What Leeds can learn from Poland about bringing communities together

Wrocław, Poland

Pria Bhabra, Leeds City Council's Migration Programme Manager represented Leeds recently at a two day study visit to the city of Wrocław, Poland organised and funded by the Council of Europe's Intercultural Cities Network. Here, she tells us about what she learned and how it might be applied in Leeds.

I had the privilege of representing Leeds recently in a a recent two day study visit to Wrocław, looking at encouraging intercultural dialogue - a fancy way of saying how cities can encourage people from different communities to communicate better and build on what they have in common.

Wrocław is the next largest city after Warsaw and Krakow which in 2024 had a population of 642,000. The diversity of Wroclaw has changed significantly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Wrocław train station was a focal point where 10,000 Ukrainians would disembark , with new refugees arriving daily basis. This location became a hub bringing together local government, the voluntary sector and volunteers from across the city to receive and support refugees.

The aim of the study visit was to collaborate with other member cities from all over the world, to learn and share good practice on how to make our cities and neighbourhoods places that could foster interaction, value diversity and promote equality for and in tural local communities. Cities present at the study visit recognised the rapidly changing environment, from global politics to the climate emergency and the concerns at a local level particularly on responding to crisis situations, and the rapidly changing nature of our communities.

I also had an opportunity to share some of the great work we are doing in Leeds.

One part of the study visit struck me as a great example of one person's will to make change in his local area where conflict and tensions had regularly arisen. Through art projects co-created with members of the community of all ages, previously dark alleyways and courtyards now feature vibrant murals and pottery. Everyone can recognise their individual contributions. As a result, the community feels a sense of pride, the area feels safer, and relations have become more harmonious.  

A new community-led series of murals is now decorating parts of Wrocław

So much of what they have done in Wrocław seems sensible, practical and eminently achievable at low cost, with plenty of potential to learn from and apply in Leeds.

Note: The Council of Europe's Intercultural Cities Programme supports cities and regions in reviewing and adapting their policies through an intercultural lens, and developing comprehensive intercultural strategies to manage diversity as an advantage for the whole society.

Leeds has been a member of Intercultural Cities since 2019.