Recommendations for updating the “Open Kraków” Programme

Recommendations for updating the “Open Kraków” programme – How to build a truly inclusive city

How can we create a city that not only “integrates,” but truly includes all residents—regardless of their origin, migration experience, or identity? This publication was developed to answer that question in a practical way. Prepared by the Jewish Czulent Association in cooperation with social and institutional partners, it presents a set of concrete recommendations for Kraków. It is based on the experiences of local residents, minority organizations, and officials—showing how to design urban policies that effectively respond to contemporary challenges. This is a tool for local governments, decision-makers, and public institutions that aim to implement systemic solutions based on data, dialogue, and collaboration.

This is a publication that begins with listening – and leads to change.

The recommendations were developed through a participatory process involving workshops, interviews, analyses, and consultation meetings with members of minority groups, migrants, and representatives of municipal institutions.
As a result, the document is not a theoretical study, but a response to real needs and experiences – both of those who create policies and those who are directly affected by them.

From integration to inclusion – A shift in perspective

One of the key conclusions of the publication is the need to move from thinking in terms of “integration” to an approach based on inclusion. This shift assumes shared responsibility – on the part of both institutions and communities – and treats diversity as a resource rather than a challenge.

Municipial policies as a system of interconnected vessels. The publication shows that effective actions for equality and safety cannot be fragmented. That is why we propose a horizontal approach – linking different areas of urban policy, from education and the labor market, through housing and health, to safety and culture.

It is precisely at this level that the Jewish Association Czulent identifies the greatest gaps – and proposes solutions.

Specific areas, concrete actions The recommendations cover a broad spectrum of how the city functions, including:

• safety – countering hate crimes, incident reporting systems, and support for victims,
• education – the development of intercultural education and tools for responding to discrimination,
• labour market – support for employment and entrepreneurship of people with migration experience,
• usługi publiczne – dostępność językowa, szkolenia dla urzędników, wykorzystanie technologii (np. AI w tłumaczeniach),
• housing and the right to the city – countering exclusion and strengthening social participation.

Each of these areas has been described in a practical way – with implementation in mind, not just diagnosis.

Participation and cooperation as the foundation

The publication emphasizes the role of co-decision-making – through citizens’ panels, dialogue forums, expert networks, and cooperation with minority organizations.
This approach strengthens not only the quality of policies, but also social trust and the city’s resilience to crises.

Data, experience, and systemic change.

At Czulent, we combine work with people experiencing discrimination and exclusion with data analysis and research processes. This allows us to identify real gaps in the system and propose solutions that can be implemented at the local level – but also scaled up to the national level.

This publication is an example of such an approach: it shows that well-designed urban policies can not only respond to current needs, but also help shape a more just and resilient society.

This is not just a set of recommendations. It is a roadmap for change – for Kraków and for other cities that seek to build policies grounded in equality, knowledge, and genuine dialogue with residents.

The report was prepared as part of the public task:
“Participatory development of recommendations for updating the policy on the integration of foreigners and representatives of national and ethnic minorities in Kraków – Participatory update of the Open Kraków Programme.”