of the Polish-AmericAn freedom foundAtion

Transkrypt

10 years of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation
Education
Development of Local
Communities
Citizen in a Democratic
State of Law
Sharing the Polish
Experiences in
Transformation
may 2010
Contents
4
L e t t e r f r o m t h e PA F F
Leadership
6
H i s t o r y o f t h e F o u n d at i o n
1 0 Calendar
1 4 Th e F o u n d at i o n ’s
objectives
1 5 Th e F o u n d at i o n ’s p r o g r a m s
and their managers
1 6 10 year s in figures
20 F i n a n c i a l d ata
22 E d u c at i o n
3 0 Development of local
communities
3 8 C i t i z e n i n a d e m o c r at i c
s tat e o f l aw
4 2 Sharing the Polish
Experiences in
Tr a n s f o r m at i o n
4 6 Board of Director s
4 7 M a n a g e m e n t, s ta f f
a n d a s s o c i at e s
10 years of the Polish-American
Freedom Foundation
The seat of the Representative Office in Poland of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation
Letter from the PAFF
Leadership
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
Ten years ago, the Polish-American Freedom Foundation
began its program activity. The Foundation was established
by the Polish-American Enterprise Fund organized twenty
years ago, following the Support for the East European
Democracy Act passed by the US Congress in 1989. During the 1990s, the Enterprise Fund actively supported the
development of a market economy in Poland. After that
John P. Birkelund
Chairman of the Board
of Directors
time, $120 million was returned to the US Government
from the Fund’s original capital of $240 million and the
balance—$250 million—was transferred in subsequent
years to the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.
The Foundation, which is governed by a fully independent and dedicated Board of Directors,
launched its operations in 2000 with a double mission: to help consolidate the results of
the Polish transformation nationally and to share the Polish experience with other post-communist countries in the region.
The Foundation’s programs in Poland are focused on rural areas and small towns. Two
issues dominate: leveling the playing field in education, combined with its modernization,
as well as unleashing and supporting citizens’ potential in local communities.
During the past 10 years, the Polish-American Freedom Foundation has disbursed nearly
$90 million, including more than 18,000 university scholarships, 6,000 local projects with the
participation of hundreds of thousands of people, training for 17,000 leaders and employees
of non-governmental organizations, courses for 34,000 teachers, the organization of “Study
Tours to Poland” with over 3,000 participants from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Georgia,
Moldova and other countries. In the last two years, PAFF has engaged in a partnership with
the largest non-governmental grant-giving institution in the world: the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation. As a result, more than 3,000 public libraries in Polish villages will be
transformed into modern centers of information, education, culture and civic activity.
President and Chief
We are delighted that PAFF’s achievements to date provide a sound basis for marking the
10th anniversary of the Foundation as well as for further development of its initiatives.
Executive Officer
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who have worked with us and
have provided the Foundation with their valuable advice and support. We continue to
recognize our deep debt of gratitude to the Polish-American Enterprise Fund, without
whose enormous success none of PAFF’s accomplishments would have been possible. We
wish to thank most warmly the civic leaders, non-governmental organizations and other
institutions engaged in PAFF programs. We are grateful that PAFF has found in you friendly,
creative and cooperative partners. Because of you, we close our first ten years with a sense
of satisfaction, looking forward to the future to continue serving Poland in the spirit of
our common Polish-American interests and values.
John P. Birkelund
Chairman of the Board of Directors
4 | Polish-American Freedom Foundation
Jerzy Koźmiński
Jerzy Koźmiński
President and Chief Executive Officer
Polish-American Freedom Foundation | 5
History of the
Foundation
At the beginning of 2000, the Representative Office of a newly-established
Polish-American Freedom Foundation was opened in Warsaw. Its founder
was the Polish-American Enterprise Fund, organized ten years earlier to
support the market economy in Poland. In March 2000 the Foundation’s
Board of Directors adopted a Mission Statement which outlined the main
directions of the Foundation’s activity. A month later the first programs
were announced.
In July 1989 President George H. W. Bush addressed Parliament of
the Republic of Poland and announced the USA’s active participation in the construction of a market economy in Poland through,
among other things, creation of the Polish-American Enterprise
Fund. In May 1990 the Fund began its activity. John P. Birkelund
was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Robert G.
Faris became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund.
By investing in over 50 ventures, the Fund developed many companies and other institutions which today play an important role
in the Polish economy. Loan programs initiated by the Fund for
small and medium-sized enterprises embraced almost one hundred
thousand entrepreneurs. With the Fund’s assistance five banks were
established, including the first financial institution in Poland to offer
mortgage loans. In 1992, on the Fund’s initiative, the Enterprise
Investors group was established to manage its investments from
that time on. Currently EI is the largest private equity fund in the
region. In 1999 President Aleksander Kwaśniewski awarded the
Enterprise Fund the Special Economic Award “for its significant ↑ Ambassador Nicholas A. Rey
receiving the award for the Polish-American Enterprise Fund
contribution to the development of the Polish economy”.
from President Aleksander Kwaśniewski.
As a result of a prudent but assertive investment activity the Fund’s
initial capital, $240 million, was increased by over 50%. In 2001 half
of the original grant, $120 million, was returned to the government
of the USA—the first such example in the history of American foreign aid. With the agreement of the US Congress and in accord with
the government of the Republic of Poland, there began a gradual
transfer of the remaining funds to the Polish-American Freedom
Foundation, which had been established by the Fund. John P.
Birkelund became Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Board also included Marek Belka, Joseph C. Bell, Michał
Boni, Zbigniew Brzeziński, Colin G. Campbell, John H. D’Arms,
Robert G. Faris, Daniel Fried, Aleksander Koj, Jerzy Koźmiński,
Krzysztof Pawłowski and Nicholas A. Rey. The position of the
Foundation’s President and Chief Executive Officer was taken by
Jerzy Koźmiński. In subsequent years, the following persons have
also become members of the Board: Anna Fornalczyk, Frederick
M. Bohen, Geoffrey Hoguet and Andrew Nagorski.
↑
The grant agreement
between the Polish-American
Freedom Foundation and the Polish-American Enterprise Fund.
The decision TO ESTABLISH
the Representative Office
→
of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation,
signed by Foreign Minister Bronisław Geremek.
history of the Foundation
This was possible thanks to a significant increase in the assets of the Foundation: in
2004, they reached the level of $211 million thanks to a further transfer of funds from the
Polish‑American Enterprise Fund. At that time, the annual budget of the Foundation
exceeded $ 7 million. Wishing to maximize the effects of its activity, the Foundation
from the beginning tried to shape its programs in such a way that they could mutually
complement and strengthen each other. Great attention was also paid to making sure that
the projects supported by the Foundation had potential for replication and that the initiatives undertaken could continue to develop after the termination of financial aid from the
PAFF. Even in the earliest years almost all of the Foundation’s programs were subjected to
external professional evaluation.
In May 2000 the Polish-American Freedom Foundation initiated its first programs in
three thematic areas: education, development of local communities and sharing the Polish
experiences in transformation. At that time it spent about $2 million on those undertakings. A year later, the Foundation had 18 programs, most of which were of a long-term
nature. Their implementation was based on close cooperation with experienced nongovernmental organizations. Soon a separate program area was singled out: Citizen in
a democratic state of law.
