Polish-American Freedom Foundation

ENGLISH TEACHING

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Nidzica Development Foundation “NIDA”
3 Rzemieślnicza St., 13-100 Nidzica
tel. (48 89) 625-36-51, tel./fax (48 89) 625-36-62
e-mail: j.kowalczyk@nida.pl

englishteaching.org.pl

News

XX Jubilee English Teaching Market is over

How to work effectively with students with special educational needs? How to support communication ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Civis Polonus Foundation
Bagatela 10 St., Ap. 36, 00-585 warsaw
tel. +48 509 725 536; (48 22) 827 52 49
e-mail: fundacja@civispolonus.org.pl

rownacszanse.pl

News

Ready for the Future. Debate on the challenges faced by youth

It’s already for the third time that the “Equal Opportunities” program initiated probably as ...

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 ...

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Center for Citizenship Education Foundation
10 Noakowskiego St. Ap. 1, 00-666 Warsaw
tel. (48 22) 875 85 40, fax (48 22) 875 85 40 int. 102
e-mail: ceo@ceo.org.pl

sus.ceo.org.pl

News

A PAFF Leader with Irena Sendler Award for Repairing the World

Anita Rucioch-Gołek, a Polish teacher at Arkady Fiedler Elementary School in Zbąszyń, and a ...

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 ...

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Foundation for Quality Education
ul. Banacha 2C, 02-097 Warszawa
tel. (22) 55 43 790, (22) 55 43 789
e-mail: kontakt@szkolaedukacji.pl

szkolaedukacji.pl

News

Will the School of Education be an inspiration for Ukraine?

Will the PAFF & UW School of Education become an inspiration for institutions educating ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Educational Enterprise Foundation
ul. Marii Curie Skłodowskiej 3/2.32
20-029 Lublin
e-mail: biuro@projektor.org.pl
tel: +48 507 703 240

www.projektor.org.pl

News

Relationship Space. Gala of the 19th round of the „PROJECTOR” program

“Our actions (…) wouldn’t have such a value but for you – people who offer their energy, new ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Educational Enterprise Foundation
27/29 Sterlinga St., 90-212 Lodz
tel. (48 42) 632-59-91, 631-95-58, fax (48 42) 630-27-81
e-mail: fep@fep.lodz.pl

www.stypendia-pomostowe.pl

Polish-American Internship Initiative: www.paii.pl

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

www.dobrasiec.org

News

A new round of the Bridge Scholarships Program launched

In 2024/2025 academic year as many as 575 students received their bridge scholarships for their ...

FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH

A new undertaking aimed at enhancing children’s and youth’s mental resilience. The objective of the program is to develop teachers’ and educators’ competence; in their educational work they more and more often have to deal with young people who are depressed, have low motivation, experience loneliness and lack of self-esteem.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The School with Class Foundation
19 Śniadeckich St., 00-654 Warsaw
tel. (48) 518 287 625
e-mail: fundacja@szkolazklasa.org.pl

The Education for Democracy Foundation
9/11 Nowolipie St., 00-150 Warsaw
e-mail: biuro@fed.org.pl

kursnaodpornosc.pl

News

Take part in the “Fostering Resilience in Children and Youth” program

It is a training aimed at improving competence of those who work with children and young people. ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Association of the Creative Initiatives "ę"
55 Mokotowska St., 00-542 Warszawa
tel. (4822) 396-55-16
e-mail: listy@seniorzywakcji.pl

seniorzywakcji.pl

News

10 years of the „Seniors in Action” competition

The 10th round of the „Seniors in Action” competition is pending. The competition, with its ...

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 ...

PROGRAM MANAGER:

"MIS@NGO”: The Klon/Jawor Association
5 Szpitalna St. Ap. 5, 00-031 Warsaw
Info-line (48) 801-646-719, fax (48 22) 828-91-29
e-mail: klon@klon.org.pl
Non-governmental Organization's Portal: www.ngo.pl
www.eu.ngo.pl

"FIMANGO": The Civil Society Development Foundation
6 Kłopotowskiego St., Apt. 59/60, 03-717 Warsaw
tel.(48 22) 616-33-16, fax (48 22) 616-32-46,
e-mail: fimango@frso.pl

“NGO Training”: The Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation
ul. Królowej Marysieńki 48
02-954 Warszawa
tel. (22) 550 28 10
e-mail: faoo@faoo.pl
www.kursodrom.pl

News

New image of ngo.pl portal

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. ...

