The program is addressed to schools, teachers, local leaders and non-governmental organizations. Through training and grant competitions, it supports efforts aimed at improving the quality of English language teaching to children and youth from small towns and rural areas. The program’s rich offer contributes to the professional development of English teachers who are working in small localities.
The Polish Association of Teachers of “English Teaching” is 10 years old
The joy of learning and teaching English, the multicultural and international nature of its ...
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
This is a system of support for local initiatives aimed at equalizing educational opportunities for comprehensive development of children and youth from small towns and rural areas. The program consists of regular grant competitions as well as training and regional forums enabling the exchange of experiences between NGOs and other entities involved in projects related to education and training of children and youth.
Young Explorers' Clubs Forum: experiences, reports, inspiration
Over 300 people from Poland and abroad gathered in Warsaw to discover how to inspire young ...
LEARNING SCHOOLS (LES)
The purpose of this program is to improve the quality of Polish education using the best foreign models and domestic experiences. Its objective is to improve teaching and assessment methods and comprehensive school development based on cooperation of teaching staff members. Schools develop new solutions and share their best practices. The program includes post-graduate studies for school principals as well as interactive Internet courses for teachers. Particular emphasis is placed on schools in rural ...
"What makes the ‘Learning Schools’ program so effective for 25 years? It is thanks to the strong ...
PAFF AND UW SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
The objective of the program, implemented jointly with the University of Warsaw (UW), is to prepare candidates for the teaching profession. This one-year postgraduate, full-time study is addressed to graduates of MA/MSc studies in Polish language, math, biology and history. The innovative curriculum was developed in cooperation with Columbia University Teachers College in New York. The PAFF and UW School of Education also conducts training sessions, seminars and e-learning courses for in-service ...
The School of Education hosted Ukrainian academics
International cooperation, sharing of experiences, and reflection on the future of education ...
PROJECTOR - STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
The idea is to tap into the intellectual potential and energy of university students in order to promote equal educational opportunities for children and youth from small localities as well as activating the volunteers’ social involvement. This is achieved by having groups of student-volunteers carry out educational projects at schools and other institutions.
The 20th round “PROJECTOR – Student Volunteers” program
On September 20-21, 2025, the finale of the 20th anniversary round of the “PROJECTOR - Student ...
BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS
A joint undertaking by NGOs, public institutions and firms is addressed to secondary school graduates from rural areas and small towns. The program enables them to receive scholarships for their first year of academic study. It opens the recipients a door to further assistance within the Top Student competition, language scholarships, doctoral scholarships as well as foreign internships.
The Good Network Foundation (“My Scholarship” and “e-volunteering”)
ul. Marszałkowska 6/17, 00-590 Warszawa
tel. (22) 825 70 22
e-mail: biuro@dobrasiec.org
Bridge Scholarships: an investment in the future of young people
590 students received scholarships to study under this year's round of the Bridge Scholarships ...
FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH
This is the newest undertaking of PAFF and is aimed at enhancing children’s and youth’s mental resilience. The objective of the program is to develop teachers’ and other educators’ competence to deal with young people who are depressed, have low motivation, experience loneliness and lack of self-esteem.
“Fostering Resilience in Children and Youth” is a free one-year training program supporting ...
THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES (TAU)
The objective of this program is to unleash the social energy of senior citizens. It is carried out at two levels: the “Seniors in Action” grant competition, under which senior citizens come up with ideas and carry out projects for the benefit of their local communities and intergenerational integration, as well as support for the Third Age Universities by providing them with training opportunities and mini-grants for cyclical activities that promotes TAU students’ volunteering.
Ambassadors of the “Generations in Action” Club met in Gdańsk
Shared values, passions, and activities for the benefit of local communities were the leitmotif ...
SUPPORT FOR NGOS
An information and support system for Polish NGOs and civic initiatives. It includes the Non-Governmental Organizations’ Portal ngo.pl, the free Infoline 801-646-719, a database of organizations and institutions, as well as the “Third Sector” quarterly. The program also offers training, counseling and publications on NGO management (“FIMANGO”, “PROMENGO” and the Kursodrom.pl). It also supports non-governmental organizations with information and advocacy efforts designed to help them effectively obtain ...
Clear and understandable, intuitively navigated, with content presented in attractive form, ...
ACT LOCALLY
Grant competitions organized by the network of Act Locally Centers (ALC) lend support to many different initiatives of non-governmental organizations and informal groups that activate communities of villages and small towns, serving their developmental aspirations. The activities involve cooperation of various partners and all respond to the specific needs of their local communities. As a result, they contribute to the building of social capital and the overall improvement of the quality of life. ...
Applications are now open for the “Act Locally” 2026 program
Until June 2026, local non-governmental organizations and informal groups can submit applications ...
SECTOR 3.0
The aim is to broaden the knowledge and skills of non-governmental organizations’ employees
and activists in the practical use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT) so as to expand the outreach and effectiveness of their efforts. The program has several components: informational (website, VOD, and blog), promotional (Sector 3.0 Festivals), educational (e-learning),
and financial (Sector 3.0 Fund).
The winners of the Sector 3.0 Fund have been announced
In total, the organizations received PLN 170,000 to develop and bring their social technology ...
