Are you active in your local community? Do people follow your example? Are you the initiator of new projects? Do you animate a small locality? Are you a leader of an NGO, a councilor, or a mayor? Are you working to solve an important social issue? Then you should apply to the year-long development program for local social leaders.
Zbigniew Pełczyński School of Leaders has announced the enrolment to 21st round of “Polish-American Freedom Foundation Leaders” program. The deadline for applications is March 3, 2025.
About the program
The “PAFF Leaders” program has been run jointly by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and Zbigniew Pełczyński School of Leaders since 2004.
The program supports the development of skills and qualifications of individuals working for the benefit of their local communities mainly using the tutorial method consisting in permanent individual cooperation with an experienced tutor.
An important element of the program is a series of training sessions that are adjusted to the participants’ needs. They include self-development planning, team building, managing the organization, communication, public speaking, introducing changes, engaging the community, or building local partnerships.
The program also offers support for alumni of the earlier rounds under the Alumni Initiative allowing cooperation and experience sharing.
As a result of the previous nineteen rounds of the program, almost 900 leaders from all over Poland have improved their skills, an active national network has been established, and 72 experts in tutorial method have been educated.
“The program is about the courage to become a leader, learning your strong and weak points in that role, developing skills to introduce changes for people and with people, meeting and building relationships with people from various environments and with various views,” Agnieszka Szelągowska, Head of the “PAFF Leaders” program and Vice President of Zbigniew Pełczyński School of Leaders says.
Why is the program worth applying?
The “PAFF Leaders” program is a unique 12-month free development program for local social leaders that adds new dimension and energy to leadership activity. Its participants meet other leaders, tutors, and coaches and get the opportunity to look at their own activities from many different angles. Thanks to tools used they can apply new methods of work that bring better results, allow to include other people, and improve the leadership quality.
Who can apply?
The program managers invite people with at least 2-year experience in local, activist, or local government activity as project leaders or those who involve others or introduce the change significant for a local community. The program is addressed first of all to people from villages or small towns or up to 20,000 residents and those who have already implemented projects financed by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.
Radosław Jasiński, Program Director of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation noted that: “PAFF Leaders program is a unique initiative for unique people who want to help and support others effectively in those unique times.”
Agenda
- 12-month individual working with a tutor,
- 4 training sessions – workshops, debates and inspiring meetings,
- Study tours all over Poland,
- Program inauguration and Alumni Meeting,
- Rich offer for the program alumni.
Enrolment
To apply to the 21st round you shall submit the filled-in application form with the necessary attachments by March 3, 2025. In the second stage you will be invited to an online interview.
The independent expert committee composed of the authors of the program methodology, representatives of tutors, experts in leadership, and the program managers will select a group of 46 participants from among the applications sent by the candidates.
The schedule of enrolment, agenda of 21st round of the program and answers to FAQ are available on the program website.
During the enrolment period, two information meetings are planned: on February 11, at 16:00 hrs. and February 26, at 18:00 hrs. The meetings will be held online, on Zoom. The link to the meetings will be available on the program website.
Information and contact
- Enrolment to the program is on from February 3 to March 3, 2025.
- Enrolment form
- Information on Enrolment to the 21st round
- On-line information meeting will be held on: February 11, at 16:00 hrs. and February 26, at 18:00 hrs.
- Enrolment contact: Agnieszka Wojnarowska-Śmietana, tel. 510 078 760
- Media contact: Agnieszka Szelągowska
