Open Krakow Program - history

Krakow owes its extremely rich cultural heritage not only to the indigenous people who were born in Krakow, but also those who came from Poland and abroad. In addition to outstanding and uncommon individuals, Krakow has always attracted ordinary immigrants who brought diverse cultural influences to the city's tissue, and at the same time contributed to its socio-economic development.

 

Krakow’s proportion of foreign residents is one of the largest in Poland. According to the estimates provided by the Voivode of the Malopolska Region, approx. 37 167 foreigners have valid residence permits issued by the Voivodeship Office (as at February 2019), of which it can be assumed that approx. two-thirds live in Krakow, i.e. approx. 24,800 people. What is more, over 2 million foreigners come to the city every year. The city is both an important university and tourist center as well as business center, which means that there are foreigners of different origins, age, material status and situation in the city, including persons exposed to discrimination.

History of the "Open Krakow" Program

In August 2012, an agreement was signed between the Social Affairs Department and the INTERKULTURALNI PL Association, the purpose of which was to support the implementation of the actions described in the "Strategy for prevention and reaction to racist and xenophobic events in the public space of the city - a proposal for the local government of the City of Krakow" 2012-2016)." Their partnership agreement defines the scope of cooperation between the Krakow Municipal Municipality and the Association within the "Krakow against racism and xenophobia" project implemented with the use of the Stefan Batory Foundation funds.

The implementation of joint actions to combat racism and xenophobia included, pursuant to Regulation No. 551/2013 of the President of the City of Krakow of 4 March 2013, the establishment of a Task Team for the preparation of a draft resolution of the City Council of Krakow on multicultural issues, anti-discrimination, racism and xenophobia in Krakow. The team included representatives of non-governmental organizations, Departments of the City of Krakow Office and municipal organizational units. The team operated under the leadership of the Deputy Mayor of the City of Krakow, Mrs. Magdalena Sroka, from April to December 2013.

In 2014, a draft resolution on the adoption of the Program for preventing and reacting to racist and xenophobic events in the urban space was consulted with Krakow City Office Departments and municipal organizational units.

In January 2015, the Social Affairs Department invited non-governmental organizations and the entities referred to in art. 3 par. 3 of the Act of 24 April 2003 on Public Benefit and Volunteer Work for consultations to participate in the "Prevention and Response Program for Racist and Xenophobic Events in the City of Krakow" Project. After presenting the project at the Social Policy Committee of the Krakow City Council, the document was supplemented with a new diagnosis and the program content correction, changing some of its elements, special attention was paid to emphasizing the benefits that come from the diversity and multiculturalism of the city.

In September 2016, the Krakow City Council adopted a resolution regarding the "Open Krakow" Program