Hate speech is on the rise in Poland. Effective hate speech prevention is a major challenge for law enforcement agencies, public institutions, and civic society organisations – it requires co-ordinated activities. Local organisations working to prevent hate speech need to network. All-Polish activities aimed at system changes apart, local activities are of key importance – hence the need to continue activities fostering self-organisation of the Roma community in Żywiec. A study Batory Foundation study proved that the Roma are one of the three minority groups in Poland most exposed to hate speech.
The purpose of the project was to network organisations acting locally to the end of drafting efficient and innovative hate speech prevention tools, and to strengthen the integration of the Roma community with Żywiec residents.
An educational exhibition describing hate speech was organised. The Roma community resident at the Kabaty housing estate in Żywiec were empowered. Four strategic conventions were held, 10 non-governmental organisations in attendance. In a joint networking effort, an educational exhibition on hate speech prevention was designed, comprising a multimedia presentation, a computer game, and Living Library-inspired posters. The exhibition was shown at three locations. Ten good practice exchange sessions were organised, organisations learning from one another. Guidelines were drafted to support organisations intervening in hate speech cases. Local activities in Żywiec included integration workshops at schools attended by Roma children, and workshops at the social housing estate. A workshop targeting teachers was delivered by the Icelandic partner.
The partner organisation was responsible for delivering knowledge on how to work with young people threatened with social exclusion.
Beneficiaries included representatives of 10 non-governmental organisation representatives – network session participants, 200 educational exhibition visitors, and 15 Roma children.