From September 15 to 18, Association “Euni Partners” , together with representatives of the Municipality of Blagoevgrad, the Blagoevgrad Regional Administration and the Blagoevgrad Labour Office Directorate, participated in a field visit to Lodz, Poland, as part of the “EPIC-UP” project. The visit brought together representatives of various institutions and non-governmental organisations from Bulgaria and Poland to exchange good practices in the field of social inclusion, migrants’ integration and support for vulnerable groups. Participants had the opportunity to discuss specific challenges for integration, as well as sustainable solutions that are being implemented at the local level in Lodz.
The field visit began with an official meeting at the Urban Activity Bureau, where the delegation was welcomed by Adam Pustelnik, First Deputy Mayor of Łódź and Agata Kobylinska, the Mayor’s representative for humanitarian aid. They presented a structured approach to migration, as well as the fact that Łódź is the first city in Poland to introduce a systematic policy for the support and integration of migrants.
The city has five independent Centers for the Integration of Foreigners, each serving different target groups but offering identical activities. The Regional Labour Office in Łódź is a key partner in projects for the professional realisation of foreigners. In 2024, there was a special program dedicated solely to foreigners, while in 2025, all measures were combined into a single program.
The program provides:
- funding job opportunities;
- training courses and professional qualifications;
- consulting and assistance in entrepreneurship;
The education system in Łódź has also been adapted to the needs of Ukrainian children. Intercultural assistants play an important role in this process. Their profession was officially recognised on September 1, 2024. The programs are supported by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education. Specialised courses support Ukrainian teachers in legalising their qualifications and strengthening their language skills.
Spilno HUB and Urban Activity Bureau
The Bulgarian delegation visited the first Spilno HUB in Poland, created by the non-governmental organisation “Społecznie Zaangażowani.” It provides social, educational and psychological support to refugees from Ukraine, with a special focus on women and children.
Another example is the Urban Activity Bureau, which is run by the municipality and provides free space for civic initiatives. It employs 45 people and is open to all residents of Łódź, as well as it hosts around 500 events per year. The building has free accommodation for children without parental care, provided by the municipality.
An example of a successful practice from a project they have created, which offers:
- Polish language and digital literacy courses
- Career guidance and training
- Psychological support, which is a key factor for successful integration
The municipal transport company in Łódź is one of the largest employers in the region. It currently employs 46 foreigners, 39 of whom are Ukrainians who have completed qualification courses.
Integration model
A distinctive feature of Łódź is the bilateral model of cooperation between institutions and non-governmental organisations. Since 2000, NGOs have taken a leading role in working with migrants and since 2016, institutional involvement has also increased. The approach is systematic and long-term, rather than based on short-term projects. The city has specialised structures for working with foreigners, including:
- A team of intercultural assistants, psychologists, translators and social assistants
- A specialised department for foreigners, assisting with the legalisation of residence, social services and legal aid
- Integration services and parenting courses for adaptation
The working visit to Łódź provided a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and build partnerships between institutions and civil society organisations from different countries. Łódź demonstrated good practices in working with migrants and promoting integration and solidarity.
