Polish pilot - the concept of gamification of deliberative processes and involvement of partners in the project

The starting point for the methodological basis of the deliberative process itself in the Polish pilot was the use of the concept of game and play. Game and play serve to create a new framework for deliberation and can be used in participatory social interventions. The distinction between the two takes into account different procedural aspects and influences the outcome (Przybylska, Bucholc, Mazur 2022). The first - the game method - involves building on existing knowledge of the problem and choosing between alternative solutions. The second - the play method - is more open-ended and exploratory at the point of entry. Both have certain advantages and disadvantages that outweigh each other depending on the problem and context.

We used a process framework to conduct a deliberative process focused on the needs and situation, particularly with regard to the public institutions, of the Ukrainian refugee community who arrived after the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. National and local authorities were not prepared for such a situation. Procedures and resources were not fully adapted to the wave of needs and changes that had to take place in the new social reality. We wanted to invite refugees to a participatory process of reflection on improving the procedures that affect their situation.

First, we reviewed academic literature and NGO reports on the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Poland. In the next step of the project, we invited public institutions and non-governmental organizations from Przemyśl and Warsaw, that are involved in assistance activities towards Ukrainian refugee communities, to reflect on current institutional and legal constraints for this group. We then created a survey on the most important topics related to the challenges faced institutionally by people with refugee status from Ukraine. The organizations and institutions that participated in our meetings supported us in conducting the survey among aid organizations across Poland. 

From the beginning of the project, we knew that a group of 28 people from two Ukrainian communities - in Przemyśl and in Warsaw - would participate. Therefore, we knew that we would want to cooperate on our activities with organizations or institutions that could help our activities in these two cities. For this reason, we established permanent cooperation with the Union of Ukrainians in Poland and the Warsaw Center for Family Assistance, which, respectively, carry out assistance activities from the position of a non-governmental organization and a municipal institution. We also received support from the city hall in Przemyśl. At a later stage, the Game Changers Academy company was included in the project, which helped create a framework of games and activities for the group participating in the process.

We would like to thank Warsaw Family Assistance Center, Union of Ukrainians in Poland Przemyśl Branch, Open House Initiative Foundation, Migration Consortium/Save the Children, Towards Dialogue Foundation, Feminoteka Foundation, Polish Migration Forum Foundation for providing their perspectives on the most important problems of people fleeing war in Ukraine.