Nominations are now open for the Civic Leader of the Year 2026 Competition, which aims not only to recognize exceptional individuals who work for the benefit of others, but also to promote civic engagement and demonstrate that social involvement is a value in itself. Candidates may be nominated through September 11, 2026.
Community activism is a mindset
Just a dozen or so years ago, many people associated the word “community activist” with niche activities or work carried out at the expense of one’s private life. Today, it is increasingly becoming synonymous with agency, responsibility, and courage. These are people who do not wait for someone else to solve a problem but seek solutions themselves and engage others to act.
The growing number of grassroots initiatives, the expansion of volunteerism, local partnerships, and neighborhood-based efforts show that a new generation is emerging in Poland for whom social engagement is a natural part of everyday life. The importance of relationships, cooperation, and a willingness to act on behalf of others is increasingly emphasized. It is precisely this change that the Social Activist of the Year Competition aims to reinforce.
More than just a competition
The organizers emphasize that Civic Leader of the Year is not merely a competition. It marks the beginning of a nationwide social campaign aimed at enhancing the prestige of civic engagement and encouraging Poles to get involved in the life of their communities. “For many years, it was said that Poland’s greatest assets are entrepreneurship and creativity. Today, we see more and more clearly that an equally important asset is people who can build trust, cooperation, and mutual responsibility. We want to show that community activists aren’t just heroes on special occasions — they’re among us every day. The Civic Leader of the Year competition aims not only to recognize such individuals but also to inspire others to take action and demonstrate that social engagement is a source of pride,” says Paweł Łukasiak, president of the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland.
Who are we looking for?
The competition is open to individuals who, through their community involvement, are changing the lives of others and strengthening local communities. The organizers are looking for people who identify problems, initiate grassroots initiatives, build partnerships, and effectively engage others. Candidates may be nominated in three categories:
- local engagement,
- nationwide engagement,
- engagement in building social resilience.
Nominations may be submitted by NGOs, informal groups, and individuals. Informal groups and individuals must identify an organization that will provide a reference for the nominee.
Nominate your community leader!
The call for nominations will remain open until September 11, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Nominations must be submitted via the website spolecznikroku.pl
The winners will be announced during the final gala, which will take place on November 30, 2026, as part of the Social Engagement Festival at the Sofitel Warsaw Victoria Hotel.
A competition born from a gesture of sharing goodness
The history of the competition dates back to 1997, and it stands out among other social initiatives in Poland. It was inspired by Wisława Szymborska, who, after receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature, decided to allocate part of the prize money to social causes. Jacek Kuroń helped her bring this idea to life, giving rise to the Social Activist of the Year Competition.
The year 2026 marks a special milestone for the competition: the 30th anniversary of Wisława Szymborska’s Nobel Prize in Literature, the Year of Jacek Kuroń proclaimed by the European Solidarity Center, and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Defense Committee. This fall will also see the premiere of the film “Our Revolution: The Love Story of Grażyna and Jacek Kuroń,” which commemorates the legacy of one of the competition’s patrons.
Since 2009, the competition has been organized by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland, with Polish-American Freedom Foundation serving as the Main Partner and Founder.
In addition to selecting the winners, the Competition is accompanied by a nationwide campaign promoting pro-social attitudes and encouraging people to get involved in helping others.
Strategic partners in this year’s edition of the Competition: AMS, Agora Media Group
Supporting Partners: National Institute of Freedom and the Pro Bono Leaders Coalition
Media Partners: Gazeta Wyborcza (Main Partner), Gazeta.pl, tokfm, Radio Zet
The competition is co-organized by the Dobra Sieć Foundation.
