SKIP_TO
We are an independent NGO based in Poland.
Our mission is to build civic competences that enable every person - regardless of age, location or resources - to actively participate in public life.

Engaging and practice-based education for democracy

Areas of activity

We've had a real impact on:

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schools
where we have strengthened student self-governance
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libraries
which we taught how to develop volunteering and community cooperation while promoting reading
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youth councils
which we supported in their establishment and proper functioning
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Opinions on our activities

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  • Agnieszka Gawron-Smater, Councillor of the Łomianki Municipality, supervisor of the Youth Council

    Civis is about knowledge and experience. By working with the foundation, I have had the opportunity to co-create an important climate project with young people, while learning to build a relationship based on discussion and mutual respect.
  • Patrycja Karolczak, Councillor of the Youth Council of the Wielkopolska Region

    Civis is the spark that, through the support of youth councils, ignites passions and engages young people in building a better tomorrow. It has helped me create a pathway to active citizenship and positive change, giving me the knowledge and tools to shape the future of my community.
  • Agnieszka Giemza, Chairman of the Board, Centre for Local Europe Foundation

    The Foundation gave us a great deal of knowledge about the rights and responsibilities of youth organisations, providing opportunities for authentic and meaningful participation in public life.
  • Zuzanna Mrozik, Coordinator of volunteers at the Multimedia Library for Children and Young People No. XXXI in Warsaw

    I have never worked with so much support before. It was a wonderful and important experience for me. The training meetings dictated the pace of the process, but also gave a sense of security and reassurance that everything was being done professionally.
  • Anna Kurelska, Coordinator of the theatre pedagogy team at TR theatre in Warsaw

    The Warsaw Volunteers (Ochotnicy Warszawscy) training gave me professional knowledge and a lot of inspiration about what exactly can be done with volunteers in theatre. It was also very interesting to visit institutions that already have well-developed volunteering at home. It was very encouraging.
  • Iryna Yemets i Alla Vashchenkom, Teaching methodologists from Dnipro, Ukraine

    Over the past two years, we have trained a total of more than 600 teachers from the Dnipropetrovsk district in developing student self-governance. This would not have been possible had it not been for the materials prepared by Civis specifically for Ukrainian methodologists.
  • Anna Bartkowska, Justyna Piotrowska, Supervisors of the Student Council at the Vocational School Complex in Kurzętnik

    Working with the foundation has given us the knowledge and tools to support student self-governance. Through the training, we also learnt about good practices from other schools. The project has made our pupils have more self-confidence and a stronger sense of empowerment.
  • Marta Malinowska, Librarian at the Public Library in Puck

    The BLISKO programme initiated a gradual change in our library and gave it new perspectives. Thanks to the training, it has gone from being a poorly socially functioning facility to a space open to young people, with the establishment of a Youth Library Council.
  • Kacper Henschel, Councillor of the Oborniki Youth Town Council

    I have participated in the Foundation's activities - training, events - consistently for five years, starting with a project we did together during the pandemic.
    Civis' support is irreplaceable and the experience gained helps me in my daily work for my community.
  • Fabian Chyliński, Student of Mikołaj Kopernik Zespołu Szkół Inżynierii Środowiska i Usług in Elbląg

    Thanks to the foundation's project, we are creating a real democracy at school. We are preparing student council elections and organising a debate. Everyone has an equal right to have their say.
  • Maja Chudzikowska, Student of the Complex of Technical and Information Schools in Elbląg

    I think social projects - like the one I am participating in - are very important. As a student at a vocational school, I have the opportunity to speak out on issues that are important to me, and my opinion is finally not overlooked.
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Current projects

Libraries, Local community, Youth

Programme for the development of volunteering in the public libraries of the City of Warsaw

T_CALENDAR May 1, 2017 - December 5, 2024
Supporting Warsaw's libraries to develop volunteering from 2017.
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Libraries, Local community

Libraries close to local communities

T_CALENDAR August 12, 2021 - March 31, 2025
Strengthening the role of libraries as a ‘third place’ uniting the community with cultural activities, contributing to the development of active reading and cultural participation.
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Local community, Youth

Programme for the development of volunteering in non-formal educational institutions in the City of Warsaw

T_CALENDAR May 20, 2022 - December 5, 2024
Supporting Warsaw's non-formal educational institutions in the development of volunteering from 2022.
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Local community

Programme for the development of volunteering in the social welfare centres of the City of Warsaw

T_CALENDAR May 1, 2023 - December 5, 2024
Supporting Warsaw's welfare centres in the development of volunteering from 2022 onwards.
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Libraries, Local community, Youth Councils, Youth, School, Climate action

20th anniversary of the Civis Polonus Foundation

T_CALENDAR January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
We look forward to celebrating together!
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Local community

Programme for the development of volunteering in Warsaw theatres

T_CALENDAR May 1, 2024 - December 5, 2024
Supporting Warsaw theatres to develop volunteering from 2023 onwards.
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Local community

Programme for the development of volunteering in Warsaw's municipal institutions

T_CALENDAR May 1, 2024 - December 5, 2024
Promotion of voluntary activities among employees of city institutions
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Youth, School, Climate action

Global education for professionals

T_CALENDAR September 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Global education project aimed at teachers and students of vocational and technical schools.
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Youth, School

Civic education for professionals in Warsaw

T_CALENDAR September 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Civic education project aimed at Warsaw's vocational and technical schools.
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Our partners and sponsors

Available trainings

see all open trainings