Non-governmental organisations continue to play a key role in the development of intercultural dialogue, cultural participation and international cultural cooperation in Poland. In recent years, NGOs have increasingly engaged in projects related to migration, minority rights, democratic resilience, media literacy and support for refugees, particularly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Intercultural dialogue activities are often implemented through partnerships with local governments, European institutions and international cultural networks.
The Foundation Pogranicze (Borderland), situated in Sejny, provides various programmes (together with the Centre Borderland of Arts, Cultures and Nations) for students, artists, cultural activists etc. Sejny is a small town near the Lithuanian border where the atmosphere of multiculturalism is still vibrant. (In the past it was a village inhabited by Jews, Poles, Lithuanians, Russians and Germans – a perfect example of the cultural blend that was characteristic of Poland before World War II). The Foundation is very interested in extending its projects that result in co-operation with European and world organisations involved in intercultural and trans-national issues. Sejny-based institutions are very active and give support to many initiatives aimed at promoting tolerance and peaceful co-existence of many ethnic and national groups.
Since Poland’s accession to the European Union, international cultural cooperation has become increasingly diversified and institutionalised. In recent years, particular importance has been attached to cooperation with Ukraine, Eastern Partnership countries and European Union member states. After 2022, many cultural institutions and NGOs became actively involved in supporting Ukrainian artists, cultural workers and refugees through residency programmes, joint artistic projects and emergency cultural assistance initiatives. Cultural cooperation with non-EU European countries is supported via Swiss Grants and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, which are an important source of co-financing of activities based on bilateral cooperation with Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. EEA and Norwegian Funds continue to play an important role in financing international cultural cooperation, heritage protection, cultural accessibility and local cultural development projects in Poland. In recent years, these mechanisms increasingly supported initiatives related to sustainability, social inclusion, digital transformation and strengthening the resilience of cultural institutions and civil society.
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