2025-11-16T13:53:20-06:00 2024-12-31 861065772 DELOITTE TAX LLP 111 MONUMENT CIRCLE STE 4200 INDIANAPOLIS IN 462045108 990 2024-01-01 522193529 POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION POLI 2125726271 250 PARK AVENUE 7TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10177 NORMAN E HASLUN III SECRETARY, TREASURER AND CFO 2125726271 2025-11-14 1 0 JEFFREY D FRANK P00287234 3174648600 2025-11-14 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JERZY KOZMINSKI 250 PARK AVENUE 7TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10177 63746748 0 X WWW.PAFW.PL X 1999 DE SCHEDULE O 13 6 0 6 1879 0 0 0 726433 878759 22631396 11724233 0 0 23357829 12602992 12266721 15805299 0 0 1810417 1989266 0 0 0 1374186 1384294 15451324 19178859 7906505 -6575867 300552265 318747695 8882438 10856009 291669827 307891686 X THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION SEEKS TO ADVANCE DEMOCRACY, CIVIL SOCIETY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN POLAND AND ULTIMATELY IN OTHER CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. 0 0 17451878 15805299 878759 SEE SCHEDULE O. 17451878 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 0 1 0 1 1 1 CJ PL 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 13 6 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X AGNIESZKA KWIATKOWSKA 2125726271 UL KRLOWEJ MARYSIEKI 48 WARSAW PL 02-954 JERZY KOZMINSKI PRESIDENT AND CEO, DIRECTOR 50.00 X X 191988 0 19764 ANDREW NAGORSKI CHAIRMAN, DIRECTOR 2.20 X 20000 0 0 ALFRED BIE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 16631 0 0 ANNA FORNALCZYK DIRECTOR 0.30 X 16631 0 0 KATARZYNA KIELI DIRECTOR 0.50 X 16631 0 0 KRZYSZTOF PAWLOWSKI DIRECTOR 0.60 X 16631 0 0 SYLWIA WILKOS DIRECTOR 0.80 X 16631 0 0 ANGELA BRAV DIRECTOR 0.40 X 0 0 0 GEOFFREY HOGUET DIRECTOR 1.20 X 0 0 0 JOSEPH C BELL DIRECTOR 0.90 X 0 0 0 KASNICKI JOHN TED DIRECTOR 1.10 X 0 0 0 SARA FORDEN DIRECTOR 0.40 X 0 0 0 STERPHEN MULL DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 GRZEGORZ JEDRYS DIRECTOR OF THE REP. OFFICE 40.00 X 153901 0 10490 NORMAN E HASLUN III TREASURER & CFO 11.50 X 121000 0 0 RADOSLAW JASINSKI PROGRAM DIRECTOR 40.00 X 114746 0 3110 684790 0 33364 4 0 1 1 MONTICELLO ASSOCIAT 1800 LARIMER STREET SUITE 2100 DENVER CO 80202 INVESTMENT MANAGER 225000 JOHN W BRISTOL &CO INC 48 WALL STREET 18TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 100052937 INVESTMENT MANAGER 101688 2 INTEREST FROM LOANS 523999 878759 878759 878759 2362458 1879 2360579 60505531 51143756 9361775 9361775 9361775 12602992 878759 1879 11722354 15805299 15805299 597886 281612 316274 1104863 792558 312305 99860 60899 38961 186657 113555 73102 93426 93426 110975 110975 329513 329513 57380 57380 73276 45994 27282 34067 21383 12684 19683 12355 7328 181879 112020 69859 66685 41857 24828 121726 121726 132660 83268 49392 23922 23922 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSS 80707 80707 VAT TAX AND PAFPIO CORP 57804 57804 OTHER 591 371 220 19178859 17451878 1726981 0 2264941 1206060 11952215 11522391 8310654 0 9566817 76781 5436410 1514830 3975325 3921580 58138203 84586131 201425335 212008517 4918775 5426235 300552265 318747695 248379 319712 8634059 10536297 8882438 10856009 X 291669827 307891686 291669827 307891686 300552265 318747695 X -6575867 23073071 -275345 X 0 1 X 1 0 1913359 1913359 2943849 1080450 1863399 537117 398129 138988 42085 36251 5834 3921580 DAVIDSON KEMPNER INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS, L.P. 28684787 F SELECT EQUITY OFFSHORE, LTD. 11076293 F ROCK SPRINGS CAPITAL OFFSHORE FUND LP 8699454 F COATUE OFFSHORE FUND, LTD. 21620096 F CAPE ANN GLOBAL DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND 10794467 F NUT TREE OFFSHORE FUND LTD. 13038110 F 1315 CAPITAL, LP 5186002 F ENCAP ENERGY CAPITAL FUND X-C, L.P. 2158157 F ENCAP ENERGY CAPITAL FUND IX-C, L.P. 1104155 F REDWOOD DRAWDOWN OFFSHORE FUND II, L.P. 305663 F LUXOR CAPITAL PARTNERS OFFSHORE LIQUIDATING SPV, LTD. 26948 F DURABLE CAPITAL OFFSHORE FUND LTD 10336739 F ETON PARK OVERSEAS FUND, LTD 3652 F MOONRISE VENTURE PARTNERS II LP 1850167 F STEPSTONE VC GLOBAL PARTNERS X (CAYMAN), L.P. 1233326 F FARALLON EQUITY PARTNERS LP 23782087 F SHERIDAN SQUARE OFFSHORE FUND LTD 12545176 F RA CAPITAL HEALTHCARE INTERNATIONAL FUND LTD 11379270 F TIGER GLOBAL PRIVATE INVESTMENT PARTNERS XIV LP 1224448 F REDWOOD DRAWDOWN OFFSHORE FUND III, LP 3161012 F TIGER GLOBAL PRIVATE INVESTMENT PARTNERS XV LP 1022977 F DURABLE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND LP 272898 F 1315 CAPITAL II, LP 5855504 F 1315 CAPITAL III PARALLEL, LP 477122 F SILCHESTER INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY TRUST 23808794 F 1315 CAPITAL EMERGING GROWTH & BUYOUT PARALLEL, LP 451384 F KLINE HILL PARTNERS OFFSHORE FEEDER FUND V LP 2157178 F WGI DEVELOPED MARKETS EX-U.S. FUND, LLC 9752651 F 212008517 34407996 22467982 -275345 22192637 12215359 387633 387633 12602992 18791226 0 18791226 387633 387633 19178859 PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: TRANSLATION -275,345. PART XI, LINE 2D: OTHER OF -$275,345 CONSISTS OF RE-MEASUREMENT RESULTING FROM THE RE-MEASUREMENT INTO U.S. DOLLARS OF POLISH ZLOTY DENOMINATED ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD BY THE U.S. FOUNDATION AND THE TRANSLATION FROM POLISH ZLOTYS TO U.S. DOLLARS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE U.S. FOUNDATION'S REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE AND PAFPIO. 1 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 1 16 GRANT-MAKING SEE SCHEDULE O 15805299 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 1 6 PROGRAM SERVICES PAFPIO EXPENSES 506361 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 0 0 INVESTMENTS 11361970 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 0 0 PROGRAM SERVICES PAFF&REP.OFFICE EXPENSES 2090506 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 0 0 PROGRAM-RELATED INVESTMENTS LOANS TO NGO'S 3921580 CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 0 0 INVESTMENTS 124874740 2 22 0 0 2 22 158560456 0 158560456 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) LEARNING SCHOOLS - RAISING THE QUALITY OF WORK THROUGH ADOPTING MODERN ORGANIZATIONAL SOLUTIONS AND EFFECTIVE TEACHING METHODS IN SCHOOLS.ENGLISH TEACHING - IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF ENGLISH TEACHING ADDRESSED TO CHILDREN, YOUTH, TEACHERS AND LOCAL LEADERS. 677691 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) THE THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES - SUPPORTING SENIOR CITIZEN ACTIVITIES. 437660 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES - EQUALIZING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH IN SMALL TOWNS/RURAL AREAS. 1052078 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES - YOUNG EXPLORERS' CLUBS - POPULARIZING EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND NATURAL SCIENCE IN SMALL TOWNS/RURAL AREAS. 74025 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) STUDENT VOLUNTEERS - CARRYING OUT EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS IN SMALL TOWNS/RURAL AREAS. 436693 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS - SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS FROM SMALL TOWNS/RURAL AREAS REQUIRING EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. 1461573 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS - ACTIVATING YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES/VOLUNTEERISM AND PROMOTING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EQUALIZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT. 64315 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) TEACHERS COLLEGE - INCREASING THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF POLISH TEACHERS' TRAINING SYSTEM. 1442992 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH - ENHANCING CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH'S EMPOWERMENT AND MENTAL RESILIENCE. 952589 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) PRO PUBLICO BONO - CREATING AN OFFER FOR THE LOCAL MEDIA JOURNALISTS INCLUDING TRAINING COURSES AND COUNSELING. IN THE LONG RUN, RESULTING IN THEIR INCREASED ENGAGEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. 871470 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) PRO PUBLICO BONO - CIVIC CONGRESS - SUPPORTING AN ANNUAL MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WHICH AIMS AT CREATING A PLATFORM FOR DISCUSSION AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AMONG REPRESENTATIVES OF DIFFERENT GENERATIONS, REGIONS AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS, AS WELL AS TARGETING CITIZENS' INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC LIFE FOR THE COMMON GOOD. 24801 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) PRO PUBLICO BONO - FUNDING AWARDS GIVEN WITH THE COMPETITION FOR LOCAL MEDIA CALLED SGL LOCAL PRESS 2022. 9469 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) SUPPORT FOR NGOS - MUTUAL INFORMATION SOCIETY - CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM AND RESOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT AND FOR NON-PROFITS, AND IT'S TECHNOLOGICAL PLATFORM. 641254 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) SUPPORT FOR NGOS - NGO ACADEMY - IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF MANAGEMENT, WORK EFFICIENCY, USING INTERNET AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION OF NGOS' EMPLOYEES AND ACTIVISTS. 469184 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) SUPPORT FOR NGOS - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF NGOS - PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY IN THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AREA FOR NGOS STAFF. 122730 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) ACT LOCALLY - SUPPORTING CIVIC INITIATIVES AND MOBILIZING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AROUND ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMMON GOOD; RELIEF FUND - SUPPORTING THE ACTIVITIES TAKEN IN YEARS 2020-21 RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19 STRUGGLE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 2302533 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN LIBRARIES IN RURAL AREAS AND SMALL TOWNS CONTRIBUTING TO DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL SOCIETIES AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS. 1194034 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) PAFF LEADERS - DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF INDIVIDUALS IN AID OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. 586540 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) ICT FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT - IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF THE STAFF AND ACTIVISTS OF NGOS REGARDING THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF NEW INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR RAISING THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AND QUALITY. 747042 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) GREEN LEADER - SUPPORTING LOCAL LEADERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE PROTECTION ACTIVITIES AND THE EFFECTIVE ACQUISITION OF EUROPEAN UNION FUNDS FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION. 546224 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) L. KIRKLAND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO CITIZENS OF OTHER EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FOR STUDIES IN POLAND WITH RESPECT TO DEMOCRACY, MARKET ECONOMY, AND CIVIL SOCIETY. 