To mark the 15th anniversary of establishing the Enterprise Fund and the 5th anniversary
of the Foundation in May 2005, a conference was held in Warsaw at which US President
George W. Bush addressed a letter to the participants. In a video transmission, former
President George H. W. Bush also sent congratulations to both institutions. Guests at the
jubilee celebrations included President Lech Wałęsa and the Speaker of Parliament of the
Republic of Poland, Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz. The Board of Directors of the Foundation
was received by President Aleksander Kwaśniewski.
In 2001, when the Polish-American Enterprise Fund, the Foundation’s founder, returned to
the US budget $120 million, a ceremony was held in Washington, during which Secretary
of State Colin Powell expressed his admiration for the Fund’s achievements. He emphasized that the PAEF had achieved the greatest success among all the Enterprise Funds
established by the US in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. He hailed the birth
of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and its first undertakings.
THE Fifteenth anniversary
of the Fund and the fifth anniversary
↑
of the Foundation in May 2005.
In 2008 the Polish-American Freedom Foundation became a partner of the largest non‑
-governmental grant-giving institution in the world—the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. After a year of preparations, in March 2009, both organizations signed a grant agreement enabling the implementation of the “Library Development Program”. Thanks to this
broad-ranging undertaking, over 3,000 Polish libraries, mainly rural, will be transformed
into modern centers of information, education, culture and civic activity with free access
to the Internet. The organization implementing this program is the Information Society
Development Foundation, established by the PAFF in 2008. The Freedom Foundation has
also participated in the establishment of other institutions, including the Unit for Social
Innovation and Research “Shipyard” Foundation, which was founded in 2009. Within
the framework of particular PAFF programs, many initiatives have been institutionalized,
including some 120 local non-governmental organizations established through the “Equal
Opportunities” Program.
In 2002 the Foundation, in cooperation with other institutions, initiated the “Bridge
Scholarships Program”—one of Poland’s largest non-governmental scholarship programs
for young people, which in time became a wider system of support embracing all years of
studying and in 2008 it was further broadened to include doctoral scholarships. A year later,
the Foundation supported the process of integrating Poland and the European Union by
initiating the “EURO-NGO” Program, which was to help non-governmental organizations
acquire EU funds. Thanks to this, local organizations obtained at least € 40 million in the
three following years. At the same time, the Foundation broadened other initiatives aimed
at supporting Polish NGOs and, in so doing, thousands of valuable civic initiatives.
The meeting between
US Secretary of State,
Colin Powell, and representatives
←
of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation
and the Polish-American Enterprise Fund
in Washington in November 2001.
The Foundation’s activities were recognized by the International Economic Forum in
Krynica, where it received the Award for Eastern and Central European Non-governmental
Organization for 2008, mainly for PAFF’s undertakings beyond Poland. Among these, the
Foundation gave the most funding to the “Region in Transition (RITA)” Program, which
involves the transfer of Polish experiences and the development of relations between Polish
civic organizations, local government authorities and other institutions and partners in
the East.
In the ten years of its existence, the Foundation has spent almost $90 million on its activi- ↑ President Aleksander
ties and the assets of the endowment exceed $250 million. Thirty programs have been Kwaśniewski with the Foundation’s
implemented and within their frameworks over 6,000 local projects have been financed and Board of Directors in May 2005.
18,000 grants awarded. The Foundation is constantly developing and it wishes to remain
open and flexible, to react to changing needs and conditions and to find new partners
among non-governmental institutions, local governments, schools, enterprises and banks
as well as to ensure that its activities embrace ever wider social circles, particularly in rural
areas and small towns. It supports and undertakes initiatives which will lead to Poland’s
becoming a more modern and affluent country whose citizens, irrespective of their place
of residence and status, can fulfill their life’s aspirations.
Calendar
October
1999
Establishing of the Polish-American Free  dom Foundation. John P. Birkelund assumes the post of Chairman
of the Board of Directors. The Polish-American Enterprise Fund
transfers $40 million to the Foundation’s endowment.
January
2000
Opening of the Representative Office of
 the Foundation in Warsaw. The agreement to establish it is given
by Minister of the Foreign Affairs Bronisław Geremek.
March
2000
June
2003  In a referendum, Poles decide that Poland
should join the European Union. The Foundation initiates the
“EURO-NGO Program”, which is to help prepare Polish non-governmental organizations to make use of EU funds.
January
2004
The Foundation’s Board of Directors defines
 the main program areas for the Foundation, which are: initiatives
in education, development of local communities and sharing the
Polish experiences in transformation.
Assets of the Foundation’s endowment
 exceed $200 million thanks to a further transfer from the PolishAmerican Enterprise Fund.
2000  Inauguration of the Foundation’s first five
February
Within the framework of the “Region in
 Transition (RITA)” Program, the “Study Tours to Poland” venture
has been initiated, in which participants are several hundred representatives from various milieus and professional groups, mainly
from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Georgia.
May
programs.
July
2001  Assets of the Foundation’s endowment exceed
$100 million thanks to another transfer from the Polish-American
Enterprise Fund.
November
2001
Representatives of the Foundation and
 the Polish-American Enterprise Fund are received by US Secretary
of State Colin Powell.
May
2002
Initiation of the “Bridge Scholarships Program”
 for talented young people from rural areas and small towns, including the families of former state farm workers. Since the beginning
of the Program, the coalition of various institutions financing it has
awarded over 10,000 grants for the first year of studies. President
of the National Bank of Poland, Leszek Balcerowicz, congratulates
some of the outstanding scholarship holders.
2002
July
Conclusion of the second edition of the
 “Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program” with the participation of Irene
Kirkland and Speaker of Parliament, Marek Borowski.
2004
May
2004
Prime Minister Marek Belka is a guest of the
 third edition of the “Act Locally” Program.
September
2004
Interklasa.pl is the best Polish edu  cational portal according to the fortnightly magazine “Komputer
Świat” (“Computer World”).
January
$10 million.
May
2005  The Foundation’s annual budget exceeds
2005
The fifteenth anniversary of the Polish-American
 Enterprise Fund and the fifth anniversary of the Foundation. Among
the guests are President Lech Wałęsa and Speaker of Parliament
Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz. The Foundation’s Board of Directors
is received by President Aleksander Kwaśniewski. President of the
Fund and Member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Robert
G. Faris, gives a speech at the conference.
Calendar
October
March
2006
The end of the “Transparent Poland” Pro  gram which promoted high standards in the functioning of local
governments and cooperation between citizens and local authorities.
Certificates were given to 403 local authorities by representatives
of the organizations which conducted the Program.
July
2007
Two former Prime Ministers—Jerzy Buzek
 and Marek Belka—conduct activities for schoolchildren within
the “Student Volunteers” Program.
2008
The International Economic Forum in
 Krynica gives the Foundation the Award for Central and Eastern
European Non-governmental Organization of 2008 for its programs
of cooperation with countries in the region.
November
2008
February
2009
George Zamka, an American astronaut
 of Polish origin, visits Poland at the invitation of the Foundation
and the US Embassy in Warsaw. He meets with schoolchildren
participating in the Foundation’s educational programs.
The Foundation co-founds the Unit for
 Social Innovation and Research “Shipyard” Foundation, which is,
among other tasks, to effectively combine the theory and practice
of social activities.
March
2009  The Freedom Foundation signs an agree-
ment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for implementation of the “Library Development Program” in Poland.
May
2009
July
2009
The endowment of the Foundation has an
 increased value of $ 250 million thanks to another transfer from
the Polish-American Enterprise Fund.
March
2008  The Polish-American Freedom Foundation
establishes the Information Society Development Foundation
which is to implement the “Library Development Program”.
