The “PAFF Local Partnerships” program was present at this year's 10th anniversary round of the Open Eyes Economy Summit, which took place on November 18 and 19, 2025, at the ICE Krakow Congress Center and online, bringing together leaders of business and social organizations, as well as representatives of public administration and academics.
The Open Eyes Economy Summit is the culmination of a year-long intellectual and organizational effort by the Open Eyes Economy movement, which consistently reminds us that the economy should be based not only on economic values, but also on social engagement and responsibility towards the planet.
An important event of this year’s congress was the special session on “Working Together For A Better Tomorrow – Social Partnerships In Practice”, in which Paweł Łukasiak, President of the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland, took part, presenting the “PAFF Local Partnerships” program. In addition, the panel was attended by Judyta Rozmus, Leader of the Refugee Support Project, IKEA Retail in Poland, Paulina Wójtowicz-Szmit, Founder & CEO of Social Movers Hub, and Szymon Surmacz, Mayor of Leśna. During the session, the participants discussed, among other things, models of cooperation for social goals, factors determining the sustainability of partnerships, and the role of leaders in building joint initiatives.
The discussion focused in particular on the importance of partnerships between business, the public sector, and the social economy, and how cooperation can realistically shape a better future.
“It is the common good that creates a space for action that goes beyond the individual interests of the partners,” emphasized Paweł Łukasiak, pointing out that a key role in the development of such cooperation is played by the method of animating local communities for the common good, which was developed in the “PAFF Local Partnerships” program.
The session was moderated by Dr. Agnieszka Pacut, a member of the GAP Foundation Council and a representative of the University of Economics in Krakow.
The event was held under the patronage of the Małopolska Province.
The “PAFF Local Partnerships” program aims to initiate and develop cooperation between participants in various programs of Polish-American Freedom Foundation in order to create partnerships to implement projects important to local communities. Since 2009, 83 partnerships have been established in 130 municipalities and rural communes throughout Poland, involving 1,200 partners. The activities of these partnerships have reached 180,000 residents. The program is managed by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland.