865042 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) REGION IN TRANSITION (RITA) - SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIC AND FREE-MARKET TRANSFORMATION IN COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER EASTERN BLOC (EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA). 12632 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) STUDY TOURS TO POLAND - SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIC AND FREE-MARKET TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER EASTERN BLOC THROUGH SHORT-TERM STUDY TOURS AND INTERNSHIPS FOR THEIR CITIZENS. 5155 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) STUDY TOURS TO POLAND - THE WARSAW EURO-ATLANTIC SUMMER ACADEMY AN ANNUAL EVENT, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER ANALYSTS, CIVIL SERVANTS, ADVISORS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THINK TANKS AND MEDIA COMING MAINLY FROM THE EU EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES FOR DEALING WITH THE SYSTEMIC TRANSFORMATIONS AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN THE REGION, INSTITUTIONS AND PROCESSES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AS WELL AS TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS. 64161 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE - SPECIAL GRANT PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE. SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AIMS TO ASSIST NGOS WHICH PROVIDE AID TO CIVILIANS IN UKRAINE, AS WELL AS REFUGEES WHO HAD FLED TO POLAND FROM THE WAR. 732821 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) MONITORING, EVALUATION, ANALYSES (MEVA) - CONDUCTING ANALYTICAL ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND IMPACT OF PAFF PROGRAMS. 8502 ELECTRONIC FUND/WIRE TRANSFER 0 4 19 1 0 1 1 1 0 PART I, LINE 2: SCHEDULE F, PART I, LINE 2: PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS OUTSIDE THE U.S.: A. GRANTEE SCREENING. THE FOUNDATION TAKES APPROPRIATE RISK-BASED PRECAUTIONS SO THAT ITS FUNDS ARE NOT USED TO SUPPORT TERRORISM OR OTHER IMPROPER ACTIVITIES. 1. THE FOUNDATION EVALUATES EACH PROPOSED GRANT TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT PRESENTS A RISK THAT THE FUNDS COULD BE DIVERTED TO IMPROPER ACTIVITIES AND THEN CONDUCTS PRE-GRANT SCREENING AND POST GRANT MONITORING ACCORDINGLY. RELEVANT FACTORS CONSIDERED TO EVALUATE THE RISK OF IMPROPER USE OF FUNDS INCLUDE: A. PRIOR EXPERIENCE OF THE FOUNDATION WITH THE GRANTEE, OR REFERENCES REGARDING THE GRANTEE FROM TRUSTED SOURCES; B. THE HISTORY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PROPOSED GRANTEE; C. WHETHER THE GRANTEE CURRENTLY RECEIVES FUNDS FROM OTHER U.S BASED CHARITIES, GOVERNMENTS, OR OTHER PARTIES THAT CONDUCT GRANTEE SCREENING; D. WHETHER THE GRANTEE OPERATES IN A REGION OR A SECTOR THAT INDICATES A HIGHER RISK OF IMPROPER USE OF FUNDS; E. WHETHER THE GRANT FUNDS ARE SUFFICIENTLY RESTRICTED THAT THE RISK OF DIVERSION TO INAPPROPRIATE USES IS LOW. 2. THE FOUNDATION TAKES ALL PRUDENT AND REASONABLE MEASURES THAT ARE FEASIBLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH INCLUDES A REASONABLE SEARCH OF PUBLIC INFORMATION (E.G., AN INTERNET SEARCH) TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE GRANT RECIPIENT IS SUSPECTED OF ACTIVITY RELATING TO TERRORISM, INCLUDING TERRORIST FINANCING OR OTHER IMPROPER ACTIVITIES. B. THE FOUNDATION'S GRANT MONITORING PROCEDURES INCLUDE: 1. EVALUATING COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF GRANT AGREEMENTS, WHICH INCLUDE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE GOALS OF A PROGRAM, BUDGETS FOR HOW GRANT FUNDS MAY BE SPENT, TIMING FOR COMPLETION OF PROGRAM GOALS, AND FUNDING SCHEDULES DESIGNED TO FUND THE PROGRAM TO MEET PROGRAM OBJECTIVES; 2. THE REQUIREMENT THAT GRANTEES ESTABLISH A SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNT FOR THE PROCEEDS OF FOUNDATION GRANTS; 3. THE REQUIREMENT THAT GRANTEES PROVIDE QUARTERLY PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORTS, DETAILED ACCOUNTING REPORTS THAT COMPARE ACTUAL SPENDING TO BUDGET, AND A HISTORY OF ACTUAL BANK ACCOUNT ACTIVITY AND BANK BALANCES; SELECTED TRANSACTIONS ARE VERIFIED; 4. NEW GRANTEES ARE EVALUATED BY THE PROGRAM STAFF AND GRANT CONTROLLER DURING AN ON-SITE VISIT OR VISITS OR REMOTELY, DURING WHICH AN UNDERSTANDING IS OBTAINED WITH RESPECT TO ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS AND STANDARDS AND THE FOUNDATION'S EXPECTATIONS ARE COMMUNICATED TO THE GRANTEE WITH REGARD TO PROGRAM FINANCIAL IMPLEMENTATION; AND 5. PROGRAM STAFF MONITOR GRANTEES ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THE GRANTS CONTROLLER PERIODICALLY VISITS GRANTEES OR SCHEDULES REMOTE MEETINGS, REVIEWS ORIGINAL FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS, AND VERIFIES IF GRANTEES RESPECT FINANCIAL STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE AGREED WITH THE FOUNDATION. C. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS ("MEVA") PROGRAM: THE PURPOSE OF THE MEVA PROGRAM IS TO CONDUCT REGULAR ANALYTICAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE FOUNDATION TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND IMPACT OF THE FOUNDATION'S OPERATIONS AND TO EVALUATE THEIR RELEVANCE. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO ANSWER SUCH QUESTIONS AS: (1) HAVE THE FOUNDATION'S DEFINED OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED, RESOURCES INVESTED, RESULTS ACHIEVED AND BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMS BEEN ADEQUATE/RELEVANT TO THE SITUATIONS IDENTIFIED AS PROBLEMS/ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED?, (2) HAVE THE PROBLEMS/ISSUES BEEN PROPERLY IDENTIFIED?, (3) HAVE THE ACTIONS BEEN EFFICIENT?, (4) HOW LONG AND HOW DEEPLY SHOULD THE FOUNDATION BE INVOLVED IN A GIVEN INITIATIVE? ANOTHER AIM OF THE MEVA PROGRAM IS TO EXPLORE FUTURE UNDERTAKINGS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF EXISTING AND PROSPECTIVE SOCIAL NEEDS, CONGRUENT WITH THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION. THE MEVA PROGRAM ALSO CONDUCTS CROSS-SECTIONAL RESEARCH OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF CURRENT PROGRAMS AND THEIR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE PARTICULAR PROGRAMS AS WELL AS STRENGTHEN THEIR SYNERGIES AND JOINT IMPACT. A FURTHER GOAL IS TO MONITOR THE CONTINUED ACTIVITIES THAT WERE INITIATED WITHIN THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN TERMINATED. SCHEDULE F, PART II, LINE 3: GRANT COMMITMENTS LISTED IN PART II, LINE 1, ARE REPORTED BY PROGRAM. IN CERTAIN CASES, THE SAME GRANTEE RECEIVED GRANTS FROM THE FOUNDATION FOR MORE THAN ONE PROGRAM. IN THOSE CASES EACH GRANT IS LISTED SEPARATELY IN PART II, LINE 1. CERTAIN PROGRAMS WERE MANAGED BY TWO GRANTEES DURING THE YEAR. IN THOSE CASES THE GRANT IS LISTED TWICE IN PART II, LINE 1 . PART I, LINE 3(F) AND PART II: THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHEDULE F, PART I, LINE 3(F) PROVIDE THAT EXPENDITURES INCLUDE "...GRANTS TO OR FOR RECIPIENTS LOCATED IN THE REGION... AND THAT EXPENDITURES SHOULD BE REPORTED "...BASED ON THE METHOD USED TO ACCOUNT FOR THEM ON THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND DESCRIBE THIS METHOD IN PART V." IN THE FOUNDATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, GRANT COMMITMENTS ARE RECORDED AS GRANT EXPENSE IN THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES WHEN THE GRANT IS APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICIES SET BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN FINALIZED WITH THE GRANTEE, AND THE PARTIES HAVE SIGNED THE GRANT AGREEMENT. GRANT COMMITMENTS ARE REPORTED ON THE ACCRUAL BASIS IN THE FOUNDATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IN SCHEDULE F. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION REPORTED GRANT COMMITMENTS OF $15,805,299 IN ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WHICH IS NET OF THE CANCELLATION OF $183,563 OF GRANT COMMITMENTS REPORTED IN SCHEDULE F, PART II IN THE FOUNDATION'S PRIOR YEARS FORM 990S; IN ADDITION, THE $15,805,299 OF GRANT COMMITMENTS REPORTED IN THE FOUNDATION'S 2024 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDE IN TOTAL $2,090 OF GRANT COMMITMENTS THAT ARE LOWER THAN $5,000 AND THEREFORE ARE NOT REPORTED IN SCHEDULE F ($2,090 INCLUDES ONE COMMITMENT). IN THE FOUNDATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, GRANT COMMITMENTS INCREASE GRANTS PAYABLE AND PAYMENTS OF CASH GRANTS DECREASE GRANTS PAYABLE. THE NET CHANGE IN GRANTS PAYABLE IS REPORTED AS AN INCREASE OR DECREASE IN GRANTS PAYABLE IN CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES IN THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS. X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 JERZY KOZMINSKI PRESIDENT AND CEO, DIRECTOR 191988 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19764 0 211752 0 0 0 GRZEGORZ JEDRYS DIRECTOR OF THE REP. OFFICE 153901 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10490 0 164391 0 0 0 NORMAN E HASLUN III TREASURER & CFO 121000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 121000 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION A, LINE 5 AND SCHEDULE J: NORMAN E. HASLUN III RECEIVED COMPENSATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 121,000 PAID OR ACCRUED BY NORLUND, INC. FOR SERVICES RENDERED TO POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION. THE FOUNDATION HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH NORLUND PURSUANT TO WHICH NORLUND PROVIDES THE SERVICES OF MR. HASLUN. FOR 2024 NORLUND ISSUED INVOICES TO THE FOUNDATION FOR A TOTAL OF $121,176 OF WHICH $121,000 WAS FOR THE CONSULTATION SERVICES OF MR. HASLUN , WHO SERVES AS TREASURER, SECRETARY AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE FOUNDATION AND $176 WAS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. SCHEDULE J, PART I, LINE 3: THE PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION IS EVALUATED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHO EVALUATE THE COMPENSATION LEVEL AND COMPARABLE COMPENSATION OF CEO'S OF COMPARABLE FOUNDATIONS. