How to ensure lasting and effective cooperation and develop a partnership development plan? This question was the main theme of the evaluation seminar for participants of the 9th round of the “PAFF Local Partnerships” program. The meeting took place on October 28, 2025, at the Head Office of Polish-American Freedom Foundation in Warsaw.
The event began with a short welcome by Paweł Łukasiak, President of the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland, and Kalina Grzeszuk-Zajączkowska, PAFF Program Officer, who emphasized the importance of lasting partnership cooperation for the common good.
The first part of the seminar made an opportunity to present the results of projects implemented as part of the ninth round of the program. The partnerships told how their ideas came about, what local needs they responded to, and how they defined the common good in their activities. The participants also shared their experiences of building partnerships, cooperating with residents, and the results of their projects, both in material and social terms. And so: in Jabłonna the agency of young people was strengthened by developing their leadership skills and preparing the ground for the Youth Civic Budget. In Lubawa, Kowary, and Starogard Gdański, meeting and development spaces for young people were created. In Redzikowo, residents of different generations and cultures were brought together thanks to the joint discovery and commemoration of local heritage. The partnership of Kijewo Królewskie commune transformed the park in Dorposz Szlachecki into a space for activity, entertainment, and culture, while the residents of Suchy Las commune were discovering the charms of their area during themed walks and creative workshops.
In the second part of the seminar, conducted by Shipyard Foundation, participants took part in a Reflection On The Experience Of Cooperation In Partnership workshop. The aim of the first module was to jointly review the experiences of cooperation within partnerships – both the successes and the difficulties encountered in everyday work. During discussions in subgroups and on the forum, participants identified sources of potential challenges and shared good practices and resources that helped them build lasting relationships. The workshop also resulted in the development of recommendations for effective partnership cooperation.
The second workshop module, Partnership Development Plan, was dedicated to individual work of each partnership. The participants reflected on the future goals of their partnership, opportunities for developing activities, and what forms of support could promote the sustainability of the relationships developed. Potential areas for the exchange of experiences between partnerships were also discussed.
“The evaluation seminar is an excellent space for the exchange of experiences, reflections, and inspiration. Participants emphasized that the meeting was an important step towards planning for the future and building lasting ties between local partnerships,” notes Kalina Grzeszuk-Zajączkowska, PAFF Program Officer.
The “PAFF Local Partnerships” program aims to initiate and develop cooperation between participants in various programs of Polish-American Freedom Foundation to create partnerships that will implement projects important to local communities. It is managed by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland.
Since 2009, 83 partnerships have been established in 130 municipalities and communes throughout Poland, involving 1,200 partners. The activities of these partnerships have reached 180,000 residents. In the ninth round alone, in 2024-25, six partnerships and two start-ups for the common good that cover 12 municipalities and communes were established.
