The Chancellery of the Prime Minister informs about the contest “Assistance to the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad” on its website. Similar calls for proposals announced by the Government Plenipotentiary for the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad are held periodically. You can get funds here for developing the structures of Polish community organizations around the world, Polish community media, organizing cultural events and building a good image of Poland abroad.

This time, a new point has been added to the aforementioned areas: “Poland’s support for obtaining war reparations from Poland”. As we read in the rules of the competition, this support is intended to “intensify activities to obtain war compensation from Germany for the period of the Second World War 1939 – 1945. The aim should be to support the diaspora in taking initiatives to promote historical truth in the field of German crimes against Polish citizens.” The word “reparations” is never mentioned in the regulations.

“Polarization of Poland”

Poland wishes to allocate 5 million PLN for this purpose. They are to be issued for awareness campaigns, publications or expert articles. There was an outcry among Polish diaspora organizations in Germany.

– I completely distance myself from this idea – comments Wiesław Lewicki, President of the Convention of Polish Organizations in Germany, in an interview with DW. – If there are such premises to seek war compensation, the Polish state must do so by legal means and not use the Polish community abroad for this purpose.

According to Lewicki, the advertised competition “tests Poles living abroad”, which in turn can harm the Polish community itself.

“This subject is very polarizing. Some will be in favor of joining such a campaign, others will be against – he says. – In addition, all the organizations have their activity statutes. We have written there cultural, social and integration objectives, not involvement in political affairs.

ZPN praises

Józef Malinowski, president of the Association of Poles in Germany (ZPN), an organization celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, disagrees. The union had a difficult history during the Nazi era, including persecution of activists, confiscation of assets including banking and real estate assets. Eventually, ZPN was banned by the authorities of the Third Reich. Some members were shot, others were sent to concentration camps. The union could resume its activities only after the end of the war.

– It’s a very good step – says DW Józef Malinowski. Historical truth is very little known or forgotten in Germany. When talking about the victims of the Second World War, the Poles who lost their lives or suffered during the German occupation are often forgotten.

The Polish House in Bochum, which before the war belonged to the Union of Poles in Germany

According to Józef Malinowski, the issue of compensation is still relevant. However, he considers obtaining compensation to be a lengthy process.

– Every politician in Germany, regardless of party, denies Polish claims – says the ZPN leader. – I am glad that we have seen the publication of the report on Poland’s war losses and that it also includes the desire to recover the property confiscated from us before the war. It must be remembered that not everything is settled.

Needs are different

Marzena Nowak of the Polish Women’s Association Berlin, which supports Polish women and families living in the German capital, admits her organization is not involved in politics. The sum of 5 million PLN, which Poland wants to allocate to the initiatives of the Polish community in the field of obtaining war reparations, makes a strong impression on her.

“There are more urgent needs, such as psychological support for families who have been coming to Germany with their husband or partner for several years and who cannot find their way around,” explains Marzena Nowak. – I once told the Polish consul that if these people are not helped in emigration, they will come back to the country as “wrecks” and will have to be helped in Poland.

The high demand for this type of help is evidenced by the huge interest in the Polish language helpline, where psychologists are on call for two hours a week. They could do more homework, but there is no money for it. The Association of Polish Women in Berlin recently started a fundraiser for the so-called “Dom Polski” (contractual name), where, among other things, various types of training, workshops or advice, and which would also a place for other initiatives that do not currently have permanent headquarters.

Marzena Nowak draws attention to another problem.

– Participation in this type of politically motivated campaign can harm associations of the Polish diaspora when applying for funding from the German side in the future – admits the head of Polish women in Berlin. – Politicians will change one day, and we will continue to live here. It cannot be forgotten.

“Reconciliation cannot be bought”

Kamila Schoell-Mazurek of the Polish Social Council in Berlin has similar thoughts. She admits that the information about the 5 million PLN to support obtaining compensation shocked and disappointed her.

– At one point, the Polish government said that there was not much money for the Polish diaspora, then the funds for psychological support were cut. And we know how many Poles abroad need such help – says Schoell-Mazurek. – These 5 million PLN are a very important sum, it could help us to develop our structures and the potential of the Polish community.

According to a representative of the Polish Social Council, the demands put forward by Poland are not of primary importance for the average representative of the Polish community.

– I think this is an attempt to rework history with taxpayers’ money. Methods that don’t work. Because we cannot buy agreement or reconciliation for 5 or 100 million zlotys taken from the German minority, as long as we do not sit down to eat together, believes Kamila Schoell-Mazurek. – Therefore, I ask that at least part of these funds be transferred to the psychological and social assistance of Poles abroad, which will help to solve real problems.