On September 13, eight new “PAFF Local Partnerships” received checks and signed contracts for the implementation of year-long projects. The ceremony took place at the Polish-American Freedom Foundation’s Representative Office. ‘Apple trail’ in Warka, ‘Youth Forest Guard’ at Niemce, or traditional Szadkowski bread baking are only a few examples of activities planned by partnerships established under the 5th edition of the program.
‘I wish you that the implementation of your partnership initiatives results in many positive changes in your local communities and that new partners join you enthusiastically to work for those changes,’ said Grzegorz Jędrys, Head of the Representative Office in Poland, when he welcomed representatives of eight new partnerships established under the 5th edition of the “PAFF Local Partnerships” Program. Also Joanna Lempart-Winnicka, PAFF Program Director and Paweł Łukasiak, President of the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland wished the participants of the ceremony every success. Next the representatives of the Initiative Groups received symbolic checks. The maximum amount of the grant was PLN 100,000.
During the ceremony each of the partnerships had an opportunity to present its planned actions and the benefits they shall result in. ‘We would like the omnipresent paving brick to disappear from our market square in Warka. We plan to plant apple trees there and make it a place friendly towards residents,’ stressed Małgorzata Dąbrowska, a member of the partnership from Warka, a PAFF Leader. “We’ll develop space in such a way that we’ll stimulate young people and based on our local resources we will create a ‘Network of Places Friendly towards Young People’,” declared Adam Ptasiński, a member of the partnership from Błażowa representing its leader – the Inspiration Generator Foundation.
The special guest of the event was Daniel Prędkopowicz, President of the “Europe and We” Association, leader of the “GTV – your neighborhood” local partnership established in the 3rd edition of the Program, as well as member of the initiative addressed to the Program alumni – the Common Good Lab. He spoke about the best practices on the example of the GTV citizen television created in Grodzisk district four years ago.
Implementation of all projects starts in September 2016. They include:
– The “Fruit of our passion” project implemented by the Initiative Group whose leader is W.A.R.K.A. Association (Act Locally Center). The members: PSP Konary (“Projector–Student Volunteers”), Monika Górniewicz and Małgorzata Dąbrowska (“PAFF Leaders”). The project will be implemented in Warka commune, Mazowieckie voivodeship.
– The “Wielka Wieś (Large Village) mission – low emission” project implemented by the Initiative Group whose leader is the Association of the Będkowicka Land Lovers “Sokolica” (“English Teaching”). The members: Commune Public Library in Wielka Wieś (Library Development Program), Elementary School in Bębla, Junior High and Elementary School in Biały Kościół, Elementary School in Wielka Wieś (“Projector-Student Volunteers”). The project will be implemented in Wielka Wieś commune, Małopolskie voivodeship.
– “A network of youth-friendly places” project implemented by the Initiative Group whose leader is the Inspiration Generator Foundation (Act Locally Center, involved also in the “Equal Opportunities” and the Bridge Scholarships Program). The members: the Sub-Carpathian Center of Hippothereapy Foundation (“Equal Opportunities”), Commune Public Library in Chmielnik (Library Development Program, “Equal Opportunities”), Municipal Culture Center in Boguchwała (“Equal Opportunities”), Adam Ptasiński (“ICT for Local Development”). The project will be implemented in Błażowa, Boguchwała, Chmielnik, Lubenia communes, Podkarpackie voivodeship.
– The “Young people discover secrets and potential of the region – we are building the Volcano Activity Center” project implemented by the Initiative Group whose leader is Kaczawskie Association (Act Locally Center). The members: “Our Rio” Association (“Equal Opportunities”), Barbara Zwierzynśka (“PAFF Leaders”). The project will be implemented in Złotoryja commune, Dolnośląskie voivodeship.
– The “We shape the village. Copasetic village administration” project implemented by the Initiative Group whose leader is the Commune Culture Center in Główczyce (“Projector – Student Volunteers”, “Equal Opportunities”, “Third Age Universities”). The members: “Commune Support for Civic Initiatives” Association (“Equal Opportunities”), Paweł Żmuda (“PAFF Leaders”). The project will be implemented in Główczyce commune, Pomorskie voivodeship.
– The “With traditional bread into the 21st century” project implemented by the Initiative Group whose leader is the Social Educational Association in Prusinowice (“English Teaching”) The members: John Paul II Elementary School in Prusinowice (“English Teaching”), Municipal and Commune Public Library I in Szadek (Library Development Program), Anna Dąbrowska (“PAFF Leaders”). The project will be implemented in Szadek commune, Łódzkie voivodeship.
– The “Youth forest guard” project implemented by the Initiative Group whose leader is the Sempre a Frente Foundation (“Region in Transition” -RITA). The members: Commune Social and Professional Activation Center (“Third Age Universities”, “Act Locally”), Complex of Educational Institutions in Ciecierzyn (“Projector – Student Volunteers”), Mateusz Małyska (“PAFF Leaders”). The project will be implemented in Niemce commune, Lubelskie voivodeship.
– The “Partnership kaleidoscope” project implemented by the Initiative Group whose leader is the Foundation of Art, Adventure and Pleasure – ARTS (Act Locally Center). The members: Municipal Public Library in Dobczyce (Library Development Program, “Third Age Universities”), the Culture Society of Myślenice (“Equal Opportunities”), Agnieszka Dudek (“ICT for Local Development”), Izabela Janczak-Bizoń, Anna Kapusta and Paweł Piwowarczyk (“PAFF Leaders”). The project will be implemented in Myślenice and Dobczyce communes, Małopolskie voivodeship.
Participation in the “PAFF Local Partnerships” Program is a form of an award for communities that are outstandingly active in implementation of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation’s programs. It also serves initiating cooperation of participants who carry out joint projects.
A total of 38 partnerships operating in 85 communes and involving almost 500 partners have been established over five editions of this undertaking.
The program is managed by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland.
