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IRC in Poland Country Program Update 2025 Who We Are The IRC has been present in Poland since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Over time, our role has evolved from direct humanitarian assistance to long- term economic empowerment and social integration of migrants and refugees from Ukraine of which 90 percent are women and children. Today, we help refugees thrive through job readiness programs, vocational trainings, language courses, and support for microbusiness development. In women empowerment and child protection areas, we work in partnership with authorities, NGOs, refugees and communities to create inclusive, lasting solutions. We also work to ensure all refugees have access to their rights. To-date, some 180,000 clients have received our services. Where We Work At a Glance In 2025, despite having to optimize its structure and scale down its activities due to financial cuts, IRC Poland’s staff of some 30 served 39,930 clients (of whom 28,319 women) through 52 client-facing services. IRC Poland cooperated with 11 local non- governmental organisations – mostly in Warsaw, Wrocław, Katowice and Poznań. We provided 261 external individuals with training sessions. Context Working in Country Impact of funding cuts in FY25 Poland is a stable democracy, although it Some of IRC Poland’s partners were struggles with the growing influence of critically affected by the cuts. To ensure nationalist and xenophobic attitudes. Since continuity of their services for our clients, February 2025, a law has been in effect that we decided to cover their financial shortfalls restricts the right to asylum for people who under TR518. This applied to two Women's enter Poland from Belarusian territory. At the Protection and Empowerment partners and same time, however, the million-strong two Protection partners: Feminoteka, community of refugees from Ukraine can still Martynka, Halina Nieć Legal Aid Center, enjoy full rights – incl. access to education, and the Rule of Law Institute, respectively. the labor market, and support programs.  Programming in Country Child Protection Implementation of Standards for the Protection of Minors and trauma- 1,980 informed practices. IRC Poland helped schools create six „Peace Corners” clients – dedicated quiet spaces where children can rest and practise self- served regulation techniques. Due to positive feedback we received, we plan to roll out the program in and around Warsaw. We also organized roundtables to improve risk identification and focus on integrating education and child protection systems for coordinated responses. Conflict management and prevention of peer violence remain our top prriorities. Economic Empowerment IRC Poland works to ensure migrants and refugees in Poland achieve 4,507 clients financial independence. We organize job fairs, support microenterprise served and business development and upskilling, conduct trainings for aspiring entrepreneurs, identify barriers in access to employment which stem from discrimination and socio-economic status. In 2025, our program to support microbusinesses was scaled up through cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Polish- Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce. Education 14,009 IRC Poland led sustained advocacy efforts focused on ensuring access clients to education for Ukrainian children in Poland. Additionally, new served partnerships were created to promote inclusive education for refugee children. Other priorities, among others, were: data-informed dialogue on the needs of foreign students, including the release of a quantitative report, alongside programs promoting student participation, engagement, teamwork, and well-being. Protection Main areas of focus: initiatives to counter hate speech and bias- 19,434 motivated violence against refugees and migrants; GBV prevention and clients served supporting GBV survivors, Women Protection and Rule of Law and strengthening state-supported protection frameworks, among others. IRC Poland focused its efforts on strengthening institutional and community capacity to prevent and respond to GBV through targeted trainings, practical tools, and partnerships with Polish organizations Learn more about the IRC in Poland: Dariusz Ziętek, Country Director, [email protected] International Rescue Committee | Rescue.org Saatja: "Bozidar Dimic" <[email protected]> Saaja: "Info - SOM" <[email protected]> Teema: Meeting Request – IRC Poland Assessment Visit to Estonia_16-18 March Kuupäev: 2026-03-09 09:57 Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Dear Sir/Madam, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Bozidar Dimic, and I am writing on behalf of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Poland. IRC is a global humanitarian organization operating in more than 40 countries and supporting people affected by conflict and displacement. Within Europe, IRC Poland leads regional initiatives focused on protection, socio-economic inclusion, and access to rights for refugees and migrants, particularly those displaced from Ukraine. For your reference, I have attached a brief two-page overview of IRC Poland’s work and a letter on behalf of IRC Poland Country Director. As part of our ongoing regional assessment and partnership development process, IRC Poland will conduct an assessment visit to Estonia from 16–18 March. The purpose of the visit is to better understand the institutional and policy framework related to refugee protection, migration management, and integration, as well as to explore potential areas for future cooperation with national institutions and key stakeholders. During the visit, we will focus on the following areas: * Economic empowerment, including labour market access, employer engagement, and entrepreneurship opportunities for refugees and migrants; * Education and child protection, including access to education, school inclusion, and support for young people’s transition into the labour market; * Protection, including access to legal information and services, prevention of exploitation and gender-based violence, and initiatives promoting social cohesion; * Safety and security considerations, including institutional responses to disinformation and preparedness within the broader resilience framework. In this context, we would greatly value the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, to exchange perspectives and discuss relevant developments in these areas. We are available for meetings between 16 and 18 March and would be pleased to adjust our schedule to a time that is convenient for you. Thank you very much for your consideration. We greatly appreciate your time and look forward to the possibility of meeting. With kind regards, Bozidar Dimic Grants and Partnerships Advisor International Rescue Committee Poland, Warsaw | <http://www.rescue.org/> www.rescue.org [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> WA/Viber: 00381645020108 <https://www.rescue.org/eu/country/poland> Please note that the IRC Poland implemented the Whistleblowing Procedure pursuant to the Act of June 14, 2024. The full procedure indicating channels for reporting is available here <https://rescue.box.com/s/9021mv37v0qozj54ah12ok6vy9cj90e3> . Fundacja International Rescue Committee Polska Registration number: 0000967282 Address: Zelazna 59A 00-848 Warsaw Poland Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia To whom it may concern Assessment Mission of IRC Poland to the Baltics Dear Sir/Madam, On behalf of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Poland, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the important work carried out by the Government of the Republic of Estonia in responding to the challenges related to migration and displacement in recent years. The International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian organization operating in more than 40 countries, supporting people affected by conflict, crisis, and displacement. Within Europe, IRC Poland leads several regional initiatives aimed at strengthening protection systems, promoting economic inclusion, and supporting access to services for refugees and displaced populations, particularly those affected by the war in Ukraine. In this context, our colleague Mr. Božidar Dimić will be visiting Estonia, from 16-18 of March, as part of a regional learning visit to the Baltic states. The purpose of this visit is to exchange perspectives with public institutions and relevant stakeholders, better understand national approaches to migration management and refugee inclusion, and explore opportunities for sharing experiences and good practices. During his visit, Mr. Dimić will be meeting with a range of national institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners working in areas such as migration governance, economic inclusion, and social integration. Should it be possible, we would greatly appreciate the opportunity for Mr. Dimić to briefly meet with representatives of your institution during his stay in Estonia in order to exchange perspectives and learn more about Estonia’s experience and priorities in this area. We thank you in advance for considering this request and remain at your disposal for any additional information. Yours sincerely, Dariusz Zietek, Country Director [email protected]