June
2008  The agreement on cooperation between the
October
2009  Inauguration of the Teachers’ Internet
Foundation and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
for the development and modernization of public libraries, signed
by Minister Bogdan Zdrojewski and the Foundation’s President,
Jerzy Koźmiński.
Academy with the participation of the Minister of National Education, Katarzyna Hall.
2008  First visit to the USA by a group of
Foundation has spent almost $90 million on
September
graduates and participants of the “PAFF Leaders” Program.
The first group of teachers participating in
 the “English Teaching” Program takes part in a training program
entitled “TESOL Summer Institute”, organized by Gonzaga University in the USA.
January
2010  In the past ten years, the
implementation of its programs.
The Foundation’s
objectives
In March 2000 the Board of Directors of the Polish-American Freedom
Foundation adopted its Mission Statement. It also defined the method
of functioning of the Foundation, the main areas of program activities as
The Foundation’s PROGRAMS and their managers:
PROGRAM
Program Manager
Implemented in years:
The Polish Educational Portal Interkl@sa
The Foundation for Economic Education
The Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center
The Computer for a Teacher
The National Foundation for Computer Literacy
2000–2003
English Teaching
The Polish Children and Youth Foundation
The “NIDA” Development Foundation
2000–2001
since 2002
The Training for Health Care Managers
Society for Health Care Managers
2000–2006
2000–2008
since 2008
The Learning Schools
The Center for Citizenship Education Foundation
since 2000
Equal Opportunities
The Polish Children and Youth Foundation
since 2001
Computer Long Distance Training
The National Foundation for Computer Literacy
2002–2004
Bridge Scholarships
Educational Enterprise Foundation
since 2002
Student Volunteers
The Association “Voluntary Center”
The Polish Association of Pedagogues and Animators KLANZA
2003–2005
since 2005
Entrepreneurship Education
Junior Achievement Foundation
since 2005
The Foundation began its activities with a dual mission:
For Children
Comenius Foundation for Child Development
since 2005
Third Age Universities
The Jagiellonian University Foundation
The Association of the Creative Initiatives “ę”
2005–2008
since 2008
�
Management Education
Educational Enterprise Foundation
2000–2003
The Mutual Information Society
The Klon/Jawor Society
2000–2006
EURO-NGO
The Network of Support for NGOs “SPLOT”
The Association of Forum for Non-governmental Initiatives
2004–2006
2006–2007
Financial Management for NGOs (FIM@NGO)
The Civil Society Development Foundation
2005–2006
Support for NGOs:
TWI/FIM@NGO/EURO-NGO
The Klon/Jawor Society and the Association of Forum for Nongovernmental Initiatives
Civil Society Development Foundation
The Szpitalna NGO Center
The National Federation of Polish NGOs
since 2007
The Foundation addresses its first objective mainly through programs:
Act Locally
The Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland
since 2000
Undoing Unemployment
�
The Enterprise Development Foundation in Suwałki
The Foundation for Social and Economic Initiatives
2003–2006
Work in Poland
well as the social groups to whom it would primarily address its initiatives.
�
�
Supporting the process of consolidating the Polish transformation
launched in 1989—strengthening the civic society, democracy and
the market economy;
Sharing the Polish experiences in transformation with other countries
in Central and Eastern Europe.
equalizing educational opportunities, combined with the modernization of education;
supporting civic activity, particularly in rural areas and small towns,
that help develop local communities.
Village in Transition (VITA)
The Village in Transition
—Developing Information Society (e-VITA)
The Citizen and Local Government
since 2007
2000–2003
Rural Development Foundation
since 2004
The Foundation in Support of Local Democracy
2002–2004
The Pro Publico Bono Competition
The “Pro Publico Bono” Competition Foundation
since 2002
PAFF Leaders
The School for Leaders Association
since 2005
Library Development Program
Information Society Development Foundation
since 2008
PAFF Local Partnerships
Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland
since 2009
The Foundation’s programs are managed by cooperating with non-
Citizen and Law
The Institute of Public Affairs
since 2001
Supporting Legal Reforms: Computer Training
Foundation Center for Judges Training “Iustitia”
2001–2005
-governmental organizations while decisions about offering grants and
The Transparent Community Action
scholarships within the framework of particular programs are taken by
commissions of experts appointed by the Foundation.
Transparent Poland
The Foundation in Support of Local Democracy
2004–2006
2005–2008
The Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program
The Center for East European Studies of Warsaw University
Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission
2000–2001
since 2001
Region in Transition (RITA)
The Education for Democracy Foundation
The College of Eastern Europe (“Study Tours to Poland”)
since 2000
since 2007
10 years in figures
Program areas | Status in January 2010
23 % We share
the Polish experiences
in transformation
LOCAL PROJECTS FINANCED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF the FOUNDATION’S PROGRAMS | Status in January 2010
48 % Initiatives
More than
in education
6 000
4%
citizen
in a democratic
state of law
loc al projec ts
25 % development
of local communities
Number of projects in each Voivodeship
Forms of support | Status in January 2010
Up to 100 projects
251–400 projects
101–150 projects
401–475 projects
151–250 projects
Over 475 projects
Also , in the years 2000–2010:
24 % Scholarship
programs
23 % Grants‑giving
programs
— small grants
13 % Training
programs
26 % Grants‑giving
programs
— larger grants
14 % Operational
programs
34 000
teachers participated in training sessions
financed by the Foundation
5 400
schools in Poland benefited directly
from the Foundation’s programs
17 000
leaders and employees of non-governmental organizations were
included in training sessions within the framework of the Foundation’s programs
10 years in figures
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF the FOUNDATION’S PROGRAMS | Status in January 2010
International cooperation
18 000
Lithuania
Russia
Poland
Belarus
Schol arships
Ukraine
Moldova
Georgia
Armenia
Including
10 000
“Kirkland Program” scholarship holders:
bridge scholarships for the first year of studies
The Bridge Scholarships Program, initiated in 2002, is a joint undertaking between the National Bank of Poland, the PZU Foundation, the
BRE Bank Foundation, the Jan Kanty Steczkowski BGK Foundation, the Agricultural Property Agency, the Orange Foundation, the Rural
Development Foundation and the Training and Competence Academy. It also includes a coalition of 81 local non-governmental organizations which cooperate with the Stefan Batory Foundation and the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland and which
joined the Program within the framework of the “Diploma of Dreams” action. The Polish-American Freedom Foundation finances about
50% of the scholarships and covers the Program’s organizational costs. The Program is managed by the Educational Enterprise Foundation.
“Region in Transition” (RITA):
425
632
3 200
“Study Tours to Poland”: about
Azerbaijan
people
projects
participants
Financial data
External financial means obtained for the Foundation’s programs | In the years 2000–2010
ENDOWMENT—income and expenditure | Status in January 2010
gg
Capital transferred from the Polish-American Enterprise Fund (endowment):
gg
Income from the endowment:
gg
Expenditure on the realization of the Foundation’s program aims:
$ 95.5
million
$ $ 250.5
88.6
million
30
$ million
—The Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation’s grant for the
Library Development Program*
million
The Foundation’s activities—expenditure 2000–2010 | $ in million | Status in January 2010
In the data presented no account has been taken of the PLN/USD currency exchange fluctuations
33
About $ million
— European Union funds
obtained by the Foundation’s
Program Managers since
2005 for undertakings
broadening the scope of
PAFF programs and/or those
converging with them
28
About $ million
—Domestic funds obtained
for other PAFF programs
* E xpenditure incurred to date on the Library Development Program: $ 6.4 million
2.5
4.7
5.4
6.1
2000
2001
2002
2003
In ten years, the Foundation has spent nearly
7.6 10.2 10.5 12.1 14.1 13.2 13.4
2004
$ 90
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
(forecast)
million on its program activity.