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE DEVELOPS A RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR APPROVAL. THE PRESIDENT IS NOT PART OF ANY OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OR BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISCUSSIONS REGARDING HIS COMPENSATION. MINUTES OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS ARE PREPARED AND RETAINED. SCHEDULE J, PART II: THE PRESIDENT'S SALARY WAS PAID PARTLY IN U.S. DOLLARS AND PARTLY IN POLISH ZLOTYS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENT TO ALLOCATE A PART OF HIS SALARY TO PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS; IN 2024 THE PRESIDENT ALLOCATED NONE OF HIS SALARY TO PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS. THE PRESIDENT WAS PROVIDED WITH OTHER BENEFITS TOTALING $19,764 PRINCIPALLY MEDICAL INSURANCE AND MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT. NORMAN E HASLUN III TREASURER, SECRETARY AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF PAFF 121176 SEE PART V 0 PART IV, LINE 1: MR. NORMAN E. HASLUN III OWNS NORLUND, INC 100%. THE FOUNDATION HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH NORLUND, PURSUANT TO WHICH NORLUND PROVIDES THE SERVICES OF MR. HASLUN. FOR 2024 NORLUND ISSUED INVOICES TO THE FOUNDATION FOR A TOTAL OF $121,176 OF WHICH $121,000 WAS FOR THE CONSULTING SERVICES OF MR. HASLUN AND $176 WAS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. MR. HASLUN SERVES AS TREASURER, SECRETARY AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE FOUNDATION. FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1 THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION SEEKS TO ADVANCE DEMOCRACY, CIVIL SOCIETY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN POLAND AND ULTIMATELY IN OTHER CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A: THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION'S (THE "FOUNDATION OR "PAFF") PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE AND ONE PROGRAM SERVICE IS TO ADVANCE THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 201(A) OF THE SUPPORT FOR EAST EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY ACT BY CONTINUING AND BUILDING UPON CERTAIN ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE POLISH-AMERICAN ENTERPRISE FUND (THE "FUND"), AND TO UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENTAL INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO SOLIDIFY POLAND'S TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY AND FREE MARKETS. IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE THE FOUNDATION FOCUSES ITS EFFORTS ON (I) MAKING INVESTMENTS IN AND GRANTS (INCLUDING MATCHING GRANTS) AND/OR LOANS TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS, NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT POLAND; AND (II)SPONSORING SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS, STUDENT LOANS AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT POLAND, BY ALLOCATING ITS RESOURCES TO SUPPORT PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREAS OF ECONOMIC REFORM, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, FOSTERING CIVIL SOCIETY, AND SUPPORTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LEGAL REFORM. THE FOUNDATION CONCENTRATES ITS EFFORTS IN THREE TARGETED AREAS OF SUPPORT OF ITS PROGRAM SERVICE: I. INITIATIVES IN EDUCATION II. DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES III. SHARING POLISH EXPERIENCES IN TRANSFORMATION PRESENTED BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:PROGRAMS AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2024 INITIATIVES IN EDUCATION ENGLISH TEACHING SINCE 2000 THIS PROGRAM HAS INITIATED AND SUPPORTED ACTIONS TO PROMOTE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND IMPROVE ITS TEACHING STANDARDS AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES, THUS STRENGTHENING THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OVERALL. AT THE SAME TIME, THE PROGRAM FOSTERS THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH TEACHERS WORKING IN SMALL TOWNS AND RURAL AREAS. PROMOTING LEARNING ENGLISH, "ENGLISH TEACHING" ALSO STIMULATES AND DEVELOPS A VARIETY OF SOCIAL INITIATIVES. THEIR RESULTS OFTEN SURPASS THE INITIAL GOAL, LEADING TO THE GENERAL STIMULATING OF ACTIVITY IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS AIMED MOSTLY AT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS WORKING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS BASED IN RURAL AREAS AND SMALL TOWNS. IN THE PAST MANY INITIATIVES WERE ORGANIZED AT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS, BUT THOSE SCHOOLS NO LONGER EXIST. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES TRAINING SESSIONS FOR TEACHERS, COUPLED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS WITH THEIR PUPILS; IT ALSO PROVIDES HELP IN PREPARING THESE ACTIONS. BETWEEN 2000 AND 2024, GRANT COMPETITIONS ADDRESSED TO SMALL-TOWN SCHOOLS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FUNDED 1,284 PROJECTS TO ORGANIZE SCHOOL CLUBS FOR FANS OF ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, CREATE LIBRARIES WITH ENGLISH LITERATURE AND PRESS, AND FORM THEATRICAL CLUBS. THE PROGRAM LED TO ORGANIZING NUMEROUS CONTESTS FOCUSED ON ANGLO-SAXON WRITERS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY, AS WELL AS SONG FESTIVALS. CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS WERE INVITED TO WATCH ENGLISH FILMS AND TAKE PART IN LESSONS WITH NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH. MORE THAN 75,000 PUPILS AND NEARLY 5,000 TEACHERS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECTS DIRECTLY, AND OVER 200,000 PARENTS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES WERE ENGAGED INDIRECTLY. SUMMER LANGUAGE CAMPS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE ALSO ORGANIZED, WHICH ATTRACTED OVER 2,000 PARTICIPANTS FROM 2006 TO 2024. "WEEKENDS WITH ENGLISH TEACHING" ARE METHODOLOGY TRAINING SESSIONS FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS BASED IN TOWNS AND VILLAGES WITH POPULATIONS OF UP TO 20,000. TO DATE, 169 SUCH TRAINING SESSIONS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR A TOTAL OF 7,800 PARTICIPANTS. 20 NATION-WIDE EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS ENGLISH TEACHING MARKETS WERE ORGANIZED FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF INTERESTED INSTITUTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND PUBLISHING HOUSES; THEY ATTRACTED MORE THAN 9,000 ATTENDEES. THESE ANNUAL MEETINGS HELP EXPAND THE COOPERATION NETWORK OF ENGLISH TEACHERS FROM SMALLER LOCALITIES; THEY ARE BACKED UP WITH A SOCIAL MEDIA PORTAL AND REGULAR E-NEWS ABOUT OTHER EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, SUCH AS GRANTS FOR PROJECTS, TRAINING, OR CONTESTS. IN 2024 OVER 300 PARTICIPANTS TOOK PART IN THE JUBILEE XX ENGLISH TEACHING MARKET. THE POLISH ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF "ENGLISH TEACHING" WAS FOUNDED IN 2015, DEVELOPED FROM THE "ENGLISH TEACHING AMBASSADORS" INITIATIVE THE MOST ACTIVE TEACHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM. ITS MAIN PURPOSE IS THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH TEACHERS FROM SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN PARTICULAR, AS WELL AS ADVOCATING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES THERE. ENGLISH TEACHERS WHO COOPERATED WITH THE PROGRAM WERE PROVIDED SUPPORT IN TERMS OF METHODOLOGY AND TECHNIQUES OF REMOTE TEACHING. LANGUAGE PROJECTS FOR STUDENTS WERE MOSTLY CARRIED OUT ONLINE. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE NIDZICA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION "NIDA" ENGLISHTEACHING.ORG.PL EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM, INITIATED IN 2001, IS TO SUPPORT SOCIAL INITIATIVES ADDRESSED TO RURAL AND SMALL-TOWN CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN ORDER TO EQUALIZE THEIR CHANCES FOR A GOOD START TO ADULT LIFE BY INCREASING THEIR COMPETENCIES AND DEVELOPING THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS, SUCH AS TEAMWORK, WINNING THE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH ESTABLISHED GOALS, AND PLANNING ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE THEM. AS PART OF THE PROGRAM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, CULTURAL CENTERS, LIBRARIES, AND INFORMAL GROUPS APPLY FOR GRANTS FOR PROJECTS THAT STIMULATE THE ASPIRATIONS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, ARE CONDUCIVE TO THE FULFILLMENT OF THE REALISTIC GOALS THEY SET ON THEIR OWN, HELP COPE WITH EMOTIONS, DEVELOP ACTIVE ATTITUDES AND OPENNESS, AND ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGE ACTING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE PROJECTS GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASSES EXTENDING BEYOND THE STANDARD EDUCATIONAL OFFER OF THEIR SCHOOLS. IN 2024, THE "LARGE GRANTS AND "SMALL GRANTS" COMPETITIONS CHANNELED FUNDING TO A TOTAL OF 154 PROJECTS. THESE INCLUDED INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN FORM OF VARIOUS CAMPAIGNS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES (CROWDFUNDING, CLEANING AND SEGREGATION OF RUBBISH, EDUCATING ON HEALTHY EATING), RECLAIMING PUBLIC SPACE BY THE YOUNG (E.G. BY PAINTING MURALS, OR TAKING CARE OF URBAN GREEN SPACES), BROADENING THE SCOPE OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH, E.G., BY ORGANIZING OUTDOOR URBAN GAMES OR STAGING THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS TRAINING FOR PROJECT COORDINATORS TO INCREASE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, TEACH PROJECT MANAGEMENT WITH A FOCUS ON ENGAGING YOUTH AS ACTIVE CREATORS, PARTICIPANTS, AND DIRECT IMPLEMENTERS OF A GIVEN UNDERTAKING. THE PROGRAM OFFER IS COMPLETE WITH THE SUMMER SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LEADERS, WHOSE EVERY EDITION ATTRACTS MORE THAN 20 PARTICIPANTS OF "EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES" PROJECTS. AT THE SUMMER SCHOOL, YOUNG PEOPLE SPEND A WEEK OF THEIR HOLIDAYS AT WORKSHOPS WHERE THEY CAN LEARN HOW TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT SOCIAL ACTIONS MORE EFFECTIVELY AND IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE IN THE FIELD OF CIVIC EDUCATION. OVER 24 YEARS OF THE PROGRAM, OVER 3,500 PROJECTS WERE CARRIED OUT WITH ALMOST 156,000 PARTICIPANTS (INDIRECTLY: 575,000 PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED). THE PROGRAM ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACTIVATION AND INTEGRATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ACT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH. OVER THE YEARS, THE PROGRAM EVOLVED FROM AN INITIATIVE FOCUSED MAINLY ON EXTENDING KNOWLEDGE AND HORIZONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN VILLAGES AND SMALL TOWNS INTO THE FULL-FLEDGED PROGRAM AIMED AT DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS. THE YEAR 2024 SAW THE FOURTH "READY FOR THE FUTURE" CAMPAIGN, WHICH SEEKS TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS CAN COOPERATE, AS WELL AS EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE DAUNTING CHALLENGES FACING YOUTH TODAY. ABOVE ALL, THE CAMPAIGN FOCUSES ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE, THEIR PEER AND ADULT-YOUTH RELATIONS, AS WELL AS DEVELOPING SKILLS INDISPENSABLE FOR NAVIGATING THE CONTEMPORARY LABOR MARKET. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A IN 20222023, ONET.PL WAS THE MEDIA PARTNER OF THE "READY FOR THE FUTURE" CAMPAIGN. IN 2024, THIS ROLE WAS PASSED ON TO THE GONIEC WEBSITE; AND THE ORANGE FOUNDATION, MARTYNA WOJCIECHOWSKA'S UNAWEZA FOUNDATION AND THE SCHOOL WITH CLASS FOUNDATION JOINED THE GROUP OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS MONIKA HORNA-CIELAK AND UNICEF POLSKA HAVE EXTENDED HONORARY PATRONAGE OVER THE CAMPAIGN. THE "EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES" PROGRAM IS THE WINNER OF THE JANUSZ KORCZAK AWARD IN THE "INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS" CATEGORY IN 2023. THE AIM OF THE AWARD, ORGANIZED BY THE KORCZAK UNIVERSITY ACADEMY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, IS TO PROMOTE JANUSZ KORCZAK'S IDEAS AND SUPPORT CHANGES IN EDUCATION BY REWARDING INSTITUTIONS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLE OF EMPOWERING CHILDREN, AS WELL AS SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS, AND CREATING ENVIRONMENTS FAVORABLE TO A HAPPY CHILDHOOD. THE PROGRAM ENABLES THE FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT THE YOUNG EXPLORER CLUBS INITIATIVE, WHICH IS A CONTINUATION OF A MODEL PROJECT INITIATED AS PART OF THE PROGRAM IN 2002 BY THE EDUCATION SOCIETY OF KODZKO, NOW CARRIED OUT BY THE COPERNICUS SCIENCE CENTER. THE PURPOSE OF THE YOUNG EXPLORER CLUBS IS TO ATTRACT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE SCIENCES. THE CLUB FORMAT HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION USING SIMPLE, EASILY AVAILABLE MATERIALS. THE YEAR 2024 SAW THE 13TH INTERNATIONAL YOUNG EXPLORER CLUBS FORUM, HELD AT THE COPERNICUS SCIENCE CENTER IN WARSAW. THE EVENT GATHERED CA. 300 PEOPLE FROM ARMENIA, GEORGIA, MOLDOVA, ROMANIA AND UKRAINE, AS WELL AS ETHIOPIA, ISRAEL, KENYA AND CUBA. THE FORUM IS A CONTACT AND EXPERIENCE-SHARING PLATFORM WHICH PROMOTES THE CLUBS. NEARLY 1,300 UNITS BELONG TO THE YEC NETWORK; OVER 200 OF THEM OPERATE IN GEORGIA AND SEVERAL DOZEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THE POLISH CHILDREN AND YOUTH FOUNDATION WAS PROGRAM MANAGER FROM 2001 TO 2020. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE CIVIS POLONUS FOUNDATION ROWNACSZANSE.PL LEARNING SCHOOLS (LES) COMPREHENSIVE ACTION TO IMPROVE POLISH EDUCATION, USING THE BEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT UNDER THIS PROGRAM SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2000. THE QUALITY OF SCHOOLS IMPROVES MOSTLY THANKS TO TRAINING DELIVERED TO TEACHERS AND HEADMASTERS, IN RURAL AREAS AND SMALL TOWNS IN PARTICULAR. THE "LES" TRAINING OFFER INCLUDES LONG-TERM ACTIONS FOR HOLISTIC SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT, YEAR-LONG E-LEARNING COURSES FOR TEACHERS, AND ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHING STAFF. "LES" ALSO COOPERATES WITH COLLEGIUM CIVITAS TO OFFER POSTGRADUATE COURSES FOR EDUCATION LEADERS. "LES" INTRODUCES AN ORIGINAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM INTO THE DAILY OPERATION OF SCHOOLS, WHICH IMPROVES TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS AND SUPPORTS PUPILS' LEARNING OUTCOMES. THE SYSTEM IS BASED ON FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT AND OTHER TEACHING STRATEGIES FOCUSED ON STUDENTS. BY ENCOURAGING LEARNERS AND TEACHERS TO BECOME PARTNERS IN LEARNING, THE SYSTEM DEVELOPS LEARNING SKILLS, STRENGTHENS INTERNAL MOTIVATION, AND GIVES CHILDREN AND YOUTH A SENSE OF AUTHORSHIP. PARTICIPATION IN "LES" PROGRAM IS BENEFICIAL FOR THE WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GETTING KNOWLEDGE PROCESS AND ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR ADULTHOOD; TEACHERS DEVELOP WAYS TO PERFECT THEIR PERFORMANCE AND LEARN INNOVATIVE METHODS OF WORKING; SCHOOL DIRECTORS GET COMPETENCIES NECESSARY TO RUN A MODERN SCHOOL; AND SCHOOLS BUILD GOOD RELATIONS IN THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT. THE SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM IMPROVE THE TEACHERS' WORK, MONITOR RESULTS OF ACTIVITIES, AND SHARE BEST PRACTICES WITH EACH OTHER. AS A RESULT, THE "LEARNING SCHOOLS" PROGRAM IMPROVES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHING AND LEARNING, ORGANIZING THE FUNCTIONING OF A SCHOOL AS "A LEARNING INSTITUTION", INCREASING THE COMPETENCIES AND AUTONOMY OF TEACHING STAFF, AND PROMOTING COOPERATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND ITS OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT. IN THE COURSE OF 24 YEARS THE PROGRAM GATHERED SOME 12,000 SCHOOLS, OF WHICH 1,600 PARTICIPATED IN ITS CORE OPERATIONS THAT AIMED AT INTRODUCING FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT AND OTHER TEACHING STRATEGIES. NEARLY 200,000 TEACHERS AND NEARLY 11,000 SCHOOL PRINCIPALS BENEFITED FROM TRAINING OFFERED BY VARIOUS "LES" COMPONENTS. OVER THE LAST YEARS THE PROGRAM OFFER HAS BEEN EXTENDED. THE CHANGES STARTED BY THE NATIONAL EDUCATION MINISTRY IN 2017, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND THE WAR IN UKRAINE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLUX OF REFUGEES TO POLAND MADE IT NECESSARY TO ENSURE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS. TO THIS END, "LES" ADDED "RESILIENT SCHOOL" INITIATIVE TO ITS PORTFOLIO. THE OBJECTIVE BEHIND THIS NEW INITIATIVE IS TO CREATE A NETWORK OF SCHOOLS, ENHANCE TEACHER SKILLS, AND IMPROVE THE POSITION OF HEADMASTERS IN THE AREA OF MANAGING THE SCHOOL IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY. SO FAR, OVER 10,000 PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN PART IN THESE ACTIVITIES. AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROMOTE THE OUTCOMES OF EXPERT ANALYSES AND PRESENT BEST PRACTICES IN EDUCATION, PUPIL GUIDANCE, AND SCHOOL ORGANIZATION. FROM THE BEGINNING, THEY ARE ACTIVELY USED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND THE "LES" EXPERTS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN WORK AND CONSULTATIONS ON NEW CURRICULAR AND LEGAL SOLUTIONS. THIS ACTIVITY INTENSIFIED NOTABLY IN 2024 ON THE INITIATIVE OF THE POLISH MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION. THE MANY YEARS OF "LES" EXPERIENCE IS ALSO USED IN VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES FINANCED FROM EU FUNDS. THESE INCLUDE: "THE STUDENT ACADEMY," "DIGITAL SCHOOL," "THE LEARNING SCHOOLS ACADEMY FOR EDUCATION LEADERS, AND THE "SCHOOL FOR THE INNOVATOR". THE PURPOSE OF THESE INITIATIVES IS TO DEVELOP COMPETENCIES WHICH STUDENTS WILL NEED IN ADULT LIFE, BY PROMOTING INNOVATIVE TEACHING, ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION METHODS AMONG TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, AND BY RESHAPING THE ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLWORK. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FOUNDATION SUS.CEO.ORG.PL PAFF AND UW SCHOOL OF EDUCATION THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION IS A JOINT UNDERTAKING OF THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW. THE IDEA AND CURRICULUM WERE DESIGNED IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE IN NEW YORK. PAFF & UW SCHOOL OF EDUCATION (SE) IS THE ONLY NON-REMOTE, FULL-TIME POST-GRADUATE COURSE IN POLAND GRANTING TEACHING CERTIFICATES. SCHOOL OF EDUCATION STUDENTS MAY APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP COVER THE COSTS OF LIVING AND A PLACE IN A UW DORMITORY. DAILY IN-SCHOOL TEACHING PRACTICE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF SE TEACHER TRAINING. STUDENTS SPEND TIME IN BOTH ACADEMIC CLASSES AND A SCHOOL CLASSROOM. THEY OBSERVE LESSONS, CO-TEACH, TEACH ON THEIR OWN, AND TAKE PART IN MEETINGS OF TEACHER BOARDS AND PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES. THE EXPERIENCE GAINED AT SCHOOLS ARE THEN REGULARLY DISCUSSED DURING ACADEMIC CLASSES. THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE QUALITY OF IN-SCHOOL APPRENTICESHIPS BY CLOSELY COOPERATING WITH A NETWORK OF 40 SELECTED SCHOOLS IN WARSAW AND VICINITY. 100 TEACHERS FROM THESE SCHOOLS REGULARLY PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATION MEETINGS. SE TUTORS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH ONE-TO-ONE TUTORING. ACADEMIC SESSIONS ARE HELD IN SMALL GROUPS, WHERE MAJOR FOCUS IS PLACED ON DISCUSSING AND SYSTEMATICALLY REFLECTING ON STUDENT PROGRESS. TUTORS HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH IN-SCHOOL WORK, ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR, AND OFFER A RANGE OF PERSPECTIVES: TEACHER-PRACTITIONERS, ACADEMICS, AND EDUCATION SUPPORTERS. THE SE LECTURERS COME FROM DIFFERENT ACADEMIC CENTERS AND HAS UNDERGONE TRAINING BY LEADING AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN EXPERTS IN TEACHER EDUCATION. THE 9TH ROUND (COVERING THE 2023/24 ACADEMIC YEAR) ATTRACTED 25 STUDENTS WHO PURSUED ONE OF THE FOUR EDUCATION PATHS: POLISH STUDIES, MATHEMATICS, HISTORY AND CIVIC EDUCATION, AS WELL AS BIOLOGY AND NATURAL SCIENCE. ANOTHER GROUP OF 26 STUDENTS COMMENCED STUDIES IN SEPTEMBER 2024. A NEW INITIATIVE "PAFF AND UW MASTERS OF EDUCATION SCHOOL" WAS LAUNCHED IN THE 2024/25 ACADEMIC YEAR. THIS POST-GRADUATE COURSE IS ADDRESSED TO 60 IN-SERVICE-TEACHERS WITH A PROFICIENT PROFESSIONAL SKILL-SET WHO WISH TO INTRODUCE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS CONDUCIVE TO TEACHER AND PUPIL DEVELOPMENT. THE COURSE, IMPLEMENTED IN EXTRA-MURAL AND HYBRID FORM, OFFERS FOUR AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION: POLISH LANGUAGE, HISTORY, CIVICS, AND MATHEMATICS, PLUS CLASS MANAGEMENT (PROVIDED TO TEACHERS OF ALL SUBJECTS). THE MATHEMATICAL PATH IS FUNDED BY THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A THE PAFF AND UW SCHOOL OF EDUCATION OFFERS LONG-TERM SUPPORT FOR MORE THAN 220 ALUMNI AND ALSO PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN SECURING A TEACHING JOB. FORMER STUDENTS HAVE ONGOING CONTACT WITH SE LECTURERS, REGULARLY REFINING THEIR METHODS AND SHARING TEACHING EXPERIENCES. EDUCATION FACILITIES THAT HIRE THE ALUMNI ARE WELCOME TO BENEFIT FROM THE RICH TRAINING OFFER OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION. SINCE 2017 THE SCHOOL HAS ADDED TO ITS OFFER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS IN TEACHING LITERATURE AND POLISH, MATHEMATICS, BIOLOGY, HISTORY, AS WELL AS DIDACTIC AND COMMUNICATION COMPETENCIES. THE 2023/24 ACADEMIC YEAR THE COURSES WERE ATTENDED BY 225 PEOPLE. EVER SINCE 2023, THE PROGRAM TAPS INTO THE "THINKING CLASS" EXPERIENCE. THIS INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHOD WAS DESIGNED BY A CANADIAN MATH TEACHING EXPERT, PROFESSOR PETER LIJLEDAHL OF THE SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY IN VANCOUVER, CANADA. AFTER BEING TRAINED BY PROF. LIJLEDAHL, SE MENTORS HOLD WORKSHOPS TO INTRODUCE THIS METHOD TO ALL LESSONS NOT JUST MATH, BUT POLISH, HISTORY, AND BIOLOGY AS WELL. A TOTAL OF ABOUT 1,500 TEACHERS HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE WORKSHOPS TO DATE. ADDITIONALLY, UNDER THE PROGRAM THE RESEARCH IS CARRIED OUT TO SCIENTIFICALLY VERIFY THIS METHOD AND RELATED TEACHING TOOLS USED AT THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION. TRIED-AND-TESTED PRACTICES ARE PROMOTED NOT JUST AT SCHOOLS BUT ALSO AT OTHER UNIVERSITIES AND TEACHER DEVELOPMENT CENTERS. IN 2024 NEARLY 7,000 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED CONFERENCES, TRAINING SESSIONS, AND WEBINARS WHICH SHOWCASED SE METHODS AND TOOLS USED IN WORK WITH STUDENTS. THE FOUNDATION FOR QUALITY EDUCATION, ESTABLISHED BY PAFF IN 2014, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE FOUNDATION FOR QUALITY EDUCATION SZKOLAEDUKACJI.PL PROJECTOR STUDENT VOLUNTEERS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO EQUALIZE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM VILLAGES AND SMALL TOWNS. UNDER THIS PROGRAM, GROUPS OF VOLUNTEER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CARRY OUT PROJECTS THAT EXPAND KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PERSONAL INTERESTS OF CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS. THE PROJECTS ARE CARRIED OUT IN FREE TIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND DURING SUMMER AND WINTER HOLIDAYS. THEY FOCUS ON SEVERAL LEADING TOPICS, INCLUDING: RESPONSIBLE USE OF THE INTERNET, ECOLOGY, AS WELL AS BUILDING AND MAINTAINING SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS. THE PROGRAM ENCOURAGES PUPILS TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS BY PROMOTING POSITIVE ROLE MODELS AND SHAPING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SOLIDARITY, WHILE PROVIDING THEM WITH AN ATTRACTIVE WAY TO DISCOVER AND FOLLOW THEIR PASSIONS. SINCE 2003 MORE THAN 45,000 EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED ACROSS POLAND IN ABOUT 3,000 SCHOOLS WITH OVER 16,000 STUDENT- VOLUNTEERS, INVOLVING NEARLY 467,000 PUPILS. IN 2024, MORE THAN 700 STUDENT-VOLUNTEERS CARRIED OUT ALMOST 1,800 EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS FOR NEARLY 10,000 PUPILS AT 250 PRIMARY SCHOOLS. MORE THAN HALF HAD PARTICIPATED IN "BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS; FOR MANY, THIS PROGRAM WAS THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY. IN 2022, NEARLY 100 STUDENT-VOLUNTEERS BECAME INVOLVED IN ABOUT 600 EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS FOR MORE THAN 3,000 UKRAINIAN CHILDREN AT 93 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. THE PROGRAM OFFER IS SUPPLEMENTED WITH EKAMPUS.PL, A DIGITAL PLATFORM WITH EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR VOLUNTEERS TO USE IN THEIR PROJECTS. THE PROGRAM GAINED SUPPORT FROM TWO FORMER PRIME MINISTERS: PROFESSOR JERZY BUZEK AND PROFESSOR MAREK BELKA WHO, DURING THE 2007 SUMMER HOLIDAYS, TOOK ON THE ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS AND TAUGHT CLASSES FOR SCHOOL PUPILS IN SEVERAL RURAL COMMUNES. IN 2012, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CHANCELLERY OF PRESIDENT BRONISAW KOMOROWSKI, THE MODERN PATRIOTISM PROJECT WAS CARRIED OUT AS PART OF THE PROGRAM WHERE CHANCELLERY MINISTERS AND ADVISORS VISITED SCHOOLS IN SMALL LOCALITIES. THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION ABOUT PATRIOTISM, SHAPING CITIZEN ATTITUDES IN YOUNG PEOPLE, INTRODUCING THEM TO NATIONAL SYMBOLS AND LOCAL TRADITIONS, AS WELL AS PROMOTING RESPECT AND TOLERANCE. "PROJECTOR STUDENT VOLUNTEERS" CLOSELY COOPERATES WITH A GROUP OF ABOUT A DOZEN ACCOMPLISHED EDUCATION EXPERTS. AMONG THEM ARE: PRZEMYSAW STARO, A PSYCHOLOGIST, LECTURER, TRAINER, AND EDUCATOR, TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2018, THE WINNER OF THE 2020 GLOBAL TEACHER PRIZE; ANNA KONARZEWSKA A TEACHER, EDUCATOR, WRITER AND BLOGGER; AGNIESZKA JANKOWIAK-MAIL, A TEACHER, EDUCATIONAL ACTIVIST, WRITER AND BLOGGER, THE WINNER OF THE IRENA SENDLEROWA AWARD, AND THE GRAND PRESS FREEDOM OF SPEECH MEDAL, AND UKASZ SZELIGA A TUTOR, EDUCATOR AND COACH WITH EXPERIENCE GAINED IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. THE EXPERTS PREPARE THE LESSON PLANS USED BY STUDENTS AND ACT AS PROGRAM AMBASSADORS. SINCE 2011 THE PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY VOLUNTEER STUDENTS HAVE BEEN REGULARLY MONITORED AND EVALUATED. THIS IS MEANT TO BOTH ASSESS THE DIRECT RESULTS OF THE ENTIRE PROGRAM AND OBSERVE ITS LONG-TERM INFLUENCE. THE BIGGEST BENEFITS MENTIONED BY STUDENT-VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACQUIRE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, DEVELOP COMMUNICATION SKILLS, MEET PEOPLE, AND PROVIDE AN OCCASION FOR THEIR SOCIAL ACTIVITY TO BE SEEN AND APPRECIATED BY THEIR ALMA MATERS. THE MOST IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF TAKING PART IN THE "PROJECTOR" ARE EMPHASIZED BY SCHOOLS, WHICH MENTION: EXPANDING THE EDUCATIONAL OFFER, INCREASING SCHOOL ATTRACTIVENESS, AND POSITIVE RECEPTION OF THE PROGRAM BY PARENTS. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION WWW.PROJEKTOR.ORG.PL BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS THIS UNDERTAKING WAS LAUNCHED IN 2002 TO ADDRESS THE STARK DISPROPORTION OF ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE FROM RURAL AND URBAN AREAS. IT WAS MEANT TO HELP GIFTED YOUNGSTERS FROM SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES, FORMER STATE FARMS (PGR) IN PARTICULAR, MAKE THE DECISION TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AT UNIVERSITIES BY AWARDING THEM FIRST-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS. FROM THE BEGINNING "BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS," INITIATED BY PAFF, WAS A JOINT UNDERTAKING OF MANY PARTNERS. NOW THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FINANCED BY THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION, THE INTER CARS FOUNDATION, THE KLEMM FAMILY FOUNDATION, AND BY A COALITION OF LOCAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROGRAM IS CARRIED OUT WITH ORGANIZATIONAL HELP FROM THE NATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER FOR AGRICULTURE (FORMERLY THE AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY AGENCY), AND IN COOPERATION WITH THE PROFESSOR BRONISAW GEREMEK CENTER FOUNDATION. SO FAR THE PARTNERS HAVE PROVIDED NEARLY PLN 149 MILLION FOR THE PROGRAM. MORE THAN 28,000 SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN GRANTED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING 19,000 FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDIES. THE "DIPLOMA OF DREAMS" CAMPAIGN, WHICH OBJECTIVE IS TO SUPPORT LOCAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN TAKING UP SIMILAR SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVES ALIGNED WITH THE "BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS" CONCEPT, HAS RESULTED IN ENGAGING 200 NGOS IN HELPING MORE THAN 7,000 STUDENTS SINCE 2006. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS "BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS" EVOLVED INTO A COMPLEX SCHOLARSHIP SYSTEM, OFFERING MUCH MORE THAN A STIPEND FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDIES. TODAY THE SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS WHO DO WELL IN THEIR ACADEMIC PURSUITS HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF RECEIVING ASSISTANCE IN SUCCESSIVE YEARS OF STUDY. FOR THE SECOND YEAR THEY MAY ENTER THE TOP STUDENT COMPETITION; THEY MAY APPLY FOR CORPORATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR THIRD AND FOURTH YEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAM OFFERS LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIPS, WORKSHOPS PREPARING SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS FOR ENTERING THE JOB MARKET AND CHALLENGES OF THE DIGITALIZED WORLD, AS WELL AS CYCLICAL SCIENTIFIC START CONFERENCES. THERE ARE ALSO SUMMER INTERNSHIPS IN THE USA ORGANIZED IN COOPERATION WITH THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IN WARSAW (THE POLISH-AMERICAN INTERNSHIP INITIATIVE PAII). FROM 2011TO 2019, 108 STUDENTS COMPLETED INTERNSHIPS IN THIRTEEN CORPORATIONS, INCLUDING: BOEING, CHEVRON NORTH AMERICA, CITIGROUP, GE HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY, MONEYGRAM, PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS LLC, RAYTHEON BBN TECHNOLOGIES, SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION, WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, AND DISCOVERY INC. ADDITIONALLY, THANKS TO COOPERATION WITH THE TRANSATLANTIC FUTURE LEADERS FORUM, 18 STUDENTS COMPLETED THEIR INTERNSHIPS AT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. IN THE PAST, ONE OF THE PROGRAM SEGMENTS OFFERED SCIENTIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE BEST PERFORMING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES WHO STUDIED ECONOMICS AT NON-STATE UNIVERSITIES AND PRIVATE BUSINESS SCHOOLS. BETWEEN 2001 AND 2014 NEARLY 7,000 SUCH SCHOLARSHIPS WERE GRANTED. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A SURVEYS CONDUCTED AMONG PROGRAM GRADUATES SHOW THAT 98 PERCENT BELIEVE THEIR BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THEIR FINANCIAL STANDING DURING THEIR STUDIES. 90 PERCENT OF SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS ACHIEVE GOOD OR VERY GOOD ACADEMIC RESULTS, 70 PERCENT FINISH THEIR STUDIES ON TIME, AND ONLY 5 PERCENT DISCONTINUED THEIR STUDIES. UNDER THIS PROGRAM PAFF SUPPORTS THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP OLYMPICS, A JOINT INITIATIVE OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION AND ACCREDITATION OF ECONOMIC EDUCATION AND THE FIVE LARGEST POLISH ECONOMIC UNIVERSITIES: THE WARSAW SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS (SGH), AND THE ECONOMIC UNIVERSITIES IN KATOWICE, CRACOW, POZNA, AND WROCAW. THE AIM OF THE INITIATIVE IS TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS POLAND. THE 2024 OLYMPICS ATTRACTED ALMOST 7,000 PUPILS FROM NEARLY 700 SCHOOLS. THE BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM ENABLES PAFF TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES CARRIED OUT BY THE GOOD NETWORK FOUNDATION WHICH RUNS THE MY SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE (MOJESTYPENDIUM.PL) THE LARGEST POLISH WEBSITE ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS. "RZECZPOSPOLITA," "FORUM AKADEMICKIE," "PERSPEKTYWY AND THE DLASTUDENTA.PL WEBSITE PROVIDE MEDIA SPONSORSHIP FOR THE PROGRAM. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION WWW.STYPENDIA-POMOSTOWE.PL POLISH-AMERICAN INTERNSHIP INITIATIVE: WWW.PAII.PL THE GOOD NETWORK FOUNDATION ("MY SCHOLARSHIP AND "E-VOLUNTEERING") WWW.DOBRASIEC.ORG FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH THAT IS THE LATEST UNDERTAKING OF PAFF AIMED AT ENHANCING CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH'S MENTAL RESILIENCE. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO DEVELOP TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATORS' COMPETENCE TO DEAL WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE DEPRESSED, HAVE LOW MOTIVATION, EXPERIENCE LONELINESS AND LACK OF SELF-ESTEEM. THE PROGRAM IS IMPLEMENTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE SCHOOL WITH CLASS FOUNDATION AND THE EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION. "FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH" IS BASED ON EXPERIENCE GAINED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OTHER PAFF PROGRAMS, IN PARTICULAR "THE RELIEF FUND FOR NGOS AND CIVIC INITIATIVES" CONDUCTED FROM 2020 TO 2023 AS THE RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE EFFECTS OF THAT UNDERTAKING HAVE SHOWN THAT THE PANDEMIC HAD A HEAVY IMPACT ON CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING WHICH RESULTED IN A SENSE OF INSECURITY, DEPRESSED MOODS, LOW MOTIVATION, AND DIFFICULTIES IN ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL AS GETTING INVOLVED IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. THE POOR MENTAL CONDITION OF POLISH TEENAGERS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE RESULTS OF THE LATEST PISA STUDY. POLISH YOUNG PEOPLE RANKED FAR BELOW THE AVERAGE IN OECD COUNTRIES AS REGARDS PERSISTENCE, CURIOSITY, READINESS TO COOPERATE, EMPATHY, ASSERTIVENESS, IMMUNITY TO STRESS, AND EMOTIONAL CONTROL. MEANWHILE, UNICEF NOTES THAT 630,000 CHILDREN IN POLAND NEED ONGOING SPECIALIST SUPPORT. TEACHERS, EDUCATORS, PARENTS AND EXPERTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN PAFF PROGRAMS CALL NOT ONLY FOR INTERVENTIONS BUT FIRST OF ALL FOR SECURING EFFECTIVE PREVENTION IN THE FORM OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WILL ENHANCE SOCIAL SKILLS, MENTAL TOUGHNESS, AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE YOUNGEST. THAT NEW PAFF PROGRAM OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO BUILDING CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH'S MENTAL RESILIENCE. ACTIVITIES ARE ADDRESSED TO TEACHERS AND IMPLEMENTED AT SCHOOLS AS WELL AS TO PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE NON-FORMAL EDUCATION; IN THAT SECOND CASE THEY ARE PROVIDED BY NGOS, LIBRARIES, AND CULTURE CENTERS. THANKS TO THE PROGRAM, PEOPLE WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN WAYS OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THEIR PEER GROUPS, ENHANCING THEIR SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-ASSESSMENT, OR DIGITAL HYGIENE. THEY ALSO LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE SYMPTOMS OF MOOD DISORDERS IN THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN AND REACT IN CRISIS SITUATIONS. THE OFFER FOR SCHOOLS CONSISTS OF SUPPORTING TEACHERS IN DEVELOPING STUDENTS' SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE THROUGH BUILDING EMPOWERMENT. THE PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS AND ONGOING EXPERTS' ASSISTANCE. THAT COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE GAINED OVER MANY YEARS IN THE SCHOOL WITH CLASS INITIATIVE IMPLEMENTATION. THE OFFER FOR INSTITUTIONS OF NON-FORMAL EDUCATION COVERS ONLINE AND ON-SITE TRAINING SESSIONS FOR PEOPLE WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AS WELL AS GRANTS FOR PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE TRAINING PARTICIPANTS TO USE THEIR NEW SKILLS IN THEIR EVERYDAY WORK. AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM IS BUILDING THE SYNERGY OF SCHOOL AND EXTRA-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES THROUGH ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF COOPERATING SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES AND NGOS. IT