PAFF LEADERS
This undertaking is primarily addressed to active participants of various PAFF programs, supporting development of the local leaders’ skills and qualifications necessary to work effectively for the benefit of their communities. The program uses the tutoring method; placing a tutor with a leader for a protracted length of time. Program alumni are encouraged to participate in workshops, study visits to Poland and other countries, and meetings with public figures.
The power of relationships: PAFF Leaders on youth empowerment
How can we build a space that not only supports but also genuinely develops young people's ...
PRO PUBLICO BONO
Under the program, PAFF currently supports the Bolesław Wierzbiański Award for local newspapers, offers training for local media journalists under the “Media Forum. Local Development” project, and organizes the annual Civic Congress in Warsaw.
The Pro Publico Bono Competition Foundation (2000-2014)
News
Journalism as a passion and the art of breaking down walls
The meaning and mission of the journalism profession were discussed by participants at a meeting ...
LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
From 2009 to 2015, thanks to the partnership of PAFF with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 3,808 public libraries in municipalities and rural communes with population of up to 20,000 inhabitants had been supported. They have become modern multifunctional centers which provide access to information, culture and education. From 2021 to 2023, the program reached over 400 new libraries. One of our methods for consolidating program outcomes is to increase the digital competencies of librarians and ...
“Feel Safe”. The role of libraries in times of uncertainty
How can libraries build a sense of security in local communities? This was the theme of the ...
PAFF LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
The purpose of the program is to initiate and develop cooperation among beneficiaries of various PAFF programs who establish Local Partnerships and involve other local organizations and institutions, as well as entrepreneurs, self-government bodies, and media in the implementing partnership projects responding to diagnosed local community needs. Their activities, using the method of animating local communities worked out in the program, contribute to the consolidation of social capital.
PAFF Local Partnerships at the Open Eyes Economy Summit
The “PAFF Local Partnerships” program was present at this year's 10th anniversary round of ...
GREEN LEADER
The program supports local leaders who want to gain knowledge and competencies in conducting actions aimed at protecting the environment in their local communities and dealing with climate change, as well as effectively obtaining EU funds for implementation of their initiatives.
25th round of the Competition for the Benefactor of the Year
“Do good all year round” – that slogan has accompanied socially responsible companies for the ...
LANE KIRKLAND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
A scholarship program for young leaders from Eastern Europe as well as the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Through the two-semester post-graduate studies at Polish universities and professional internships, scholars have an opportunity to learn about Poland’s transformation experience and integration with the European Union. The offer includes one-semester courses for academics.
Bydgoszcz welcomes Kirkland Program scholarship holders
Thirty-six scholarship holders from 10 countries in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and ...
REGION IN TRANSITION (RITA)
The program supports initiatives of Polish non-governmental organizations aimed at sharing Poland’s experience in various aspects of political transformation and integration with the EU. “RITA” is implemented in cooperation with partners in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. The program offers grants, training opportunities and expert support, as well as assistance
in establishing cooperation with foreign partners.
The Education for Democracy Foundation and the Polish-American Foundation invite Polish non-governmental ...
STUDY TOURS TO POLAND (STP)
These study visits, implemented since 2004, are to show the realities of Poland and the EU to active citizens of East European, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia countries. The participants are university student leaders from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Moldova as well as professionals from countries of the Region. Under the program, the Foundation supports the Warsaw Euro-Atlantic Summer Academy (WEASA) addressed to experts coming from Eastern Partnership countries.
Leaders of Ukraine's Reconstruction on a study visit to Poland
Representatives of local governments from the Vinnytsia, Sumy, Poltava, and Chernihiv regions ...
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
A special program launched by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation in response to the war in Ukraine is addressed to Polish NGOs helping the civilian population in Ukraine as well as war refugees coming to Poland.
Anti-Ukrainian propaganda on the Internet – IMM and Demagog report
The Media Monitoring Institute (IMM) and the Demagog Association have published their latest ...
Initiatives
in Education
An overarching goal of the Foundation is to level the playing field in education so that neither the place of origin nor family financial conditions hinder children and youth from unleashing their full potential. This objective is combined with raising the quality of education overall.
An overarching goal of the Foundation is to level the playing field in education so that neither the place of origin nor family financial conditions hinder children and youth from unleashing their full potential. This objective is combined with raising the quality of education overall.
Development
of Local Communities
The Foundation is committed to supporting local communities, particularly in rural areas and small towns. Their residents’ dynamic attitudes and ability to cooperate create the possibilities of changing their lives for the better, while contributing to socio-economic development across all of Poland.
The Foundation is committed to supporting local communities, particularly in rural areas and small towns. Their residents’ dynamic attitudes and ability to cooperate create the possibilities of changing their lives for the better, while contributing to socio-economic development across all of Poland.
Sharing
the Polish Experiences in Transformation
In parallel with the activities implemented in Poland, the Foundation continues to share Polish experiences in transformation with other countries.
In parallel with the activities implemented in Poland, the Foundation continues to share Polish experiences in transformation with other countries.
In Poland the Foundation’s programs focus on rural areas and small towns. Two issues dominate: leveling the playing field in education, combined with enhancing its quality overall, as well as unleashing and supporting citizens’ potential in local communities.
The Homo Faber Association won the Sector 3.0 Award
The Award for social organizations which have outstanding achievements in promotion, research and education using new ICT has been awarded for ten years. Its mission is to present good practices of applying ...