Education
ff Polish Educational Portal Interkl@sa
ff The Computer for a Teacher (program completed)
ff Computer Long Distance Training (program completed)
ff English Teaching
ff Equal Opportunities
ff The Training for Health Care Managers (program completed)
ff Learning Schools
ff For Children
ff Student Volunteers
ff Bridge Scholarships
ff Entrepreneurship Education
ff Third Age Universities
Areas of activity
gg Rural areas
gg Small towns
Addressees
gg Schools
gg Pupils and students
gg Teachers
gg Senior citizens
gg Libraries
gg Non-governmental
organizations
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Scholarships
gg Training
gg Information activity
gg Counseling
Partners and cooperation
gg Non-governmental
organizations
gg Educational institutions
gg Local governments
gg Government institutions
gg The media
gg Companies
Education is one of the main areas of the Foundation’s activity. The major
objective is providing equal educational opportunities to children and
youth, combined with the aim of improving the general quality of education. The Foundation’s initiatives are primarily addressed to rural communities and small towns.
The Foundation believes that a country’s level of education to a great extent determines its prospects for development. Poland has achieved a great deal in the last twenty years, but there is still a large gap between Poland and
the more affluent societies in the world.
Children and youth from small towns and rural areas, particularly on the lands of former State Collective Farms,
have a much more difficult start in life than their contemporaries from larger cities. The Foundation wants to
create equal opportunities for these young people through the provision of scholarships, subsidies for educational
projects, training sessions, counseling and promotion of good examples. The Foundation’s programs offer additional
school lessons, develop passion and the spirit of enterprise, arouse aspirations, help learn English, enable young
people to cross the threshold of higher schools and offer support during studying. Its belief is that the location
of residency and material conditions are not an insurmountable obstacle in the realization of plans and dreams
of young people. A good education means a school that is open to change and that has good teachers who reach
for the newest materials and methods, who can inspire their pupils and cooperate with parents and extra-mural
institutions. The Foundation supports the development of competencies of teachers and heads of educational
institutions and helps schools improve the organization of work so that they can effectively teach all the children.
Equal opportunities for development also means access to computers and the Internet and the ability to make
use of them while learning. Many student volunteers participate in the Foundation’s activities by passing on
their knowledge and interests to children and by showing them good examples. Also senior citizens, students
of the Third Age Universities supported by the Foundation, are committed to working with children and young
people in their local communities. The Foundation’s educational programs, implemented in cooperation with
many partners, are varied but are united by the common aim of improving chances of a better life for people and
serving advancement of the country.
1
Polish Educational Portal
Interkl@sa
The portal serves the purpose of modernizing
2
Computer for a Teacher
3
The Program, addressed mainly to teachers in
Computer Long Distance
Training
junior-high schools in small towns and rural areas,
The aim of the Program was to improve
teachers’ knowledge and skills by promoting
an educational system and providing equal
was intended to enable the purchase of a personal
educational opportunities for pupils from
computer. The Foundation paid the interest and
free distance computer training via the Internet.
various environments. It offers a wealth of
covered the costs of the commission. In two
The Program consisted of two modules:
educational resources and multi-media teaching
editions of the Program, over 3,000 teachers
distance training via a dedicated Internet
aids, including readings, examination tests, lesson
from all over Poland took advantage of the offer.
service and daily workshops. It was directed
scenarios, thematic services. It offers access
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
to teachers from rural areas and small towns.
to e-mail, chat and forum services as well as
other services that are helpful in e-learning.
4
English Teaching
5
Equal Opportunities
6
Training for Health Care
Managers
The Program aims at promoting the English
The Program supports social initiatives fostering
language and improving the quality of its teaching
equal opportunities for children and youth from
in small towns and rural areas. The projects
rural areas and small towns. Local projects facilitate
knowledge in the field of modern management
realized include: setting up English-language
the ability to set goals independently, arouse
of medical institutions. Training centers were
clubs in schools, the provision of extra-curricular
cognitive and creative aspirations and encourage
financed, which led to an increase in the quality of
The Program was intended to raise the level of
activities by volunteers, methodology training
young people to help their own environment.
managers’ training, and people from small towns
for teachers and preparation by pupils of
At the same time the Program creates permanent
were awarded educational subsidies. Three training
theatrical performances. One of the outcomes
cooperation between those animators of initiatives
of the Program is a permanent network of
who work for equal educational opportunities.
cooperation between English language teachers.
7
Learning Schools
conferences on the subject of the quality of post-diploma training of health care managers were
organized with the participation of foreign experts.
8
For Children
9
Student Volunteers
The objective of the Program, jointly conducted
The Program aims to provide equal educational
with the Center for Citizenship Education Founda-
opportunities for children from rural areas by creat-
Within the Program, which was intended to
provide equal educational opportunities for
tion, is to improve the quality of schools’ activity
ing for them the best environment for development
children from small towns, groups of students
by introducing the principle of “the learning
by improving the quality of elementary education.
implement educational projects they prepared and
organization” into the daily practice of teachers.
Model local strategies have been developed, addi-
in this way develop knowledge, skills and interests
The Program also promotes formative assessment,
tional classes for children have been financed, spe-
of children and youth. At the same time, the
making it easier for the pupil to further develop.
cialist care has been provided and day care centers
Program promotes the idea of social responsibility
Particular emphasis is placed on schools in rural
have been established. Conferences with the partic-
and solidarity among young people as well as
areas and small towns where an ever greater role is
ipation of Polish and foreign experts have also been
enables them to fulfill their own interests.
played through cooperation with local authorities.
organized around the subject of early education.
10
Bridge Scholarships
11
Entrepreneurship Education
12
Third Age Universities
The Program enables gifted but deprived children
The Program supports initiatives aimed at
The aim of the Program is to support the
from small towns and rural areas to take up studies
stimulating and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit
education and social activation of seniors.
at the university level through scholarships for the
among junior-high and high school students,
It is for this reason that PAFF supports the
first year of studies. In successive years of studies,
particularly in small towns. Its participants learn
Third Age Universities and other organizations
scholarship aid is offered to high-achieving young
to take responsibility for decision-making, to plan
serving the elderly, which includes enabling
people within the framework of the “Top Student”
and organize their work, particularly team work,
them to share experiences during annual,
competition, corporate scholarships, the “Study
and to develop their own interests. Within the
national Polish conferences. The Foundation
Abroad” project and doctoral scholarships.
framework of the Program, the Foundation also
supports those initiatives of seniors which
The Program is a joint undertaking of various
supports the annual National Entrepreneurship
particularly serve the local community,
institutions and organizations.
Olympics for high school students.
with emphasis on children and youth.
Student Volunteers
Areas of activity
gg Rural areas and small towns
Addressees
gg Schools
gg Pupils
gg Students
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Training
gg Schools
gg NGOs
gg Companies
gg The media
“Vacation is a time when interesting educational projects within the ‘Student Volunteers’ Program are not limited
to students. In 2007, at the invitation of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and The Polish Association
of Pedagogues and Animators KLANZA, two former Prime Ministers, Jerzy Buzek and Marek Belka participated
as volunteers.
Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, during his journey around Poland, explained the idea of the Program and supported
it by saying that there was a time when people had to fight for Poland but now it is the time to work for Poland.
