Established in 1989, Barka addresses the needs of vulnerable individuals and families. In 2003, it started to lobby for new legal solutions based on its programmes. As a result, four new laws were introduced changing the prevailing system of social support in Poland. It undertakes grassroots initiatives and builds public-private partnerships to help the social and economic integration of the weakest groups. Barka has been invited to work with African and Latin American communities on building social economy projects and partnerships.