IS ALSO THE OBJECTIVE OF SOCIAL CAMPAIGNS AIMED AT BUILDING MENTAL TOUGHNESS OF THE YOUNGEST THAT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES. IN 2024, THE FIRST PROGRAM ACTIONS COVERED 140 SCHOOLS, ABOUT 400 TEACHERS, AND 30 NGOS, LIBRARIES, AND CULTURE CENTERS FROM RURAL AREAS AND SMALL TOWNS, AS WELL AS COMMUNITIES WITH LIMITED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. PROGRAM MANAGERS: THE SCHOOL WITH CLASS FOUNDATION THE EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION KURSNAODPORNOSC.PL THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES (TAU) THE PROGRAM, INITIATED IN 2005, AIMS TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL ACTIONS THAT ENCOURAGE OLDER PEOPLE TO BECOME MORE ACTIVE, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS PLACED ON THEIR SOCIAL ACTIVITY AND INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONS. THE PROGRAM IS CARRIED OUT MAINLY BY SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING INITIATIVES TAKEN BY SENIORS THEMSELVES, WHO USE THEIR POTENTIAL, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND TIME FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND BY SUPPORTING THE THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES. THE "SENIORS IN ACTION" COMPETITION OFFERS GRANTS AND TRAINING FOR PEOPLE OVER 60 WHO WISH TO CARRY OUT SOCIAL INITIATIVES BASED ON THEIR OWN IDEAS, INDIVIDUALLY OR IN TANDEM WITH A YOUNGER PERSON. THE COMPETITION IS ADDRESSED TO ACTIVE SENIORS ENROLLED IN A THIRD AGE UNIVERSITY, AS WELL AS THOSE COOPERATING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS. SO FAR, 438 PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FINANCED IN THE 15 EDITIONS OF THE "SENIORS IN ACTION" COMPETITION: INTER-GENERATIONAL PROJECTS, PROJECTS THAT ENCOURAGE OLDER PEOPLE TO ACT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR COMMUNITY, AND PROJECTS PROMOTING VOLUNTEER SERVICES BY THE SENIORS. THE 16TH EDITION IS UNDERWAY, WITH 19 PROJECTS BEING IMPLEMENTED. TO SUPPORT THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES (TAU) THE PROGRAM OFFERS TRAINING, WORKSHOPS, AND EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE DURING CONFERENCES FOR TAU REPRESENTATIVES. IN 20042012, THE NATIONWIDE TAU MEETINGS WERE HELD IN CRACOW, BYDGOSZCZ, SUPSK, POCK, WARSAW, NOWY SCZ, AND KATOWICE. BETWEEN 2011 AND 2013, 14 REGIONAL TAU MEETINGS WERE GRANTED SUPPORT. THE PROGRAM IS ALSO ENGAGED IN OTHER EVENTS IMPORTANT TO THE TAU MOVEMENT; THE ANNUAL THIRD AGE FORUM, WHICH WAS A PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM IN KRYNICA (NOW IN KARPACZ). NATIONAL TAU CONGRESSES ARE IMPORTANT EVENTS, TO WHICH PAFF IS USUALLY A PARTNER. SINCE 2013 REPRESENTATIVES OF THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES MAY PARTICIPATE IN TAU FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES WORKSHOPS WHICH ENCOURAGE THE FORMATION OF VOLUNTEER GROUPS AT THE UNIVERSITIES AS WELL AS COOPERATION WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES. TEN ROUNDS OF THIS PROJECT GATHERED 100 TAUS; THE PRESENT, ELEVENTH EDITION INCLUDES TEN MORE. 2020 WAS THE LAST YEAR OF THE PILOT PROGRAM "TANDEM. MENTORING 55+" FOCUSED ON ENGAGING OLDER PEOPLE IN MENTORING CHILDREN AND YOUTH LIVING IN ENVIRONMENTS NEEDING SUPPORT. ABOUT A DOZEN MENTORS COOPERATED WITH THEIR PROTEGES TO BOOST THEIR SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL COMPETENCIES. THE RESULT WAS THE PUBLICATION "TANDEM: HOW TO PROVIDE INTER-GENERATIONAL MENTORING," A STEP-BY-STEP COMPENDIUM FOR INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN SUCH ACTIONS AMONG CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS (AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON THE WEBSITE OF THE PROGRAM MANAGER). THE PARTNERS OF THE PILOT PROGRAM WERE: THE ELBIETA SOTYS EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND THE "SCHOOL WITH PASSION" KINDERGARTEN COMPLEX IN OSTROWIEC WITOKRZYSKI, AS WELL AS JOANNA RADZIWI'S CARING WINGS FOUNDATION IN WARSAW. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A ADDITIONALLY, FROM 2005 TO 2008 UNDER THE GRANT COMPETITION ADDRESSED DIRECTLY TO THE THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES, 131 GRANTS WERE AWARDED FOR PROJECTS IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TAU EDUCATIONAL OFFERS, INCLUDING COMPUTER AND INTERNET COURSES ENABLING THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES TO REACH A WIDER AUDIENCE OF SENIOR CITIZENS, AS WELL AS STIMULATING SENIORS' INVOLVEMENT IN ACTIVITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY THROUGH VOLUNTARY WORK. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE ASSOCIATION OF THE CREATIVE INITIATIVES "" SENIORZYWAKCJI.PL DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES SUPPORT FOR NGOS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO SUPPORT NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN POLAND, ESPECIALLY IN SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH INFORMATION, GUIDANCE, AND TRAINING. THIS ALLOWS IMPROVING CONDITIONS OF FUNCTIONING OF THIRD-SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND QUALITY OF MANAGING THEM, WHICH LEADS TO MORE EFFICIENT ACTING AND IMPROVED EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL UNDERTAKINGS. THE PROGRAM OPERATES ALONG THREE PATHS. THE FIRST, "MUTUAL INFORMATION SOCIETY" ("MIS@NGO") IS AN INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, THE MAIN COMPONENT OF WHICH IS THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS PORTAL NGO.PL THE LARGEST POLISH PORTAL ABOUT CIVIL SOCIETY, RECOGNIZED BY ALMOST 80% OF NGOS IN POLAND. IN 2023, 4.4 MILLION USERS VISITED THE PORTAL, WHOSE DATABASE CURRENTLY CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT 200,000 POLISH NGOS. THE SYSTEM ALSO HAS AN INFORMATION CENTER WITH A FREE INFOLINE AT 801-646-719 (MORE THAN 4,000 CONSULTATIONS ANNUALLY), PLUS RESEARCH PAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS. THE SECOND PATH, "EURO-NGO+", AIMS TO INCREASE NGO CAPACITY FOR ACQUIRING EU FUNDS. THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE 2003-2006 PAFF "EURO-NGO" PROGRAM WHICH HELPED POLISH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EU FUNDS AND RAISE THEIR COMPETENCIES, THUS ENABLING THEM TO APPLY FOR THESE GRANTS WITH GREATER SUCCESS. BOTH THEN AND IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS THEY RECEIVED SUPPORT IN BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS, ADVOCACY AND PARTICIPATING IN PLANNING STRUCTURAL FUNDS, IMPLEMENTING INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS, AND MONITORING DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS EARMARKED FOR SOCIAL INITIATIVES. IN THIS RESPECT, THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POLISH NGOS (OFOP) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY. THE THIRD PATH, "NGO TRAINING", HAS TWO COMPONENTS. THE FIRST, "FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR NGOS" (FIMANGO), CONSISTS OF PROVIDING TRAINING, GUIDANCE, AND PUBLICATIONS TO PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, MOSTLY THOSE OPERATING OUTSIDE MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS. IN TOTAL, NEARLY 6,600 REPRESENTATIVES OF ALMOST 4,450 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS POLAND PARTICIPATED IN THIS TRAINING IN THE YEARS 20002024. TRAINING SESSIONS WERE PROVIDED BY THE CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION. THE SECOND COMPONENT, LAUNCHED IN 2013, IS A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL OFFER FOR NGO MANAGERS, CONSISTING OF THE "PROMENGO" TRAINING PROGRAM, THE "KURSODROM" E-LEARNING PLATFORM THAT HAS BEEN USED BY MORE THAN 9,000 PERSONS, AND WORKSHOPS IN NGO MANAGEMENT WHOSE IMPORTANT PART IS THE FUNDRAISING EDUCATION PROGRAM ADDRESSED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FOCUSED ON OBTAINING FUNDS FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THE THIRD SECTOR QUARTERLY COMPLETES THE OFFER. IT IS A SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION WHOLLY DEDICATED TO RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF ISSUES PERTINENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NGOS IN POLAND. THIS PART IS IMPLEMENTED BY THE ACADEMY OF CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS FOUNDATION, CREATED BY PAFF. FOR MANY YEARS, PAFF CO-ORGANIZED THE ANNUAL POLISH MEETING OF RURAL ORGANIZATIONS IN MARZ, WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS FROM VARIOUS POLISH REGIONS. THE PRESENT FORMAT OF THE INITIATIVE HAS BEEN CHANGED. IT IS NOW TARGETING VILLAGE HEADS AND COOPERATES WITH THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION. PAFF ALSO SUPPORTS REGULAR RESEARCH ON THE CONDITION OF NGOS IN POLAND CARRIED OUT BY KLON/JAWOR ASSOCIATION. PROGRAM MANAGER: MUTUAL INFORMATION SOCIETY (MIS): THE KLON/JAWOR ASSOCIATION NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION'S PORTAL: NGO.PL WWW.EU.NGO.PL "FIMANGO": THE CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION "NGO TRAINING": THE ACADEMY OF CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS FOUNDATION WWW.KURSODROM.PL ACT LOCALLY THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM, LAUNCHED IN 2000, IS TO SUPPORT AND ACTIVATE LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN RURAL AREAS AND SMALL TOWNS THROUGH CIVIC PROJECTS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND AT THE SAME TIME BUILD SOCIAL CAPITAL. THE PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT FOR ACTIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHOSE MEMBERS DEFINE THEIR NEEDS THEMSELVES AND TAKE COLLECTIVE ACTION. GRANTS ARE AWARDED IN OPEN GRANT COMPETITIONS ORGANIZED ONCE A YEAR AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BY THE NETWORK OF ACT LOCALLY CENTERS (ALCS) WHICH ENCOMPASSES ASSOCIATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS OPERATING IN LOCALITIES WITH UP TO 50,000 PEOPLE, COVERING AREAS WHOSE SIZE RANGES FROM FOUR RURAL COMMUNES TO SEVERAL COUNTIES. THE ALC NETWORK IS GRADUALLY GROWING. IT BEGAN WITH 15 ALCS IN 2004 AND NOW INCLUDES 77 ORGANIZATIONS IN 652 COMMUNES. THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO ACT LOCALLY CENTERS IN EVERY POLISH PROVINCE. THEY COOPERATE WITH OTHER NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND ENTREPRENEURS. NEW ALCS ARE APPOINTED BY THE COMPETITION COMMITTEE IN AN OPEN RECRUITMENT PROCEDURE. THE BENEFICIARIES OF LOCAL COMPETITIONS ARE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS INFORMAL CITIZEN GROUPS THAT MAY APPLY THROUGH PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS (SCHOOLS, CULTURAL CENTERS, LIBRARIES) IN SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF LESS THAN 20,000 INHABITANTS. SO FAR MORE THAN 15,000 PROJECTS HAVE ENGAGED 7 MILLION PARTICIPANTS, INVOLVING OVER 260,000 VOLUNTEERS. FUNDED INITIATIVES FOCUS ON CULTURE AND TRADITION, EDUCATION, HEALTH, ECOLOGY, SPORTS, CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SPENDING FREE TIME, TOURISM, AND IMPROVING THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE REGION, AS WELL AS FIGHTING SOCIAL EXCLUSION. THEIR COMMON DENOMINATOR IS LOCAL ACTIVITY, WHICH ENABLES THE POPULATION TO LEARN NEW SKILLS, BETTER ORGANIZE THEMSELVES, AND RESPOND TO EMERGING PROBLEMS. LOCAL COMPETITIONS PAVE THE WAY FOR IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS ALIGNED WITH THEMATIC PATHWAYS. THE CURRENT EDITION OUTLINED THE FOLLOWING PATHWAYS: "YOUTH ACTING LOCALLY," "INTERCULTURAL DIALOG IN ACTION AND THE "ACT ECOLOGICALLY." THE LAST PATHWAY WAS INITIATED IN 2021, IN COOPERATION WITH WWF POLAND. THE "TELL ME" COMPETITION IS ORGANIZED FOR THE MANAGERS OF SUPPORTED INITIATIVES; IT GIVES AWARDS TO THE MOST INTERESTING FORMS OF COMMUNICATING AND PROMOTING THE ACTIONS TAKEN. THE QUALITY OF ACT LOCALLY CENTER WORK IS IMPROVED THROUGH TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, REGIONAL MEETINGS, STUDY TOURS, AND WEBINARS WHICH ENABLE THE EXCHANGE OF BEST PRACTICES, ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES, AND INCREASE COOPERATION WITHIN THE ALC NETWORK. ACT LOCALLY CENTERS USE THEIR "ACT LOCALLY" EXPERIENCE TO ENGAGE IN OTHER EFFORTS OF FREEDOM FOUNDATION, SUCH AS "PAFF LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS," WHERE TOGETHER WITH PARTICIPANTS INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT PAFF PROGRAMS THEY EXECUTE SOCIAL PROJECTS THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. "PAFF LEADERS" IS ALSO A PROGRAM WHERE ALC REPRESENTATIVES TAKE ON THE ROLE OF BOTH LEADERS AND TUTORS. "FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR NGOS" (FIMANGO) HELPS IMPROVE COMPETENCIES IN PROVIDING ADVISORY ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TO SMALLER, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. FIMANGO OPERATES AS PART OF THE "SCHOOL OF LOCAL ADVISORS". FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ACTIONS WERE ALSO TAKEN UNDER THE PROGRAM TO TRANSFER THE "ACT LOCALLY" EXPERIENCE TO UKRAINE AND INSPIRE UKRAINIAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE A NETWORK MODELLED AFTER ACT LOCALLY CENTERS. AS A RESULT THE "ACT LOCALLY IN UKRAINE" ACTION WAS SET UP AND IS CARRIED OUT BY THE ACADEMY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILANTHROPY IN POLAND IN COOPERATION WITH THE ISAR EDNANNIA FOUNDATION IN UKRAINE. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A AN ELIGIBLE PURPOSE OF 2024 GRANTS AWARDED IN REGULAR LOCAL COMPETITIONS WAS MITIGATING THE AFTERMATH OF THE FLOOD THAT SWEPT ACROSS SOUTH-WEST POLAND. ALSO, UNDER THE ALREADY EXISTING "ANTI-CRISIS SUPPORT FUND" ALSO PROVIDED SEVERAL ALCS WITH SUPPORT TO ENABLE CHANNELING GRANTS TO LOCAL FLOOD-AFFECTED NGOS. AS PART OF "ACT LOCALLY," PAFF ALSO PARTICIPATES IN VARIOUS UNDERTAKINGS THAT SERVE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF SOCIAL PHILANTHROPY. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE "BENEFACTOR OF THE YEAR" COMPETITION AND HOLDS PATRONAGE OVER ITS "LOCAL PARTNERSHIP" CATEGORY PROMOTING THE SOCIAL ACTIVITY OF BUSINESSES WHICH, TOGETHER WITH ACT LOCALLY CENTERS, HELP INTRODUCE PERMANENT CHANGES IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES. AS PART OF THE PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS THE "CHARITY STARS" COMPETITION ORGANIZED BY THE ACADEMY, WHICH AWARDS PUBLIC FIGURES FOR THEIR CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. . PROGRAM MANAGER: THE ACADEMY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILANTHROPY IN POLAND DZIALAJLOKALNIE.PL SECTOR 3.0 THIS PROGRAM, OPERATED SINCE 2012, IS A CONTINUATION OF EARLIER ACTIONS IMPLEMENTED BY PAFF TO SUPPORT THE USE OF MODERN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND CIVIC ACTIVITY. ITS PURPOSE IS TO BROADEN THE KNOWLEDGE AND INCREASE THE SKILLS OF NGO ACTIVISTS AND EMPLOYEES FOR EFFECTIVE ICT USE IN THEIR DAILY WORK. THE PROGRAM WAS PRECEDED BY AN ANALYSIS CONDUCTED BY THE SHIPYARD FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS CONSULTATIONS WITH POLISH AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS. INFORMATION WAS GATHERED AND PUBLISHED ABOUT THE ADVANCEMENT OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN UTILIZING DIGITAL TOOLS, INCLUDING ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES OF THEIR STAFF. UNDER THE PROGRAM, THEMATIC TRAINING FOR NGOS WAS CARRIED OUT SHOWING EXAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGIES IN COMMUNICATION, MARKETING, AND MANAGEMENT. SOME OF THE NGOS RECEIVED GRANTS TO BUY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE AS WELL AS TO CARRY OUT PROJECTS AIMED AT PRACTICAL USE OF ICT IN THE THIRD SECTOR. LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN SUPPORTED BY A MOBILE ICT ADVISORS' NETWORK. SO FAR THEY HAVE PROVIDED OVER 9,000 PIECES OF CONSULTATIONS; ALMOST 15,000 NGO REPRESENTATIVES FROM ACROSS POLAND BENEFITED FROM THEIR HELP. MOBILE ADVISORS SUPPORT WAS SUPPLEMENTED BY A NETWORK OF TECHCLUBS. THESE CYCLICAL MEETINGS OF EXPERTS, REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINESS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND ACADEMIA HELPED SHARE EXPERIENCE IN APPLYING MODERN TECHNOLOGIES. THEY ATTRACTED MORE THAN 18,000 PEOPLE. CURRENTLY, THE FOCUS IS MAINLY ON DELIVERING THE LATEST KNOWLEDGE THAT HELPS IDENTIFY POTENTIAL AREAS WHERE NGOS CAN EMPLOY ICT. TO THIS END, THE SECTOR 3.0 BLOG SHOWCASES DIVERSE TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS THAT AID THE DIGITAL TRANSITION OF NGOS, WHILE THE ELEARNING.SEKTOR3-0.PL PLATFORM OFFERS ONLINE COURSES. OVER LAST TWO YEARS THE PROGRAM EXPERTS HELD NUMEROUS TRAINING SESSIONS ON AI USE IN NGOS OPERATIONS. THEY WERE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ALMOST ALL MANAGERS OF PAFF PROGRAMS. THROUGH SECTOR 3.0 INNOVATION FUND, THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS FUNDS AND EXPERT SUPPORT FOR NEW ICT TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED BY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THE FUND CHANNELED SUPPORT TO OVER 100 PROJECT TEAMS AND ENABLED CREATION OF OVER TWENTY VALUABLE APPLICATIONS, SUCH AS THE TUDU E-VOLUNTEERING PORTAL, THE "PATIENTS FOR PATIENTS" APPLICATION FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES, AND THE "SEARCH: INDUCTION LOOP" DATABASE OF LOCATIONS AND EVENTS WHERE AN INDUCTION LOOP IS AVAILABLE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED TO ENABLE THEM TO BETTER ENJOY THEIR SOCIAL LIVES. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES, "SECTOR 3.0" FESTIVALS, PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROGRAM. THESE EVENTS ATTRACT REPRESENTATIVES FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESS ICT EXPERTS, POLITICIANS, SCIENTISTS, AND FOREIGN EXPERTS FROM THE USA, THE UK, SOUTH KOREA, ISRAEL, AND INDIA. THEY OFFER A PLATFORM TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT MODERN TRENDS IN HOW TO UTILIZE ICTS FOR SOCIAL/CIVIC ACTIONS. MORE THAN 8,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 13 ROUNDS OF THE SECTOR 3.0 CONFERENCE HELD IN WARSAW IN 2012-2022. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, FROM 2020 TO 2022 THE FESTIVAL WAS HELD EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE. THE 2024 HYBRID EVENT ATTRACTED MORE THAN 1,000 ATTENDEES. FOR TEN YEARS NOW, THE SECTOR 3.0 AWARD SERVES AS A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION FOR POLISH NGOS WHO MAKE INNOVATIVE USE OF ICTS IN THEIR DAILY OPERATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FULFILLING THEIR MISSION. THE 2024 AWARD WENT TO THE CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION FOUNDATION. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION SEKTOR3-0.PL PAFF LEADERS THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS WORKING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THIS IS ACHIEVED MAINLY THROUGH THE TUTORIAL METHOD CONSISTING OF REGULAR COOPERATION BETWEEN AN EXPERIENCED TUTOR AND A LOCAL LEADER. THE PROGRAM IS ADDRESSED TO ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS OF PROJECTS CARRIED OUT WITHIN VARIOUS PROGRAMS OF THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION: "ACT LOCALLY," "EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES", "ENGLISH TEACHING", "REGION IN TRANSITION" (RITA), "PAFF LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS", AND THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THE MAIN PART OF THE PROGRAM IS THE 12-MONTH LEADER-TUTOR COOPERATION AND THE TRAINING CYCLE ADJUSTED TO USER NEEDS AND PRIORITIES CONSISTING OF PLANNING THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT, TEAM BUILDING, ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION, ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY, AND BUILDING A LOCAL PARTNERSHIP. SKILLS ACQUIRED DURING THE PROGRAM HELP LEADERS ACT FOR THE BENEFIT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROGRAM IS THE OFFER ADDRESSED TO THE GRADUATES THE "ALUMNI" INITIATIVE WHICH PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COOPERATION AND EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE. THAT INITIATIVE ENABLES THE PARTICIPANTS TO MEET WITH WELL-KNOWN PUBLIC FIGURES, TAKE PART IN WORKSHOPS THAT RESPOND TO THEIR NEEDS, AND ACCESS FUNDS FROM GRADUATE INITIATIVES TO CARRY OUT LEADER PROJECTS. THANKS TO THE NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION, THE ALUMNI REGULARLY RECEIVE NEWS ABOUT CURRENT PROGRAM ACTIONS. THE EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE BETWEEN LEADERS IS ALSO POSSIBLE DURING ANNUAL MEETINGS AND THROUGH THE SOCIAL MEDIA. A SPECIAL GROUP OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND ALUMNI ARE THOSE WHO ARE ACTIVE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. IN 2023, THE POLISH PARLIAMENT APPOINTED MONIKA HORNA-CIELAK (AN ALUMNA OF THE EIGHTEENTH ROUND) AS COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS. TWO PAFF LEADERS SECURED MANDATES IN THE 2023 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS: IWONA KAROLEWSKA (A FOURTEENTH EDITION ALUMNA) AND MARCIN SKONIECZKA (A SECOND EDITION ALUMNUS). IN 2024 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION A TOTAL OF 164 PAFF LEADERS RAN FOR OFFICE, AND 80 OF THEM WERE APPOINTED MAYORS, MEMBERS OF PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENTS, OR TOWN, MUNICIPALITY OR RURAL COMMUNE COUNCILORS. SINCE 2008 THE PAFF LEADERS STUDY TOURS TO THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED IN COOPERATION WITH THE US EMBASSY IN POLAND. EACH YEAR A GROUP OF ABOUT A DOZEN PAFF LEADERS AND TUTORS PARTICIPATE IN THE TOURS. IN 2022 MORE THAN 100 ALUMNI ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN AIDING UKRAINIAN REFUGEES. IN THE VERY FIRST DAYS FOLLOWING THE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE, 40 PAFF LEADERS VISITED THE POLISH-UKRAINIAN BORDER TO WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS COORDINATING SUPPORT FOR UKRAINIANS FLEEING FROM THE WAR TO NEIGHBORING POLAND. ALSO, THREE NGOS, WHERE PAFF LEADERS WERE ACTIVE, RECEIVED GRANTS FOR ACTIONS CONNECTED WITH COORDINATING THE RELOCATION OF REFUGEES IN POLAND AND ORGANIZING THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS RECEIVING REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE. IN 2023 THE COOPERATION OF FOUR ORGANIZATIONS THE KOCIUSZKO FOUNDATION, THE POGRANICZE FOUNDATION, THE FOLKOWISKO ASSOCIATION, AND THE ZBIGNIEW PECZYSKI SCHOOL OF LEADERS FOUNDATION RESULTED IN ORGANIZING A SERIES OF MEETINGS FOR YOUNG BELORUSSIAN LEADERS. THE PROGRAM PREPARED YOUNG PEOPLE FOR TAKING ON LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS INITIATING AND CONTINUING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION BETWEEN UKRAINE, BELARUS, AND POLAND. PARTICIPANTS TOOK PART IN WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS, AND STUDY VISITS TO NGOS WITH EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A THE PROGRAM'S TWENTY EDITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HELD TO DATE HAVE RESULTED IN RAISING THE QUALIFICATIONS OF 935 LOCAL LEADERS FROM ACROSS POLAND AS WELL AS CREATING THEIR ACTIVE NATION-WIDE NETWORK, AND EDUCATING 72 EXPERTS IN EMPLOYING THE TUTORING METHOD. PROGRAM MANAGER: ZBIGNIEW PECZYSKI SCHOOL FOR LEADERS FOUNDATION PROGRAMLIDERSKI.PL PRO PUBLICO BONO THE "PRO PUBLICO BONO" COMPETITION FOR THE BEST CIVIC INITIATIVE WAS INITIATED