The participants were welcomed by Polish-American Freedom Foundation Program Director Joanna Lempart and President of the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland Paweł Łukasiak. Joanna Lempart congratulated new partnerships on their participation in a prestigious PAFF Local Partnerships program, which combines resources and experiences gained in implementation of various initiatives of the Foundation. She also noted the significance of work carried out so far by initiative groups under the Partnership Development Academy. In turn, Paweł Łukasiak pointed to the importance of building partnerships and acting for the common good in a polarized society. He also added that the social capital built that way allows to effectively overcome various crises.

Next, the symbolic grant handing over ceremony and project presentation of each new project took place. That was followed by presentation of conclusions drawn from the Young People from a Village 2024 study, attended by Aleksandra Pierścińska of the Shipyard Foundation. Complex and not obvious picture of young people that the study shows is a valuable hint for partnerships that may be willing to include young people in joint actions for the good of their community. The participants of the meeting also had an opportunity to discuss and share experiences in the area of involving young people in their work and implementation of educational initiatives. The workshops for groups of participants were conducted by Sylwia Żmijewska-Kwiręg (the Center for Citizenship Education) and Paweł Walecki (the Civis Polonus Foundation).

Emilia Dmochowska, the PAFF Local Partnerships Coordinator, and Tomasz Bruski, the Academy of Partnership Development CFO, presented the rules of cooperation under the grant agreement to the new partnerships, and Katarzyna Klatt-Koryszewska, Head of Communication, presented the rules of the program promotion.

The following 6 grants worth PLN 80,000 have been awarded under the 9th round of the “PAFF Local Partnerships” program:

1. Green Oasis – Center for Young People’s Ecological Activity, the Initiative Group: Chata Kociewia Local Action Group (Act Locally Center), Starogard 2030 Association (Green Leader), Ewa Czeplina (PAFF Leader Program), Magdalena Forc-Cherek (PAFF Leader Program); Starogard Gdański municipality, Starogard Gdański rural commune (Pomorskie province);
2. ALM – Academy of Leadership for Younf People of Jabłonna Commune, the Initiative Group: Jabłonna Commune Culture Center (Equal Opportunity), Władysław Taczanowski Communal Public Library at Jabłonna (the Library Development Program), Magdalena Sałek-Lewczyk (PAFF Leader Program); Jabłonna rural commune (Lubelskie province);
3. Young People’s Zone in Kowary, the Initiative Group: Municipal Public Library in Kowary (the Library Development Program), Town Hall in Kowary (“Green Leader”), Spirit of the Mountain Local Action Group Association (Act Locally Center), Dorota Goetz (the “PAFF Leaders” Program); Kowary municipality (Dolnośląskie province);
4. Local Initiatives Park, the Initiative Group: Communal Culture Center at Kijewo Królewskie (Equal Opportunities), Lower Vistula River Bend Local Action Group (Act Locally Center), Communal Public Library at Kijewo Królewskie (the Library Development Program); Kijewo Królewskie commune, (Kujawsko-Pomorskie province);
5. From Dzika Off Into the World!, the Initiative Group: Warmia and Mazury Development Foundation (the “English Teaching” program), Communal Public Library at Rudzienice (the Library Development Program), Magdalena Fota (the “PAFF Leaders” Program), Tomasz Woźniak (the “PAFF Leaders” program), Dawid Kopaczewski (the “PAFF Leaders” program); Iława municipality, Iława rural commune, Lubawa municipality, Lubawa rural commune (Warmińsko-Mazurskie province);
6. Fusing of the Worlds, the Initiative Group: Culture and Public Library Center at Redzikowo Commune (the Library Development Program), Communal Third Age University at Redzikowo (Third Age Universities), Major Henryk Sucharski Elementary School at Jezierzyce (the “Learning Schools” program), Zbigniew Gach (the “PAFF Leaders” Program); Redzikowo commune (Pomorskie province).

The Selection Committee awarded also 2 start-up grants of PLN 20,000 for implementation of the following projects:

1. Warta River Joins, Warta River Separates…”, the Initiative Group: Piast Trail Local Action Group (Act Locally Center), Communal Public Library at Czerwonak (the Library Development Program), Wojciech Skrzekut (the “PAFF Leaders” Program); Czerwonak commune (Wielkopolskie province);
2. „#jestemstąd”, the Initiative Group: Association of Three Rivers Region Local Action Group (Act Locally Center), NOWYMODEL Foundation (Third Age Universities), Anna Ohirko (the “PAFF Leaders” Program); Suchy Las commune (Wielkopolskie province);

The aim of the “PAFF Local Partnerships” program is to initiate and develop cooperation of participants of various programs run by Polish-American Freedom Foundation in order to establish partnerships to implement projects important for local communities. The program is managed by Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland.

In the current, 9th round 6 partnerships and 2 start-ups for the common good have been established in 12 municipalities and/or rural communes. Over former 8 rounds a total of 75 partnerships operating on the area of 120 municipalities and/or rural communes and involving almost 1,200 partners were set up.