP Lidia Geringer de Odenberg in Wrocław on the 3rd of March 2007. They presented various programmes carried out by the Holding of Barka Foundation. The presentation has also shown how the projects are linked and combined within the EuroMI network. The Conference concentrated on social economy issues and their presence in the EU policy. Polish experience and good practices were presented by the following organisations: St. Celestine Association, the Barka Foundation, St Albert's Shelter, PRO-EKO social cooperative, and www.PROMOTION.  The participants had also had the possibility of getting to know the activities of a Scottish non profit organisation Furniture Plus which is planning to take part in creating a network of cooperation with Polish organisations.
 

Another TV programme featuring Tomasz Sadowski!
Tomasz Sadowski, The Barka Foundation director has been invited to take active part in a program on local TV on the 5th of March 2007. Social cooperatives will be the main topic of the programme.

The EuroMI project will open the ECAS Conference in Brussels  
EuroMi representatives have been invited to present their project during the opening session at the ECAS Conference (European Citizen Action Service) organised in Brussels on the 16th of March 2007. The conference will concentrate mainly on the work migrants problems.  Jérome Vignôn, the Director of the European Commission Department for Employment, Social affairs and Equal Opportunities will also take part in the session together with MEPs Jean Lambert and Jan Kulakowski. The EuroMi representatives have been asked to make a 10 minute presentation and to take part in the discussion in the second part of the conference. 20 experts on migration and 100 participants will take part in the seminar concerning "work migration" phenomena in the context of the past Year of Workers Mobility. As a result of the seminar a recommendation for European workers mobility policy makers should be made. The conference will take place in Résidence Palace in Brussels.
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The Barka Foundation Director on Polish TV!!!
Tomasz Sadowski, the Barka Foundation Director took part in a TV programme on the 27th of February 2007. The invited guests, together with the Polish Ombudsman talked about legal problems that the socially excluded Poles, also those living abroad, have to face.

Migrants have lifted British economy, says study 
The flow of migrant workers into the UK has boosted economic growth and helped keep a lid on inflation without undermining the jobs of British-born workers, according to a study released yesterday.The report by accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers enters a vigorous debate about whether immigration has a positive impact on the UK economy
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Jobless Poles swell rise in migrants from the east
Deepening unemployment in Poland has fuelled an unexpected 20,000 increase in east European migrants coming to Britain last year, bringing the number to 232,000, according to Home Office figures published yesterday source: The Guardian.
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EuroMI strategic development plan presentation
 A meeting of all the model local partnerships from the Wielkopolska region met within the "Social Economy in Practice"partnership today on the 26th of February 2007. Representatives of each local partnership presented their activities and development. EuroMI representatives took part in one of the panel sessions and presented their strategic development plan for the EuroMI project. Partnership models created by the Barka Foundation are going to be introduced in 16 other regions of Polanad and later on to the 27 EU countries. They are all going to be members of the EuroMI network. One of very important activities in Polish partnerships will be working with all the potential work migrants offering courses and all kinds of advice and support. Those not prepared to the process of migration will be advised to stay in Poland go through a process of training and found social cooperatives. All the partners in the EuroMI network will have the possibility of exchanging trainees and study visits.  An institute for monitoring, research and training will also be created. It will concentrate on the system's monitoring, publications and reports launch as well as providing training for experts employed in the Centres for Migrants Integration. 

The 2nd EuroMI Newsletter !!!
We invite you to have a look at our latest Newsletter edition where we present our achievements, activities and plans for the future.                           Newsletter>

Partner organisations have presented their suggestions concerning the Wielkopolska Region Employment Strategy for the years 2007-2008
The Barka Foundation representatives together with the School of Barka- Centre for Social Integration and Nationwide Alliance of Organisations for Social Integration and EuroMI representatives have writen to Mrs Barbara Kwapiszewska a list of suggestions concerning the Wielkopolska Region Employment Strategy for the years 2007-2008.  
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Re GENERATION - a new association
A new association has been founded by young employees of the Barka Foundation holding and people not engaged with the Foundation activities but interested in acting in the field of development and equal opportunities. The association is called Re GENERATION and  will concentrate on projects concerning young people, cultural diversity, international and national exchanges, internships, volunteering, study visits in Poland and abroad. It will also aim at preparing projects fighting discrimination and promoting ecology and active leisure activities.

Report from Social Entrepreneurs Summit 2007, Switzerland, organized by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. The report attached provides an overview of the discussions held over the course of three days, from January 21 to 23.                                   more>

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                                            Tivoli Final Report >