Thanks to the diversified PAFF programmatic offer many local communities in Poland have carried out projects which have created opportunities for gaining experience and building resources that unleash civic energy. The “PAFF Local Partnerships” program offers participants of these projects the possibility of building joint partnership initiatives using the accumulated potential for work benefiting their local communities. This contributes to strengthening local social capital through a synergy of experiences and results of various initiatives. Partnerships primarily composed of participants of several PAFF programs, who constitute an Initiative Group within each coalition, are established. They are joined by local governments, businesses, the local media, as well as non-governmental organizations and institutions that have not previously participated in any PAFF programs. Organizations participating in one of the following PAFF programs can become partnership leaders: “Act Locally”, “English Teaching”, “Equal Opportunities”, “The Learning Schools” (LES), “PAFF Leaders”, the Library Development Program, “Region in Transition” (RITA), “Seniors in Action”, and “Green Leader.” Many local residents and volunteers are engaged in the execution of the projects.

In the eight editions held since 2009, 58 PAFF Local Partnerships and 17 partner start-ups have been formed, reaching 121 communes and engaging 1,200 partners.

Thanks to the partner projects it was possible to amend existing legal regulations and reduce air pollution in Żywiec, open a local online citizen television in Grodzisk Mazowiecki, develop a public park in Biłgoraj, and open a county volunteer center in Dębica. The projects also resulted in the promotion of local products, e.g., a “Route of the Carp” was created in the Barycz River Valley, and an “Apple Route” was outlined near Warka. The program led to the establishment of the Network of Youth-Friendly Places in the Podkarpacie region, and the formation of the “Volcano” Activity Center in Złotoryja. These projects focus on actions engaging young people. The village of Niemce witnessed the creation of a Youth Forest Guard which now protects the purity and beauty of the Kozłowiecki Forest and promotes pro-ecological attitudes. The engagement of partners and local residents resulted in restoring Poland’s first (though shut-down at the time), locomotive factory, Fablok SA, as the showpiece of Chrzanów.

The eighth program edition ran from January 2022 to December 2023, and saw the establishment of eight partnerships and six start-ups, including one for self-established partnerships that implemented smaller-scale projects. Partnership projects included the construction of a “Library Garden” in Nowy Tomyśl and an eco-museum in Bircza, the regeneration of a historical park in Drawsko Pomorskie, creating spaces for non-formal education in Oborniki Śląskie and Łubiany, cultivating porcelain-making traditions in Ćmielów, and establishing the Polish-Ukrainian business generator in Wojkowice. January 2024 marked the start of the ninth edition, which is expected to involve the establishment of another seven local partnerships.

The program promotes the local community activation method developed together with the Shipyard Foundation, which has been showcased in two publications: “How to Build Common Good. A Guide for Local Actors” and “How to Build Local Partnerships.” The scientific publication entitled, “The Local Community Animation Method for the Common Good. Theory and Practice”, was published in 2021 and presents the conclusions reached by a team of University of Warsaw researchers led by Professor Anna Giza. The monograph confirmed that this method was effective and useful in practice, i.e. that it stimulated local communities, and that its effects responded to local residents’ needs and expectations.

Another program component – the Common Good Lab – is addressed to program alumni. The objective of this initiative is to popularize cooperation of local communities working for the common good, promoting methods of local communities’ animation and enhancing the sustainability of existing partnerships. The initiative offers expert support and access to a database of materials, as well as regular alumni gatherings, training sessions, and webinars. The most active participants form the Civic Activists’ Community, which works to improve the animation method and develop tools to mobilize local communities. They also support creating new partnerships in locations that have not yet been reached by the program.

The Foundation has disbursed $3,622,784, including $200,750 for the current edition.