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Academy for the Development of Philantropy in Poland
6 Marszałkowska St. Ap. 6, 00-590 Warsaw
tel. (48 22) 622-01-22, fax (48 22) 622-02-11
e-mail: arfp@filantropia.org.pl

dzialajlokalnie.pl

News

Training sessions for Act Locally Centers Network. Report

A series of training sessions for Act Locally Centers Network took place from February 27 to ...

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). The program comprises several components: informational (website, VOD, and blog), promotional (Sector 3.0 Festivals), advisory (ICT Mobile Advisors network and e-learning), and financial (Innovation Fund).

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Information Society Development Foundation
ul. Kopernika 17, 00-359 Warszawa
tel.: (48 22) 123 90 20
Contact person: Dawid Szarański
mobile: +48 530 69 11 99

sektor3-0.pl

News

Work Smarter. This year’s round of the Sector 3.0 Festival is over

The 14th round of the Sector 3.0 Festival, which took place at the Cambridge Innovation Center ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

Zbigniew Pełczyński School for Leaders Foundation
12A Wiejska St., 00-490 Warsaw
tel. (4822) 556-82-50, (4822) 556-82-54, fax (4822) 556-82-51
e-mail: liderzy@szkola-liderow.pl

programliderski.pl

News

How social narrations impact leadership

Why TV commercials show seniors in the context of medicines improving memory or seniors that ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Local Press Association (The Bolesław Wierzbiański Award)

The Media Forum Foundation (“Media Forum. Local Development”)

The Institute for Market Economics (Civic Congress)

The Pro Publico Bono Competition Foundation (2000-2014)

News

About journalism – not only local – in practice

Almost 100 local journalists from all over Poland took part in the summing up of the first ...

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 ...

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Information Society Development Foundation
ul. Kopernika 17, 00-359 Warszawa
tel.: (48 22) 123 90 20

biblioteki.org

News

15th National Library Congress is over. Report

The issue of attracting young people and seniors to libraries was discussed under the slogan ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland
ul. Marszałkowska 6/6, 00-590 Warszawa
tel. (22) 622 01 22

www.lokalnepartnerstwa.org.pl

News

New Local Partnerships joined the program

6 Local Partnerships and 2 start-ups for the common good is taking part in the 9th 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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Sendzimir Foundation
46a Mokotowska St., Ap. 25
00-543 Warszawa

zielonylider.org

News

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Leaders of Change Foundation
Al. Jerozolimskie 133 lok. 56
02-304 Warszawa
Program Director: Urszula Sobiecka
tel. (48) 504 103 904

kirkland.edu.pl

News

Kirkland Research scholarships – the enrollment is on

The enrollment to the Kirkland Research Program for candidates from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, ...

REGION IN TRANSITION (RITA)

The program supports initiatives of Polish non-governmental organizations aimed at sharing various aspects Poland’s experience in transformation This is implemented in cooperation with partners in Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus, and Central Asia. The program offers grants, training opportunities and experts’ support, as well as assistance in establishing cooperation with foreign partners.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Education for Democracy Foundation
9/11 Nowolipie St., 00-150 Warsaw
e-mail: rita@fed.org.pl

programrita.org

News

Meeting of Region in Transition Ambassadors

Almost 80 participants of PAFF’s “Region in Transition” (RITA) and “Support for Ukraine” programs ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Leaders of Change Foundation
Al. Jerozolimskie 133 lok. 56
02-304 Warszawa
e-mail: stp@studytours.pl

studytours.pl

News

WEASA: integration and revitalization of cooperation at the time of crisis

From July 1 to July 7, 2024, the 12th round of Warsaw Euro-Atlantic Summer Academy (WEASA) ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Education for Democracy Foundation
ul. Nowolipie 9/11, 00-150 Warszawa
e-mail: ukraina@fed.org.pl

Contacts persons:
Sylwia Gajownik, the Education for Democracy Foundation, Tel. +48 535 854 424
Agnieszka Świeczka, the Education for Democracy Foundation, Tel. +48 605 787 757

fed.org.pl/wspieramy-ukraine

News

Over PLN 1.6 million for intervention projects

Under “Support for Ukraine”, the new program of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, 59 ...

