Open Kraków: Recommendations for ensuring safety in the city

Recommendations for cities: how to effectively counter discrimination and build social safety

Contemporary cities face growing challenges—from social tensions and hate speech to the need to build safe, inclusive communities. This publication was created in response to these challenges—particularly in the context of Kraków.
Prepared by the Jewish Czulent Association in cooperation with experts, including legal practitioners, it is based on real incidents reported to our organization as well as an analysis of media reports from Kraków. The recommendations also take into account specific provisions of municipal programs and policies, as well as proven examples of good practices.
It is a practical tool for city authorities, public officials, and those responsible for public policy—showing how to design solutions that genuinely increase safety, counter discrimination, and strengthen human rights.

The concept of safety in the city is changing. It no longer concerns only infrastructure or public order, but increasingly includes social relations, a sense of belonging, and protection from violence—including violence motivated by prejudice.

We see that cities need concrete tools that enable them to respond to these phenomena in a systemic way, rather than only through ad hoc interventions. That is why we have developed a set of recommendations that help translate values—such as equality and human rights—into real actions and administrative decisions.

Who is this publication for?

The publication has been designed primarily for:

• city authorities and local governments
• public officials responsible for social policy and safety
• people working on urban development strategies
• civil society organizations cooperating with public administration

This is a resource for those who want to act effectively—in a structured, data-driven way, tailored to contemporary challenges.

What do the recommendations include?

The publication combines analysis with practice. It includes concrete proposals for actions that:

• increase the effectiveness and coherence of urban policies
• support efforts to counter discrimination and bias-motivated crimes
• help build a safe and inclusive environment for all residents
• take into account both local conditions and the broader social and political context

The recommendations were developed, among other things, on the basis of analyses and audits concerning the functioning of the city of Kraków, presented in 2024, which gives them a strong grounding in real urban governance processes.

From diagnosis to action

One of the key elements of the publication is demonstrating that effective urban policy begins with a proper diagnosis.

Safety is understood here as more than just a state—it is a process that requires continuous work, collaboration, and the adaptation of tools to a changing reality. This approach allows cities not only to respond to crises, but to prevent them.

Expert knowledge and Czulent’s experience

The recommendations were not developed in a vacuum. They are the result of the work of the Jewish Czulent Association, which has been engaged for years in countering hate crimes, analyzing social phenomena, and supporting victims. In our work, we combine community-based experience with expert knowledge—including legal and institutional expertise.

Collaboration with practitioners, including experienced prosecutors, has given the publication not only an analytical dimension but, above all, an implementation-focused one—centered on what actually works.

This publication was developed as part of the project “Open Kraków: Recommendations for a safe city,” co-funded by the City of Kraków.

This publication was co-funded by the Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future” (EVZ). This publication does not reflect the position or views of the Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future” (EVZ).