The project entitled "INTEGRATION IN THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT" is implemented by ACTIV JUSTYNA GRABOWSKA in partnership with the "World of the Family" Foundation (multisectoral partnership; Crit. spec. no. 1 and no. 2). Main objective: activating and increasing the level of social integration by ensuring the availability of inclusive and educational services for third-country nationals, including migrants, which will allow them to function better in Polish society. The project will be implemented in the period from 01.06.2024 to 31.12.2024 in the city of Elbląg, Elbląg county, Braniewo county, Ostróda county. 20 participants (16K, 4M) will be supported. Milestones: - Enabling wide access to integration services, advice and information for all interested and in need third-country nationals, including in particular refugees from Ukraine, through the activities planned under the project. - Providing specialist advice, including legal, social and civic advice for third-country nationals in need, in particular refugees from Ukraine. - Improving the linguistic, cultural, legal and social competences of third-country nationals as a result of their participation in the forms of support planned during the project implementation period. -Prevent discrimination and cultural conflicts in the local community. The project is composed of many diverse and comprehensive actions addressed to third-country nationals legally residing in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, with particular emphasis on refugees from Ukraine who entered Poland after the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, as well as to the host society to the extent necessary to support third-country nationals. The project is addressed entirely to Ukrainian citizens who left their country after the aggression of the Russian Federation and results from a diagnosed problem situation: 1 - Refugees from Ukraine are primarily women, more than 60% of whom came with children, most often with one or two. Nearly 24% of women came alone, mostly under the age of 29 and over the age of 60. 2 - Despite the large previous labour migration to Poland, more than 50% of the refugees who are currently in Poland have not been in Poland before or had contact with people who have visited our country. A large proportion of refugees (46%) did not speak Polish. Approximately 49% of respondents said that they understand the Polish language a little, with difficulty, but can communicate. 5% declared good knowledge of the Polish language 3 - Particularly difficult in terms of the potential integration of refugees in Polish society and on the labour market may be the situation in regions of Poland to which relatively many people who had no previous contact with our country and language (e.g.: voivodships: Świętokrzyskie, Podlaskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie). 4 - Refugees from Ukraine raise concerns about relations between them and Poles (74%). The reasons for concern are, among others, cultural differences, stereotypes, lack of sufficient knowledge about the socio-economic conditions of Poland, prevailing norms, as well as the lack of opportunities for direct integration with local society. Sources: Life and economic situation of refugees from Ukraine in Poland Report from a survey conducted by the NBP OO [accessed 11.2023].