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.

16,000
student-volunteers
$285 million
on program activity
35,000
scholarships
1,189 projects
designed to share Polish experiences
43,000
educational projects
21,000
local projects
11,000
participants of Study Tours to Poland
200,000
teachers covered by training
16,000
schools participated in programs
11,000
librarians covered by training
34,000
participants in training workshops for NGOs

Goals

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.

ABOUT US

News

Lane Kirkland Scholarships for the academic year 2025/26

The deadline for submitting applications is March 1, 2025.

https://en.pafw.pl/page/3/

A new round of the Bridge Scholarships Program launched
In 2024/2025 academic year as many as 575 students received their bridge scholarships for their studies, including 367 for the 1st year. Ceremony of 23rd round of Bridge Scholarships Program inauguration ...
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A PAFF Leader with Irena Sendler Award for Repairing the World
Anita Rucioch-Gołek, a Polish teacher at Arkady Fiedler Elementary School in Zbąszyń, and a PAFF Leader is the winner of this year’s Irena Sendler Award for Repairing the World. The award ceremony was ...
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15th National Library Congress is over. Report
The issue of attracting young people and seniors to libraries was discussed under the slogan of They Will (Not) Come Anyway at the 15th National Library Congress that took place at Copernicus Science Center ...
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The School of Master in Education launched
“These postgraduate courses are launched in order to change Polish education,” noted Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Education Katarzyna Lubnauer during the opening ceremony of Mathematics ...
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https://en.pafw.pl/page/3/

The Postgraduate Courses for Education Leaders – join now
The Center for Citizenship Education Foundation is enrolling candidates to the new round of the Postgraduate Courses for Education Leaders. The studies are addressed to directors and vice directors of ...
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95 years ago, on March 28, Zbigniew Brzezinski was born; a great Pole, a great American who made immense contributions to the freedom of Poland. He was also a co-founding father of the PAFF.

Professor Zbigniew Brzeziński: 1938-2017

We would like to inform that the PAFF has begun creating an online photo gallery covering several decades of activity of Zbigniew Brzeziński, co-founder of the Foundation.

Zbigniew Brzeziński. Captured in the frame

Partnership projects

Young Discoverer’s Clubs
The Young Discoverer’s Club is a place where young people and children under the eye of a tutor carry out experiments and gain knowledge on their own. The Copernicus Science Center - program coordinator - bolsters YDCs development with support from the PAFF.

www.kmo.pl

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Entrepreneurship Olympiad
One of the biggest competitions addressed to secondary school students. A dozen thousands of students interested in enterprise, management, and economy from over 1,000 schools all over Poland apply to each round of that Olympiad.

www.olimpiada.edu.pl

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Discover e-volunteering
E-volunteering is a volunteering by the Internet. The objective of that competition, held by the Good Network Foundation, is to support the most interesting ideas of social projects based on cooperation with e-volunteers.

www.e-wolontariat.pl

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My Scholarship
The biggest in Poland Internet portal that informs about scholarship programs run by associations, foundations, local governments, companies and universities. The portal is managed by the Good Network Foundation.

www.mojestypendium.pl

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Charity Stars
A plebiscite held by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland, awards people who being well recognizable are more effective in helping those in need and in supporting NGOs.

gwiazdydobroczynnosci.pl

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Benefactor of the Year
An initiative of the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland of awarding companies that are socially involved and support NGOs inspiring them to act for the benefit of their neighborhood.

www.dobroczyncaroku.pl

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School with Class 2.0
The initiative implemented as part of the School with Class which has been carried out since 2002. Its objective is to promote ICT use in learning and teaching. The oraganizers of the initiative are Center for Citizenship Education Fiundation and "Gazeta Wyborcza" daily.

www.szkolazklasa20.pl

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