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

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The Ready for the Future Foundation
tel. +48 507 612 690
e-mail: kontakt@gotowinaprzyszlosc.pl

rownacszanse.pl

News

The Ready for the Future Foundation is the new Manager of the “Equal Opportunities” program

For 25 years, through open nationwide and regional grant competitions and training courses, ...

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

“LES” in Kyiv: support for school principals during the war

In April, the “Learning Schools” Program Team conducted a training session in Kyiv for school ...

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

Study at the PAFF and UW School of Education

Applications are now being accepted for the PAFF and UW School of Education for the 2026/27 ...

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

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.

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

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

The School with Class Foundation
Pl. Konstytucji 2/100, 00-552 Warsaw
tel. (48) 518 287 625
e-mail: fundacja@szkolazklasa.org.pl

kursnaodpornosc.pl

News

Strong and resilient young people at your school

“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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

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

pokoleniawakcji.pl

News

Enter the “Generations in Action” competition

Applications are being accepted by May 7 for the 19th round of the “Generations in Action” ...

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: 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 Philanthropy 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

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).

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

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

Zbigniew Pełczyński School of Leadership Foundation
12A Wiejska St., 00-490 Warsaw
tel. (48) 22 556 82 50
e-mail: programliderski@szkola-liderow.pl

programliderski.pl

News

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.

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

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 ...

PROGRAM MANAGER:

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

biblioteki.org

News

“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.

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

Local partnerships for social resilience

Discussions on social resilience, partnership-based cooperation, and relationships built on ...

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

Kirklanders in Lublin: knowledge, dialogue, integration

In March, Lublin hosted the scholarship holders of the Kirkland Program. The three-day conference ...

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

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

programrita.org

News

Be active in the East! Partnership projects

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.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

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

studytours.pl

News

Ukrainian communities in Polish communes: lessons and inspiration

A study visit by representatives of eight Ukrainian communities, organized as part of the “Study ...

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

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.

16,000
student-volunteers
$305 million
on program activity
36,600
scholarships
1,253 projects
designed to share Polish experiences
45,000
educational projects
23,000
local projects
11,850
participants of Study Tours to Poland
200,000
teachers covered by training
16,000
schools participated in programs
12,500
librarians covered by training
38,000
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

We bid farewell to Professor Krzysztof Pawłowski

https://en.pafw.pl/page/27/

AI in operating NGO. Download the e-book with recommendations
On the basis of the pilot educational project, run as part of the “Sector 3.0” program and aimed at training representatives of local organizations, some shared experiences and conclusions were drawn that ...
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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 Warsaw, was attended by a record number of over a thousand participants. The event was held under the Work ...
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The winner of 2024 PAFF Sector 3.0 Prize announced
The prize went to the Center for Citizenship Education Foundation. The objective of that prize is to popularize and support good practices of using digital tools and new media in everyday work of NGOs.
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PAFF Directors visits the Nidzica Development Foundation NIDA
Ceremonial initiation of the first American Garden in Poland, “English Teaching” demo lesson and summing up of almost twenty-five years of running the program in villages and small towns – these are just ...
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https://en.pafw.pl/page/27/

Voice from the region: report from the Local Media Day
On Saturday, November 15, 2025, Bydgoszcz became the center of discussions about the future of local media. During the third meeting in the Local Media Day series organized by the Media Forum Foundation ...
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