In Italy, there are a number of formal organisations established and run by Polish immigrants and their descendants. The paper gives a brief account of the associations’ characteristics and describes how their internal factors – particularly social and cultural capital – have been primary determinants of their condition. The impact of human resources is particularly pronounced, since the Polish organisations in Italy remain largely unseen, either from the perspective of the country of origin or the country of residence, as well as relations between them. The invisibility context in which they pursue their goals and activities is discussed. Also, the ramifications of invisibility as a concept are given careful consideration. The analysis is based on the findings of a study that was conducted in the years 2016–2020 within the framework of the ‘Polish Immigrant Organisations in Europe’ research project. 

This article discusses the changing structure, characteristics, and condition of Polish Immigrant Organisations (PIOs) in the United Kingdom, from Poland’s accession to the EU (2004) until the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote (2017). It suggests that they are an important part of the rich tapestry of civil society actors dealing with migrants’ issues. It finds that the profound heterogenization of the landscape of Polish Immigrant Organisations can be attributed to a very diverse migrant community in terms of class, whose needs were not met by the hitherto existing organisations devoted to the symbolic affirmation of Polishness and in-group solidarity, chiefly along class lines. The resultant intergenerational tension between old and new migrants translated into the emergence of a new breed of migrant organisations that addressed the welfare needs of the underprivileged Polish migrants, especially on a local level, as well as their cultural belonging and social aspirations. The article is based on a 2-year multi-method study of migrant organisations across the United Kingdom that included surveys, interviews, and participant observation among civil society activists, experts, as well as civil servants.

The article presents the internal aspects of the social sub-system of non-profit and voluntary associations in France, whose members are people holding Polish and dual Polish-French citizenships as well as French people of Polish origin and who pursue the goals related to the presence of the Polish immigrant and post-immigrant communities in France. In relation with these organisations, the article provides answers to the following questions: 1) What are their decision-making structures? 2) How mobile are the members within the structures and where does the mobility stem from? 3) What is the cooperation like between the movers and shakers in a specific organisation? The conclusions have been based on data from five case studies and 48 individual in-depth interviews revolving around typologically diverse associations plus data obtained in the course of an institutional opinion poll, carried out among Polish immigrant organisations with an online CAWI questionnaire completed by members of the Polish diaspora in France.

The aim of this article is to highlight barriers and opportunities faced by Polish organizations in Ireland in promoting pro-integrationist, as opposed to isolationist, tendencies among Poles. Despite noticeable integration trends, the majority of Poles prefer to remain within their circles, creating a so-called parallel society. Poles’ respect for their cultural values may partially explain the fact that they fall into social exclusion by creating typically Polish networks inside which their lives oscillate. Currently, a critical condition for receiving funds for organizational activities is the requirement to adopt a specific profile in accordance with the demands imposed by sponsors. Consequently, the strategic role of Polish diaspora organizations is to implement programs aimed at integrating Poles into Irish society and with other minorities. Such, the role of Polish organizations will change; they are likely to employ a more cosmopolitan and integrating character, rather than isolating themselves and will need to respond to the changing needs of Poles in Ireland.

The article presents the activities of Polish immigrant organisations in the Netherlands in the context of the ethnic and cultural diversity that characterises Dutch society and the diversity of the Polish community in this country. It is based on research conducted in 2017 among Polish immigrant organisations in the Netherlands and on expert interviews. It is a case study of two organisations operating in the Dutch metropolis. These organizations differently distribute the emphasis on cultural and social activity and declare attachment to different “liberal” and “conservative” values. The research shows how Polish immigrant organisations in the Netherlands consolidate Polish environments in this country and fill the gap in activities for integrating migrants from European Union Member States

This article presents the results of a comprehensive study of Polish immigrant organizations in Spain. The analysis is based on original data collected through in-depth interviews with Polish immigrant organizations’ members, representatives of their environment, experts, and representatives of the Spanish administration. The deep economic crisis in Spain emerges as a critical juncture that reshaped the situation of the surveyed organizations. These difficulties are emphasized as the root cause of many of the issues faced by the organizations, both in terms of a decreasing Polish diaspora (and, thus, reduced numbers of members and recipients of the organization) and changes in the political structure of opportunities. At the same time, broader changes in the migration process related to globalization and regional integration are seen as crucial determinants of the changing character of their activities.

Although an organization is usually defined as a group of people working towards achieving common goals within a specific structure, the functioning of the organization is not free from tensions, disputes or conflicts. This article focuses on the conflict dimension of organized human groups in a specific context – in migratory conditions. It presents the results of research carried out using a case study strategy among Polish immigrant organizations in Sweden. It reconstructs and explains the specificity of tensions and disputes occurring in the Polish organizational field: both within the Polish immigrant organizations, between them, and between organizations and their social and institutional environment.

The article aims to investigate the cooperation patterns characteristic of Polish immigrant organisations in Germany. A situation analysis suggests a relatively broad collaborative network, with more than 100 Polish immigrant organisations in existence. However, the practice of the organisations’ functioning shows that, in fact, PIOs often function in a kind of organisational vacuum. They cannot nor do not want to cooperate with a large group of potential partners. In the article, we will also try to justify this state of affairs and find the barriers that limit the possibilities of cooperation of Polish immigrant organisations in Germany.