The project addresses the problem of social exclusion of migrants from the East living in Bialystok and surrounding areas. A significant proportion of them are women supporting their families, often working hard, many hours a day and below their qualifications, with no chance to take care of their own well-being or self-development. Among the biggest barriers to integration are the language barrier (limiting access to information or the labour market), the administrative-legal barrier (making it difficult to deal with official matters), the socio-cultural barrier (leading to isolation). Among migrant women living in Bialystok, there is a lack of female leaders and self-advocates who would act for their community and be its voice.

As part of the project, migrant women living in Bialystok took part in a Polish language course, received vocational and educational counselling and psychological counselling. Several different open integration events were also organised. A total of 441 women benefited from these activities, to varying degrees. In addition, 16 women took part in the Leadership Academy programme, which consisted of a series of workshops on self-advocacy, individual mentoring, meetings with inspirational migrant women and study visits to local social action groups. An Immigrant Women’s Club was also established, where female leaders carried out self-help and integration activities for other migrant women from the region and their families.

Thanks to the project, migrant women from across the eastern border living in and around Bialystok were empowered, became more open, active and independent, and the whole community became integrated. They have received support that has greatly reduced barriers to integration and has had a positive impact on their well-being. The club now has a membership of around 600 people. In turn, 16 participants of the Academy have improved their leadership and self-advocacy competences and gained experience of implementing their own projects.