This publication deals with the social, cultural, economic and subjectively perceived living conditions of the German minority in the border region of Opole Voivodeship within the dominant Polish culture. Based on quantitative sociological studies, the authors show the importance of value for group cohesion and emphasise how multi-layered and complex the identity and awareness of group potential in the region are. Therefore, the focus of the presented studies is on three detailed research problems: the current function of the German minority, the question of national or regional identity and the perception of the minority by its members as a value.