Feminist EmPOWERment Grant:
Reactivation of Women’s Clubs for immigrant women – professional activation, as well as multifaceted integration support for persons from Ukraine staying in Poland.

“Until now, our activities have been limited. Migrant women and migrants were not the number 1 topic in Poland. Since the outbreak of the war, we provide humanitarian aid.”

About the Organization

The foundation “Our Choice” was founded in 2009 by persons from Ukraine and friends from Poland who met around the “Orange Revolution”. The aim was to support persons from Ukraine in Poland, as well as to support the development of cultural, educational, economic, and political contacts between Poland and Ukraine.
In 2014, the Ukrainian House opened in Warsaw – a place where people from Ukraine “can feel at home”. Over time, both the entire Foundation and the Ukrainian House expanded their activities to persons from other countries living in Poland. Currently, they offer broad support, space for activities and exchange of experiences, and a sense of belonging to a community.

“What we do cannot be done through volunteering alone. This is a job that requires qualifications.”

About the action

The Foundation operates a reception point for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Other activities include: a helpline, a stationary consultation point in the Ukrainian House, mediation in finding apartments, Polish language courses, a school with Ukrainian curriculum, psychological assistance, and a wide cultural offer. These actions are particularly important during the first weeks of the war, and the next step is to support persons who reach Poland and decide to stay here.

The grant recipients see a particular need to support female refugees and their children: it is mainly these groups that remain in Poland and need support in integration, settling in a new country, and long-term, comprehensive assistance. Therefore, they reactivated the Women’s Clubs, which deal with social and professional activation of immigrant women. There are already four Clubs operating in Warsaw, the 5th will be opened soon. Women’s Clubs are not only a place of integration and mutual support for refugees, but also training, learning about various aspects of life in Poland, sharing experience and talents. During the meetings of individual Clubs, the participants receive professional care for their children.

Grant amount: PLN 80,000
Photo Ukrainian House /own material