He himself was an example of this kind of approach—he devoted several days of his vacation to work for the
good of children and young people. At a meeting with members of ‘Klanza’ and journalists in Lublin, he said,
‘Voluntary work is modern patriotism.’
Another politician who accepted the ‘Student Volunteers’ challenge was Prime Minister Marek Belka. For
a week, together with students, he conducted classes on the subject of the UN and problems of the contemporary world for children from small towns in the Roztocze area. Children assembled in great numbers for the
meetings with the exceptional guests who were promoting students’ voluntary work.”
paff Newsletter
Jerzy Buzek as a volunteer
Equal Opportunities
Areas of activity
Addressees
gg NGOs
gg Pupils
gg Teachers
gg Schools
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Training
gg Consultation meetings
NGOs
gg Schools
gg The media
gg
“Sopotnia Wielka is a small town in the Śląskie Voivodeship but astronomy buffs come here from all over the
country. This is due to the work of the ‘Polaris’ Beskid Region Astronomy Club and the Polish-American
Freedom Foundation, which subsidized us as part of the ‘Equal Opportunities’ Program. Within the Program,
we implemented three projects: ‘Together to the stars’, ‘Universe in the countryside’ and ‘Youth Space
Station or Life in Orbit’. Where did the idea come from for an astronomy club in a small town? I was looking
for an idea which could move the imagination of young people, a way of motivating them to act. The idea
turned out to be a good one and the passing months showed that we achieved a great deal more than we had
initially thought.
In November 2008, at the invitation of the Freedom Foundation and the US Embassy, George Zamka, an
American astronaut of Polish decent and a pilot of the Discovery space-shuttle, visited us here. During his
meeting with children and youth, he told us about NASA’s space exploration plans, about the chances of a future
mission to Mars, about the new Orion space-shuttle and about daily life on an orbiting station. He convinced us
that it is worth having dreams, being persistent and hard-working—then you can fulfill even the boldest plans.”
Piotr Nawalkowski , head of the “Polaris” Club, a participant in the “Equal Opportunities” Program
George Zamka
BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Areas of activity
Addressees
gg Pupils
gg Students
Types of support
gg Scholarships
gg Traineeships
gg Non-governmental
organizations
gg State institutions
gg Companies, banks
gg The media
“I come from Byczyna, a small town in the Opolskie Voivodeship. In 2003 I received a scholarship for the first
year of my studies as part of the Bridge Scholarships Program. That enabled me to fulfill my dream—to take
up studies in International Relations at Wroclaw University of Economics. I was able to focus on studying and
broadening my knowledge of European monetary integration, which was where my interests were concentrated.
Because of my high grade-point average, I won a 2nd edition of the ‘Top Student’ Competition and was awarded
a second-year scholarship by the Foundation. Furthermore, thanks to the Program’s support, I took part in an
internship at the National Bank of Poland’s Eurozone Integration Bureau in Warsaw. The experience I gained
there during my work experience was very useful when I was writing my Master’s thesis, for which I obtained the
highest grade for the MA course. Having graduated, I found myself at a crossroads as to where to go from there.
The Foundation once again helped me with my decision when they awarded me a doctoral scholarship. Thanks to
this, I am continuing my studies at the University of Wroclaw. I believe that the world belongs to those with the
courage to dream and to take the risk to make those dreams come true. I would like to help young people who
are facing difficult life choices and to support them so that they can have the courage to make good decisions.”
Agnieszka Dybizbańska , Scholarship holder
Agnieszka Dybizbańska
Learning Schools
Areas of activity
Addressees
gg Schools
gg Teachers
Types of support
gg Training
gg Consultation meetings
Non-governmental
organizations
gg The media
gg
“We were an ordinary village school. Our pupils had poor results. We were wondering how we could help them
and then found the solution. We began our adventure with the “Learning Schools” Program in 2007. In the
course of two years, we greatly improved our results and now even pupils from outside our area want to find
a place in our school. Furthermore, eighty percent of our pupils think that formative assessment helps them
to learn. The parents also came around to the idea of the Program when the children started bringing home
sheets with the lesson goals provided and “nacobezu” (A made-up Polish word signifying “To what should I pay
attention?”). Parents became convinced of the formative assessment thanks to open lessons. At first, they were
surprised. “What is ‘nacobezu’? What’s it all for?” they asked. “Nacobezu” or “To what should I pay attention?”
is simply a set of clearly defined criteria for assessment, showing what the teacher is going to test and assess and
what the lesson is going to be about. What also works extremely well is mutual assessment by classmates. I used
to give pupils tests which they would mark for one another. Their classmate’s assessment had a greater value for
them than mine. And it provided a greater motivation for learning! Formative assessment works so well in my
school because I found allies among my fellow teachers. That was very important to me.”
Marzenna Dąbrowska , Deputy director of the school in Łęg Probostwo
Marzenna Dąbrowska
which participates in the “Learning Schools” Program
Development of local
communities
ff Act Locally
ff Village in Transition (VITA)
ff Village in Transition—Developing Information Society (e-VITA)
ff The Citizen and Local Government (program completed)
ff PAFF Local Partnerships
ff PAFF Leaders
ff Library Development Program
ff Support for ngos: TWI / FIM@NGO / EURO-NGO
ff Undoing Unemployment (program completed)
ff Work in Poland
ff The Pro Publico Bono Competition
Areas of activity
gg Rural areas
gg Small towns
Addressees
gg Non-governmental
organizations
gg Informal groups
gg Schools
gg Cultural centers
gg Libraries
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Training
gg Counseling
gg Non-governmental
organizations
gg Schools
gg Companies
gg The media
From the beginning of its activity, the Foundation has been committed to
supporting local communities, particularly in rural areas and small towns.
From the residents’ attitudes, willingness and ability to cooperate comes
the possibility of solving local problems and changing their lives for the
better. This then helps modernize and develop the whole country. That
is why the Foundation pays particular attention to those initiatives which
build and strengthen social capital since it is that level which affects, to
a great extent, the development possibilities of both smaller and greater
communities of citizens.
The Foundation’s programs are above all intended to help those communities which could not earlier take sufficient advantage of the transformation. Through subsidies, the promotion of good examples and the counseling
and training directed to non-governmental organizations, informal groups and local governments, the Foundation tries to arouse and support grassroots’ initiatives serving the local community—in the spheres of education,
culture, economic activity, combating unemployment, health care and social aid. It also helps improve relations
and the development of cooperation between the residents, local authorities and local organizations. This serves
the purpose of broadening, year after year, the network of the co-activity of local partners working for the common good. Non-governmental organizations have at their disposal great experience and potential in building
social capital and developing local communities, just as in many other fields on which further modernization of
the country depends. Hence, the permanent commitment of the Foundation to strengthening non-governmental
organizations, including the infrastructure of the “third sector”.
Modernization also includes the creation of an information society—one of the Foundation’s aims. Thanks to
cooperation of PAFF with the largest grant-giving institution in the world—the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—a program has been initiated in Poland whose aim is to transform libraries in small towns into modern,
multi-functional centers of civic activity with free access to computers and the Internet. The Foundation’s other
activities also serve to promote the ability to take advantage of information technologies in local communities.
1
Act Locally
2
Village in Transition (VITA)
The objective is to support civil initiatives that help
The Program was intended to stimulate grassroots
solve local problems and stimulate the development
initiatives among rural communities with low
3
Village in Transition
—Developing Information
Society (e-VITA)
of communities in rural areas and small towns.
activity and also to launch a regular exchange
Within the Program, cultural and educational
of information and experiences between
information and communication technologies
projects have been funded as well as those
non-governmental organizations and local
(ICT) in the social and economic development
including tourism, entrepreneurship, combating
leaders working for the benefit of villages.
of rural areas and prepares local communities
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
The Program promotes practical application of
unemployment, improvement in public safety and
and governments to take advantage of European
environmental protection. The network between
Union funds intended to meet their needs.
cooperating local partners is becoming ever broader.
