The first workshop, “From Threats To Action – We Examine Needs, Train Leaders, And Build The Resilience Of Local Communities”, was held at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw on November 7. The meeting was attended by nearly 40 leaders of social organizations, representatives of local governments, and local institutions.  

The participants in the discussion at the panel on social resilience initiatives addressed to local communities included:

Agata Łuczyńska, President of the School with Class Foundation, who presented the Polish-American Freedom Foundation’s “Fostering Resilience in Children and Youth” program;

Sylwia Żmijewska-Kwiręg, Program Director and Member of the Center for Citizenship Education Foundation Management Board, who spoke about the “Resilient School” project as part of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation’s “Learning Schools” program;

Joanna Furmaga – President of the Board of Polish Green Network Association, who spoke about energy cooperatives as one of the elements of building resilience;

Joanna Kucharczyk-Jurgielewicz – Program, Partnership, and Strategy Management Specialist, Ashoka Poland, who presented the Local Communities Ready for Crisis project;

Anna Wawrzyniak and Olga Gładykowska – representatives of the Stefan Batory Foundation (“Local Democracy” program), who presented the When The Dams Break. On The State, Community, And Management In Crisis report;

Daniel Prędkopowicz, President of the Cooperation Fund Foundation Board and Europe and Us Association (Act Locally Center), who spoke about the project “Mazovia Resilient Locally” implemented as part of the NIW The Power of Small Communities program;

The presentation on social resilience was prepared and led by Dariusz Bobak, President of the Folkowisko Foundation, who specializes in coordinating teams in crisis situations, mobilizing local communities, and building cross-sector partnerships.  

Next, participants had the opportunity to jointly develop recommendations for specific actions to build social resilience, such as preparing local communities for various challenges and crises, or strengthening cooperation between residents, organizations, and local governments.

The next meeting took place on November 13 in Gdańsk. It was organized in cooperation with the Act Locally Center – Pokolenia Foundation from Tczew. Paweł Łukasiak, President of the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland, presented the “Act Locally” and  “PAFF Local Partnerships” programs that are managed by the Academy, while Artur Rajkowski, President of the Pokolenia Foundation, talked about the experiences of the Act Locally Center.

Representatives of the Słoneczna Galeria Foundation from Wysin, which conducts a number of activities aimed at social integration, also talked about their activities.

After Paweł Łukasiak’s presentation on social resilience, a world café workshop was held. The workshop participants unanimously emphasized that building social resilience is a complex and long-term process based on people — especially leaders — as well as efficient, empathetic institutions and active non-governmental organizations. Social relations, support networks, and partnerships are of key importance, as is knowledge about local resources and the competences of residents. Mental well-being, a sense of security, integration, and education — both formal and informal — were identified as the foundations for effective crisis response.

Upcoming meetings: Krakow (November 25, 2025), Wrocław (November 26, 2025), Poznań (December 1, 2025), Rzeszów (December 3, 2025), Łódź (December 10, 2025), Katowice (December 11, 2025), Szczecin (December 16, 2025), Olsztyn (December 18, 2025).