Grants of up to PLN 6,000 await local NGOs and informal groups operating in localities with no more than 20,000 residents. Competitions are organized by the network of 78 Act Locally Centers. The war in Ukraine has led us to open a special grant path titled “Act Locally and in Solidarity with Ukraine”. The 2022 grant pool equals PLN 3.5 million in total.
„Act Locally” is a program of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation managed by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland in cooperation with a network of 78 Act Locally Centers (ALCs) which covers more than 650 communes across Poland. Every year between March and June, these organizations announce local grant competitions and award funds to projects aimed at solve specific local problems, respond to resident needs, promote local traditions, the history of a given place or its tourist attractions, instill modern solutions into the life of a given community, help enhance local resident skills and increase their educational and development opportunities, revive local surroundings and make a given commune more attractive.
How to implement a project with “Act Locally 2022”
Start by finding an Act Locally Center in your area. Find out whether the operations of this ALC cover the commune where your NGO or informal group wishes to take action. Next, check the grant competition timeline. Act Locally Centers organize meetings to explain the concept behind “Act Locally” and go over program policies?. After that, all that remains to be done is to submit an application for the funds you need to execute your project for the common good of the local community.
Projects can serve such purposes as providing social assistance and education, fostering culture and the arts, protecting cultural and traditional property, ensuring healthcare, acting for the disabled, promoting employment and professional activation of the unemployed, promoting and protecting women’s rights, supporting and promoting the study of local history, and providing leisure opportunities to children and youth. Projects can also contribute to protecting natural heritage, ensuring public order and security, counteracting serious social problems, promoting and organizing volunteer services, engaging in charitable activity, helping local communities, and providing aid to refugees.
“Act Locally” has launched a special pathway for 2022: “Act Locally and in Solidarity with Ukraine”. This means that it will be possible to use the grants awarded in local competitions to support local initiatives aimed at helping refugees fleeing from Ukraine.
We only accept online submissions at www.system.dzialajlokalnie.pl
This year’s grant pool amounts to more than PLN 3.5 mln, which includes funds provided by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and contributions of Act Locally Centers.
About the program
„Act Locally” is a program of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation implemented by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland in cooperation with a network of 78 Act Locally Centers. “Act Locally” supports and activates local communities in rural areas and small towns by implementing citizen projects which are important to local residents. These projects are to trigger aspirations to pursue development and improve quality of life, as well as contribute to building social capital. Since 2000 “Act Locally” has provided support to more than 13,000 local projects involving more than 4 million participants, including about 230,000 volunteers.
„Act Locally Centers” are organizations that conduct local grant competitions. They disburse the funds delivered by PAFF, local governments, businesses and private individuals. ALCs also provide training and advisory service, as well as supporting volunteers.