4
The Citizen and Local
Government
5
PAFF Local Partnerships
6
PAFF Leaders
The aim is to initiate and develop cooperation
The aim of this Program is to develop the skills of
The Program, directed to non-governmental
between participants of various Foundation
the people involved in community efforts, mainly
organizations from communes with populations
programs so that they develop together
through the use of tutoring, which is based on
of up to 50,000, was intended to improve
projects that are important to larger local
long-term cooperation between a local leader and
relations between local governments and
communities. This undertaking also serves
an experienced tutor. The Program is directed
towards active participants of local projects financed
local communities and above all to create
the purpose of stimulating discussion
permanent and transparent mechanisms of
about the subject of social capital and the
by the Foundation. Leaders can also obtain grants
cooperation between the authorities and
common good, particularly at a local level.
for their own initiatives and undergo an internship
in selected non-governmental organizations.
their residents as well as organizations.
7
Library Development Program
8
Support for NGOs: TWI / FIM@NGO / EURO-NGO
PAFF is a partner of the Bill and Melinda Gates
This Program ensures institutional support for non-governmental organizations, particularly in small towns
Foundation in an initiative to facilitate access of small
and villages, leading to more effective implementation of social undertakings. It is comprised of three
town and village inhabitants to the Internet and
parallel paths. The first is the Mutual Information Society aimed at promoting the resources of, and making
computers in public libraries. Among other things
accessible, the NGO information system. The second is the Non-Governmental Academy of Finance and
the Program embraces the delivery of equipment,
Management (formerly known as FIM@NGO) which provides training, counseling and publications
training in making use of modern information
for people managing finances in non-governmental organizations. The third—EURO-NGO—conducts
technologies, creation of local coalitions supporting
information activity and expert support for non-governmental organizations, aimed at increasing their
the modernization and activation of libraries.
ability to obtain European Union funds.
The Program is managed by the Information Society
Development Foundation, established by PAFF.
9
Undoing Unemployment
10
Work in Poland
11
The Program was intended to stimulate local
The aim of this Program is to bolster competence
The Pro Publico Bono
Competition
initiatives for combating unemployment and its
and efficiency of non-governmental organizations
The “Pro Publico Bono” Competition for the
effects. It concentrated on the popularization
in the realm of services to the labor market.
Best Civil Initiative was initiated in 1999 by Prime
of the outplacement method, which was
Within its framework, it funds projects related
Minister Jerzy Buzek. The aim of the Competition
adapted to meet the needs and possibilities
to the local labor market that make use of
is to support the development of a civil society by
of Polish non-governmental organizations
modern information technologies. Research
promoting the most valuable activities undertaken
and those of their local partners.
into and analysis of the labor market take place
by non-governmental organizations in the fields of
and educational and information events are
education, culture, health care, social aid, regional
directed towards non-governmental organizations
development and European integration. The
acting on behalf of the unemployed.
PAFF has funded the prizes for the Competition.
11
Act Locally
Areas of activity
Addressees
gg NGOs
gg Informal groups
gg Schools
gg Cultural centers
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Training
gg Counseling
gg NGOs
gg Companies
gg The media
“Weakness, apathy, bitterness, lack of ideas, limiting oneself to collecting subscriptions and sometimes to organizing
a competition—this is the problem of many organizations, not just the Circles of the Polish Angling Union, with
which I am connected. We, however, stated that things could be different—all we had to do was to want this change.
To look around and not complain about climate change or the devastation wreaked by bad water management. We do
not have to be passive observers, we can change the state of things. We all remembered the times of our childhoods
when our Orlanka was a living river. The neighboring meadows teemed with birds and the river with fish. After the
new water management system, the river was imprisoned in one straight channel. Over forty years the old river bed,
became overgrown, the fish died out and the birds retreated from the dry meadows. We dreamed about restoring
the old shape to the Orlanka. We started to implement this project by building a winter shelter for fish, crabs and
frogs. The project was supported by a grant from the Foundation within the framework of the “Act Locally” Program.
Now comes the turn for the second part of the project, managing the terrain. We intend to build a spawning area and
a nesting area for birds and also to conduct outdoor educational activities in the field of environmental protection for
pupils from the local School Complex. The restoration of the natural character of the Orlanka will last for many years
to come but we are not short of enthusiasm or ideas. We are creating all this for ourselves and for future generations.”
Marek Chmielewski , participant in the “Act Locally” Program
Marek Chmielewski
PAFF LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
Areas of activity
Addressees
gg NGOs
gg Cultural centers
gg Schools
Types of support
gg Grants
gg NGOs
gg Companies
gg The media
“Nobody is so poor that he cannot give anything to others and nobody is so rich that he does not need other
people—this was the motto that guided a group of people from Gniew and Pelplin who realized the project
entitled ‘Mouthpiece—local information space’ within the ‘PAFF Local Partnerships’ Program. Our common
idea was the construction of a civil society and sharing with others what we can manage to do.
We began with training candidates to become local leaders. We taught them the art of conducting discussions,
building interpersonal relations, creating websites on the Internet, servicing graphics programs and video
cameras as well as the basics of journalism. Until this time, meetings of the inhabitants of our commune took
place traditionally—but this did not build local ties. That is why we also learned how to integrate the local
community through meetings in order to reach common goals. With this view in mind, we bought a portable
tent for a hundred people, large and heated. It serves everyone who does not have a meeting-place. Because,
if there is no common space, there is no community and people do not act together—for the common good.”
Waja Jabłonowska from the “Pokolenia” (“Generation”) Foundation
participating in the “PAFF Local Partnerships” Program
Waja Jabłonowska
PAFF LEADERS
Areas of activity
Addressees
gg Individuals
Types of support
gg Training
gg Traineeships
gg Grants
gg NGOs
“Between the small town of Pyzdry and the village of Borzykowo in the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship in 2004 we
reconstructed with our friends the old border crossing—‘Granica’, creating a place for regular international
cultural and civic events. We organize performances, happenings, film workshops, scientific conferences and
meetings for young people.
Twelve years ago, no child from a farming family in the Pyzdry commune ever thought of full-time studying.
In order to change this, in 1998, we initiated a scholarship program for talented but poor high school students
from the area. Now we have fourteen scholarship holders and one of them is finishing writing her doctoral
thesis. There are over a dozen well-educated and active people who want to change their environment—and
that is a lot in a town with three thousand inhabitants. Each of my charges has to implement some kind of an
undertaking for his own millieu. The Program brings success to individuals but it also bears fruit in benefits
for the whole community.
I am motivated by self-development and it is just such development and motivation that the ‘PAFF Leaders’
Program gave me, as well as the award given to my organization ‘Echo Pyzdr’ in the ‘Pro Publico Bono’ Competition in 2003. I constantly want to discover something and if I can help someone else to achieve something,
that is fantastic. Life becomes more beautiful then.”
Wiesława Kowalska , participant in the “PAFF Leaders” Program
Wiesława Kowalska
Village in Transition (e-vita)
Developing Information Society
Areas of activity
gg Rural areas and towns with
up to 20,000 inhabitants
Addressees
gg NGOs
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Training
gg Counseling
gg NGOs
gg Companies
“A few years ago we decided to solve a problem related to the lack of access to the Internet in the Zawady commune.
