Two of Barka UK representatives, Ewa Sadowska and Andrew Keogh, attended Ashoka Changemaker Summit 2024 in Hamburg between 5th -7th of September.
The summit is the largest global gathering of individuals dedicated to creating positive change. This year’s edition took place in partnership with the City of Hamburg in Germany. Every year, social entrepreneurs, individuals and leaders from business, government, and philanthropy gather to explore the most pressing issues of our time and together build a society in which everyone can contribute, participate and engage in social change for the good of all.
During the Summit, Ewa Sadowska gave a presentation on Barka Foundation work and the basis of the organization which is to build fraternal, interpersonal and social relationships based on mutual help. In 1989, Barbara and Tomasz Sadowski, together with their daughters and several dozen people, created the first Community in Władysławowo, Greater Poland.
Today, after 35 years, the Barka Network consist of nine Barka Communities in Poland and foreign missions established in seven European countries (Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Canada. The Barka Network implements lots of support systems including community houses programmes, educational and reintegration programmes, social entrepreneurship development programmes and housing programmes plus support for groups in refugee crisis.
Our colleagues also attended a few workshops on exchange of best practices in the field of social work. In addition, they had an important meeting with the representatives of the Hamburg City Council. During the meeting a cooperation between Barka and City of Hamburg was discussed as Barka provides support to migrants and refugees who have not found their place on the local job markets abroad and helps them in returning to their home countries.
