Seventeenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The relationship between a successful integration policy and municipal work is important in understanding the impact of municipalities on integration policies. In cases where the central government is insufficient in the integration efforts of asylum seekers, municipalities that have closer relations with the public are thought to be important actors in integration. The war and ongoing conflict environment in Ukraine has led to the influx of millions of asylum seekers especially to Poland. In the study, where qualitative analysis method was used, in-depth interviews were conducted with experts who worked or are working with refugees in Krakow Municipality in Poland. During the interviews, it was pointed out that municipalities in Turkey do not have sufficient legal authority regarding asylum seeker integration, and it was stated that studies were carried out with limited powers in Poland. As a result of the analysis of the interviews, experts stated that a healthy and successful integration policy should be expanded, the legal legislation should be clearly determined, and especially the authorities and budgets of the municipalities should be increased. It is claimed that the integration will be successful in the long term with the mechanism by involving the central government, NGOs and the municipality, where effective integration is possible and the municipalities are included in the process.