Companies from the telecommunications branch were not interested in such an investment because of low
profitability. So we had a great desire but few possibilities. Then we found out about the ‘e-VITA’ Program. We
received financial resources and technical assistance from the Foundation. We took advantage of this possibility
and after a year we had our own non-commercial radio Internet network, well trained inhabitants, points of
public access to the Internet and a strategy for informational development of the commune. At the same time
we started to create an Internet portal for the residents.
In the next edition of this Program we would like to install modern equipment in the local administration
offices, libraries, cultural centers and schools and also to train our employees. Thanks to the experiences
obtained in the ‘e-VITA’ Program, we have prepared an application for a grant from the European Union’s
Innovative Economy Operational Program entitled ‘Counteracting Digital Exclusion: e-Inclusion’. We would
like to spend these funds on training the residents of the commune to use computers and the Internet and
also on work connected with the construction of a fiber-optic network and on the purchase of 200 computers.
Thanks to the ‘e-VITA’ Program, our commune has joined the information society.”
Paweł Pogorzelski , mayor of the Zawady commune participating in the “e-VITA” Program
Paweł Pogorzelski
Citizen in a democratic
state of law
Areas of activity
gg Rural areas
gg Small towns
ff Citizen and Law
Addressees
gg Non-governmental
organizations
gg Individuals
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Training
gg Counseling
gg Non-governmental
organizations
gg Higher education institutions
gg Courts
gg Law offices
gg The media
After a year of activity, the Foundation distinguished an additional thematic
ff Transparent Poland (program completed)
ff Supporting Legal Reforms: Computer Training (program completed)
area: Citizen in a democratic state of law.
There were three underlying premises: the increasing need for support of non-governmental organizations
offering free legal and civic advice; the reforms being introduced at that time in the functioning of the judicial
administration institutions; the increased interest among citizens in ensuring transparency and professionalism in
the activities of the institutions of authority, also at a local level, which from the beginning has been particularly
important to the implementation of the Foundation’s aims.
The programs were intended to lead to improvement in the lives of local communities through activation of their
residents and to introduce high standards and streamlining in the activities of local governments. They were also
meant to help broaden the access of citizens to free information and legal advice, above all to those citizens in
difficult life and material circumstances. The aim of one of the undertakings was to support modernization of
work techniques in judicial administration, particularly in small towns.
1
Citizen and Law
2
Transparent Poland
3
Supporting Legal Reforms
—Computer Training
The aim of the Program is the development
This was an initiative for local government authori-
of social forms of civic and legal counseling
ties and local communities undertaken within the
The aim of this undertaking was to support
through supporting non-governmental
framework of a broader coalition of non-govern-
activities undertaken by judicial institutions to
organizations offering free specialist information
mental organizations and other institutions. It was
take advantage of modern computer technology
and advice as well as encouraging citizens to
intended to introduce and consolidate six principles
in self-education and access to information.
take advantage of their rights. Above all, the
of good governance in public life: transparency,
Within the Program, almost 4,000 judges and
Program ensures assistance to individuals in
zero tolerance for corruption, civic participation,
judicial administration staff took part in training
difficult financial and life circumstances but it
predictability, accountability and professionalism.
sessions. Centers for computer education
also stimulates and develops public debate and
The experiences obtained during the implementation
were either created or supported in Białystok,
expert initiatives concerning access to legal aid.
of the Program, which included the participation
Wrocław, Szczecin, Kraków, Gdańsk and Warsaw.
of over 400 communes in Poland, are promoted
These centers also served smaller centers.
1
2
3
among local governments in other countries.
Citizen and Law
Areas of activity
gg Rural areas and towns,
particularly small ones
Addressees
gg NGOs
gg Individuals
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Counseling
gg Training
gg NGOs
gg Law offices
gg Experts
gg The media
“It is difficult to manage a non-governmental organization in Poland. You have to operate in a maze of tax and
legal regulations. These are the areas in which it is difficult to cope without the help of professional legal assistance. Many organizations simply cannot afford it and expectations of them are rising—everybody wants them
to be efficient and strong and to function in a transparent manner.
For many years we have been cooperating with the legal profession. Thanks to this, we know that there is a large
group of lawyers ready to help those in need for free. We decided therefore to create a program which would ensure
that non-governmental organizations have access to free legal advice. The funds for the activity of the Pro Publico
Bono Center came from the Foundation as part of the ‘Citizen and Law’ Program. The mechanism of its activity is
straightforward—when an organization declares it has a problem, we find a law office that is able to solve it.
We cooperate with 24 law offices and together we have managed to help foundations and associations in over
one hundred matters. We also regularly organize meetings with lawyers, during which representatives of nongovernmental organizations obtain basic information connected with various areas of law.”
Julia Kluczyńska , coordinator of the Pro Publico Bono Center, a project
financed within the framework of the “Citizen and Law” Program
Julia Kluczyńska
Transparent Poland
Areas of activity
gg Rural areas and towns,
particularly small ones
Addressees
gg Local communities
Types of support
gg Counseling
gg Training
NGOs
gg Experts
gg The media
gg
“The example of the Murowana Goślina commune in the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship testifies to the fact that the
Polish local government reform was successful and if somewhere its mechanisms were not working it meant that
it was the people who were ruining them. In Murowana Goślina democracy is guaranteed by a transparent system
of management and mutual exercising of authority by the local government and the citizens.
It never happens here that someone finds work in our administration just because he or she is someone’s relative or
acquaintance. When a post becomes vacant, a competition is announced and only someone with the appropriate
qualifications can apply. Competition is very tough. An employee, even after passing the examination with the best
grade, cannot rest on his or her laurels. Once a year the employee is subjected to a 360-degree assessment. This helps
to maintain professionalism. Everyone knows very well the requirements set before him or her and everyone has to
fulfill these responsibilities. The assessment helps to find shortcomings and gives an opportunity to remedy them.
If something does not work out for employees, they are given time and we offer help to improve the situation.
Why did we participate in the ‘Transparent Poland’ Program when we had much earlier introduced many mechanisms improving the work of our local government? Because thanks to this we have become even more mobilized.
‘Transparent Poland’ became the catalyst for our activities to date and supported us methodologically—and that
is the main value of this program.”
Tomasz Łęcki, mayor of the commune Murowana Goślina, which completed the “Transparent Poland” Program
Tomasz Łęcki
Sharing the Polish
Experiences in
Transformation
ff The Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program
ff Region in Transition (RITA)
Areas of activity
gg Central and Eastern Europe
gg Central Asia
Addressees
gg Non-governmental
organizations
gg Individuals
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Scholarships
gg Traineeships
gg Training
gg Non-governmental
organizations
gg Schools and higher
education institutions
Apart from activities consolidating the effects of transformation in Poland,
the second direction in which the Foundation is engaged is the support
of democratic and free market changes in other countries in the Region,
mainly through sharing Polish experiences.
As far back as the year 2000, the Foundation initiated two programs aimed at achieving this goal. Thanks to the
“Region in Transition (RITA)” Program, favorable conditions were created for the development of cooperation
between Polish non-governmental organizations and other institutions and partners beyond Poland’s eastern
border. Poland is visited every year by hundreds of representatives of various fields from neighboring countries
who wish to become acquainted with changes in the functioning of the state, the economy and the society since
1989 and also with the challenges currently facing a country that is advanced in the transformation process. Interest is also aroused by Poland’s experiences in European integration. The second undertaking of the Foundation
is the long-term “Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program”, the inspiration being the American Fulbright exchange
program. The realization of both undertakings serves the creation and consolidation of ties between Poland
and the countries of the Region. The accession of Poland to the EU gave this added significance and today new
prospects are being opened by the European Union’s “Eastern Partnership” Program.
