Civis Polonus Foundation

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

Youth

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Education and civic activation of young people

School

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Practical and engaging citizenship education from the very beginning

Libraries

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Spaces for cultural, social and civic activities

Youth Councils

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Systematic civic action by young people in their community

Local community

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Community development in dialogue with residents

Climate action

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Active citizenship towards green transition

schools

where we have strengthened student self-governance

libraries

which we taught how to develop volunteering and community cooperation while promoting reading

youth councils

which we supported in their establishment and proper functioning

Opinions on our activities

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.