1
The Lane Kirkland
Scholarship Program
2
1
2
The Program supports initiatives of Polish
The Program aims to pass on Polish experiences
non‑governmental organizations and other
in the transformation and European integration
institutions that share Polish experiences in
to representatives of countries in Eastern Europe
various aspects of transformation with partners
through two-semester postgraduate studies at Polish
from other countries in the Region. The Program
higher education institutions. Kirkland scholarship
includes grant competitions, training, counseling
holders study, among other things, Economics and
and study visits to Poland, in which hundreds of
Management, Public Administration, Law, Social
representatives of academic youth and professional
and Political Studies. They also undertake trainee-
groups from abroad participate annually.
ships. On completion of studies, they participate in
projects, through which they come into contact with
Poland as well as communicate between each other.
The Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program
Areas of activity
gg Poland and the countries
of Central and Eastern
Europe and Central Asia
Addressees
gg Individuals
Types of support
gg Scholarships
gg Traineeships
gg Training
gg Projects for graduates
gg Higher education institutions
gg NGOs
“It is difficult to assess objectively the social processes and the inter-personal relations in one’s own country.
Everything seems to be normal, comprehensible—just as it ought to be. Everyone who participated in the
‘Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program’, however, had the opportunity to look at all of this from the outside,
from a certain distance. You go to another country, to another environment, and you observe your homeland
through the eye of a foreigner. From here on, nothing will seem to you to be so obvious. And this is what real
Europeanization is all about.
The ‘Kirkland Program’ is an opportunity for a whole year to come into contact with and become friends with the
future leaders of countries heading for European integration. There are lectures by well-known Polish scientists,
politicians and people from the world of culture and there is also the preparation of a diploma thesis under the
watchful eye of the heads of renowned academic centers. The contacts made and the experience gained enable
the graduates to work effectively in the future for social and economic development.
During the qualifying interview for the ‘Kirkland Program’, when I was asked the question ‘How do you see
yourself in ten years’ time?’ I replied, ‘I would like to become…’ On completion of the course in Poland, I said,
‘I will be…’ I had gained self-confidence and the knowledge of how to do it.”
Sergij Fedoniuk from Ukraine, a scholarship holder of the “Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program” in 2001–2002
Sergij Fedoniuk
Areas of activity
gg Poland and the countries
of Central and Eastern
Europe and Central Asia
Addressees
gg NGOs
gg Other institutions, including
educational ones
gg Individuals
Types of support
gg Grants
gg Traineeships
gg Experts’ support
NGOs
gg Schools and higher
education institutions
gg
“Access to pre-school education is an opportunity for a better future. In Georgia for children living in rural areas this
access is very limited indeed. In Georgian villages quite simply there are no pre-school facilities—local governments
cannot afford to maintain them. We have, however, found a solution.
In 2008, making use of grants from the “RITA” Program, we began in Georgia to implement projects promoting alternative pre-school education together with a partner Georgian organization Civitas Georgica. Thanks to the support
of local communities we are creating centers fulfilling above all an educational function but also a welfare need.
In these pre-school institutions we can see joyful smiling children, we meet happy and grateful parents. At a modest
cost we have managed to solve this important social problem. A teacher conducts activities with children, aged
3 to 6, at least four times a week for four hours. Children in these groups learn from each other, the older ones
look after the younger ones and they all help each other. The teacher is supported by parents and the whole village
takes care of its own pre-school facility.
So far, we have started 35 pre-school groups and next month another 10 will get under way. In the future, we want
to spread this idea around the whole country.”
Marzena Rafalska, the “Educator” (“Edukator”) Social-Welfare Association for Help for the Disadvantaged and Disabled,
Marzena Rafalska
coordinator of the “Alternative Pre-school Education in Georgia” project within the “Region in Transition” (RITA)” Program
Board of Directors
Management, staff and associates
Ch a irm an o f t h e B o ar d o f D i r e c t o r s
President and Chief Executive Officer
John P. Birkelund
Jerzy Koźmiński
Member s o f t h e B o ar d o f D i r e c t o r s
Administr ator of the Re presentative Office in Pol and
Marek Belka
Joseph C. Bell
Frederick Bohen
Michał Boni (2000–2008)
Zbigniew Brzeziński
Colin G. Campbell (2000)
John H. D’Arms (2000–2002)
Robert G. Faris
Anna Fornalczyk
Geoffrey Hoguet
Aleksander Koj
Jerzy Koźmiński
Andrew Nagorski
Krzysztof Pawłowski
Nicholas A. Rey (2000–2008)
Grzegorz Jędrys
Ryszard Kruk, also Vice President of the Foundation (2000–2005)
Program Directors
Tre asurer a nd Ch i e f F i n a n c ia l O f f i c e r
Jacek Michałowski
Radosław Jasiński
Anna Wojakowska-Skiba (2001–2009)
Anna Rozicka (2000–2001)
Norman E. Haslun III
Program Officers
Secretary to the B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s
Renata Koźlicka-Glińska
Robert Milewski
Mirosław Czyżewski
C. Douglas Ades
Legal Counselor
Robert C. Odle
Speci al Consulta n t
Rafał Kramza
Chief Accountant
U.S. Government Liaison to the Board
Daniel Fried (2000)
Christopher R. Hill (2000–2004)
Victor Ashe (2004–2009)
Lee Feinstein
Agnieszka Kwiatkowska
Małgorzata Rurewicz-Rzesoś (2000–2004)
Fin anci al An alys t
Programs’ Fin a nci al Controller
Consultants
Mira Osiecka
Dorota Górska
Irmina Dąbrowska
Agnieszka Cwalińska (2006–2007)
Accounting
Grzegorz Borczyk
Grażyna Skrzypiec
Adela Makarewicz
Inform ation and PR
Przemysław Zaroń
Program Assistants and Secretari at
Members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors during one of the meetings
accompanying the Board meeting in May 2008
Kalina Grzeszuk-Zajączkowska
Agnieszka Łukasik
Katarzyna Świątkiewicz
Paulina Kołaczyńska
Joanna Lempart-Winnicka
Monika Kotlarz (2000–2004)
Marta Szymczyk (2001–2003)
Administr ative Assistants
Rafał Milewski
Sławomir Doniecki (2000–2007)
Polish-A m e r i c an F r e e d o m F o un d at i o n
410 Park Avenue 15th Floor
New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel. (917) 210–8083
Representative Office of the PAFF in Poland
72 Dobra St.
00–312 Warsaw
Tel. (48 22) 828 43 73
fax (48 22) 828 43 72
e-mail: [email protected]
www.pafw.pl
Text editors: Piotr Sitkiewicz, Przemysław Zaroń
Project Coordinator: Alicja Dobrzyńska
Graphic and typographic design: Pracownia
www.pracownia.pl
Photographs: PAFF archives, Tomek Paczkowski (3, 31, back cover flap), Krzysztof Kuczyk
(35, bottom), archives of the School for Leaders Association (37, top), Klara Malecka
—www.witrynawiejska.org.pl (37, bottom), archives of Monitor Wołyński (45, top),
Marzena Rafalska (45, bottom)
The Foundation would like to thank everyone who helped in the production of this publication.
Copyright © 2010 by PAFF
isbn 978-83-89945-50-1

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