IN 1999 BY THEN PRIME MINISTER JERZY BUZEK. FROM 2000 UNTIL 2014, THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION FUNDED THE COMPETITION AWARDS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COMPETITION WAS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SOCIETY BY ANNUALLY SELECTING AND PROMOTING THE MOST VALUABLE AND CREATIVE NGO ACTIVITIES ON A NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND ESPECIALLY LOCAL COMMUNITY LEVEL. THE COMPETITION REVIEWED ACTIONS TAKEN IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND NATIONAL HERITAGE, HEALTHCARE, SOCIAL ASSISTANCE AND CHARITY, ENVIRONMENT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS SOCIAL DIPLOMACY AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION. WHEN CONSIDERING AN INITIATIVE SUBMITTED FOR THE COMPETITION, THE COMPETITION CHAPTER (JURY), WHOSE FIRST HONORARY CHAIRMAN WAS JAN NOWAK-JEZIORASKI, TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE SOCIAL IMPORTANCE OF THE INITIATIVE, ITS INNOVATIVENESS, ITS IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS THE EFFECTIVENESS AND TRANSPARENCY OF HOW PUBLIC FUNDS WERE USED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHAPTER ASSESSED THE INSTITUTIONAL STABILITY OF A GIVEN ORGANIZATION, ITS ADHERENCE TO ETHICAL METHODS, AND THE QUALITY OF COOPERATION WITH THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. IN 2007 THE BOLESAW WIERZBIASKI AWARD FOR THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF LOCAL PRESS WAS ESTABLISHED AND WAS FUNDED BY PAFF. UNTIL 2011 THE INITIATIVE WAS CONDUCTED BY THE POLISH JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION. AT PRESENT, IT IS AWARDED BY THE LOCAL PRESS ASSOCIATION. THE 2024 BOLESAW WIERZBIASKI AWARD WENT TO THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF NOWINY.PL PORTAL. IN 2021, A NEW UNDERTAKING, "MEDIA FORUM. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT", WAS LAUNCHED, BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE GAINED WITHIN THE COMPETITION FOR THE BOLESAW WIERZBIASKI AWARD. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO SUPPORT THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL JOURNALISTS BY IMPROVING THEIR COMPETENCIES THROUGH TRAINING SESSIONS CONDUCTED BY EXPERIENCED JOURNALISTS OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA ALONG WITH OTHER EXPERTS. BETWEEN 2021 AND 2024, 350 LOCAL MEDIA JOURNALISTS ATTENDED TRAINING SESSIONS ORGANIZED BY THE MEDIA FORUM FOUNDATION AS PART OF THE "MEDIA FORUM. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT" PROJECT. AS PART OF THE "PRO PUBLICO BONO" PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS THE CIVIC CONGRESS, ORGANIZED ANNUALLY BY THE INSTITUTE FOR MARKET ECONOMICS. THIS EVENT, HELD SINCE 2005, IS A UNIQUE METHOD OF ENGAGING CITIZENS IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE DIRECTIONS OF POLAND'S DEVELOPMENT, THE CONDITION OF SOCIETY AND THE COMMON GOOD. THE CONGRESS IS AN OPEN EVENT WHICH EACH TIME ATTRACTS NEARLY A THOUSAND PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES OF CENTRAL AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, THE ACADEMIC MILIEU, BUSINESS PEOPLE, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONGRESS OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PAFF'S EXPERIENCE IN ACTIVATING LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE 19TH CIVIC CONGRESS, HELD IN HYBRID FORM, TOOK PLACE IN 2024 UNDER THE MOTTO "TIME FOR RESPONSIBILITY TIME TO BUILD YOUR OWN STRENGTH!". THE CIVIC CONGRESS OFFER IS COMPLETE WITH INTERACTIVE "IDEAS FOR POLAND" NEWSLETTERS, WHICH PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR DISCUSSION ABOUT ISSUES PERTINENT TO POLAND'S NATIONAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT. EVERY WEEK THE NEWSLETTER, CONTAINING EXPERT-AUTHORED TEXTS, IS SENT OUT TO SUBSCRIBERS VIA E-MAIL. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE LOCAL PRESS ASSOCIATION (THE BOLESAW WIERZBIASKI AWARD) THE MEDIA FORUM FOUNDATION ("MEDIA FORUM. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT") THE INSTITUTE FOR MARKET ECONOMICS (CIVIC CONGRESS) THE PRO PUBLICO BONO COMPETITION FOUNDATION (2000-2014) LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (LDP) HAS OPERATED SINCE 2008 TO SUPPORT PUBLIC LIBRARIES ACROSS POLAND IN BECOMING MODERNIZED LOCAL POINTS OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION, CULTURE AND EDUCATION, AS WELL AS OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY. AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE COMPETENCIES OF LIBRARIANS AND STRENGTHEN THE PRESTIGE OF THEIR PROFESSION. TO DATE 4,224 LIBRARIES IN 1,335 COMMUNES (70% OF THE TARGET GROUP) RECEIVED SUPPORT UNDER FIVE ROUNDS OF THE PROGRAM. MORE THAN 12,500 LIBRARIANS HAVE JOINED LDP ACTIVITIES. UNTIL 2015 THE PROGRAM WAS CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION AND THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION. IT WAS PART OF A BROADER INITIATIVE OF THE GATES FOUNDATION, "GLOBAL LIBRARIES," COVERING ABOUT A DOZEN COUNTRIES. IN POLAND, THE INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, ESTABLISHED BY PAFF IN 2008, WAS THE MANAGER FROM THE OUTSET OF THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THE GATES FOUNDATION ENTRUSTED PAFF WITH A $31 MILLION GRANT FOR THE PROGRAM. 3,808 PUBLIC LIBRARIES FROM 1,256 COMMUNES WITH POPULATIONS OF UP TO 20,000 (NEARLY 60% OF THE TARGET GROUP) WERE INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM, RECRUITED IN THREE ROUNDS BETWEEN 2008 AND 2015. 10,000 LIBRARIANS RECEIVED SPECIALIST SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF COUNSELING AND TRAINING, WHILE LIBRARIES WERE EQUIPPED WITH NEARLY 8,000 PIECES OF HARDWARE: COMPUTERS, TABLETS, PRINTERS, MULTIMEDIA PROJECTORS, AND OTHER DEVICES. ADDITIONALLY, LIBRARIES RECEIVED SOFTWARE WORTH $18 MILLION PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE BY MICROSOFT. 450 LIBRARIES RECEIVED SMALL GRANTS FOR EXPANDING THEIR OFFER AIMED AT LOCAL RESIDENT ACTIVATION. FUNDS FOR ORGANIZING 1,000 STUDY TOURS FOUND THEIR WAY TO LIBRARIANS, WHO ALSO PARTICIPATED IN EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE FORUMS SUCH AS THE ANNUAL LIBRARY CONGRESS. THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CONTRIBUTED TO THE EMERGENCE OF MANY INITIATIVES FOR STRENGTHENING THE ENTIRE LIBRARY SYSTEM. LDP COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT (CONSISTING OF MORE THAN 100 REPRESENTATIVES OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS), 16 REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES AIMING TO PROMOTE PUBLIC LIBRARY MODERNIZATION IN AREAS WITH SMALLER POPULATIONS, AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT IN MORE THAN 300 COMMUNES. IN 2008 PAFF SIGNED A COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH THE POLISH MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND NATIONAL HERITAGE, WHICH INITIATED THE MULTIANNUAL "LIBRARY+" PROGRAM CARRIED OUT BY THE POLISH BOOK INSTITUTE. THE OBJECTIVES OF BOTH INITIATIVES WERE SIMILAR THE FOUNDATION AND THE MINISTRY WERE SHAPING THEIR ACTIVITIES IN SUCH A WAY AS TO REINFORCE AND COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER. ANOTHER MEMORANDUM WAS SIGNED WITH THE MINISTRY OF ADMINISTRATION AND DIGITALIZATION AND THE ORANGE COMPANY, WHERE ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE COUNTRY WERE PROVIDED WITH FREE INTERNET ACCESS FROM 2009 TO 2015. THERE WERE ALSO JOINT ACTIONS CARRIED OUT WITH THE NATIONAL LIBRARY, PROVINCIAL PUBLIC LIBRARIES, THE ASSOCIATION OF POLISH LIBRARIANS, AND NUMEROUS NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS. IN 2012 THE INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION RECEIVED THE E-INCLUSION AWARD FOR THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN A COMPETITION THAT PROMOTES BEST PRACTICES IN USING MODERN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND PREVENTING DIGITAL EXCLUSION. SINCE 2016 LIBRARIES IN RURAL AREAS AND SMALL TOWNS HAVE BEEN FURTHER SUPPORTED BY PAFF FUNDS THROUGH NUMEROUS TRAINING AND E-LEARNING COURSES FOR LIBRARY EMPLOYEES AND THEIR LOCAL PARTNERS, GRANTS FOR TECHNOLOGICAL EXPANSION OF SELECTED LIBRARIES, SUPPORT IN THEIR NETWORKING AND COOPERATION EFFORTS AIMED AT BENEFITING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATION INCUBATORS BASED ON LIBRARY INFRASTRUCTURE. THE LABIB INITIATIVE HAS ALSO BEEN DEVELOPED: A NETWORK OF LIBRARIAN-INNOVATORS USING THE LABIB.PL SOCIAL PORTAL TO POPULARIZE BEST PRACTICES IN ACTIVITIES HELD AT LIBRARIES. IN 20212024, THE OUTREACH OF THE FOURTH AND FIFTH EDITIONS OF THE PROGRAM AGAIN COVERED THE EXISTING LIBRARY NETWORK AS WELL AS 413 NEW FACILITIES BASED IN VILLAGES AND SMALL TOWNS WITH POPULATIONS OF UP TO 50,000 INHABITANTS. PARTICIPATING LIBRARIES JOINED TRAINING SESSIONS, RECEIVED ADVISORY, EQUIPMENT, AND NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A THE PRESENT PROGRAM OFFER IS ADDRESSED TO THE ENTIRE NETWORK OF 4,224 FACILITIES, WHO ARE WELCOME TO SEEK ASSISTANCE IN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AIDING THE INTEGRATION OF UKRAINIAN REFUGEES WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES, DELIVERING NON-FORMAL EDUCATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION TO RESIDENTS UNDER THE "LIBRARY FOR CLIMATE" COMPONENT, AS WELL AS PROVIDING DIGITAL EDUCATION COMBINED WITH ASSISTANCE IN IMPROVING CRITICAL MEDIA LITERACY. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES A WIDE ARRAY OF SOCIALLY ACTIVATING EFFORTS, PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND ACTIONS AIMED AT INVOLVING THE RESIDENTS CONCERNED IN RELEVANT ISSUES. LIBRARIES ARE FLEXIBLE IN THEIR RESPONSE TO CHANGING NEEDS AND EMERGING CHALLENGES. INVOLVING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN EXISTING INITIATIVES AND NETWORKS ENSURES A HIGHER SUSTAINABILITY OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES. AMONG THESE NETWORKS IS THE LABIB ASSOCIATION, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER LIBRARY DIRECTORS WHO RUN SUPPORT GROUPS FOR OTHER DIRECTORS OF NEARBY FACILITIES. ANOTHER IS THE "INITIATIVES" LIBRARY DIRECTOR ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS COMPOSED OF LIBRARY DIRECTORS WHO ADVOCATE FOR LIBRARIANS AND DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE INFORMATION SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION BIBLIOTEKI.ORG PAFF LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO INITIATE AND DEVELOP COOPERATION AMONG PARTICIPANTS OF VARIOUS PAFF PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE ESTABLISHING PARTNERSHIPS CAPABLE OF IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL PROJECTS IMPORTANT TO ENTIRE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM USES THE LOCAL COMMUNITY CIVIC ACTIVATION METHOD TO BUILD COMMON GOOD ON THE BASIS OF A SOCIAL NEEDS DIAGNOSIS. THANKS TO THE DIVERSIFIED PAFF PROGRAMMATIC OFFER MANY LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN POLAND HAVE CARRIED OUT PROJECTS WHICH HAVE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GAINING EXPERIENCE AND BUILDING RESOURCES THAT UNLEASH CIVIC ENERGY. THE "PAFF LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS" PROGRAM OFFERS PARTICIPANTS OF THESE PROJECTS THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING JOINT PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES USING THE ACCUMULATED POTENTIAL FOR WORK BENEFITING THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THIS CONTRIBUTES TO STRENGTHENING LOCAL SOCIAL CAPITAL THROUGH A SYNERGY OF EXPERIENCES AND RESULTS OF VARIOUS INITIATIVES. PARTNERSHIPS PRIMARILY COMPOSED OF PARTICIPANTS OF SEVERAL PAFF PROGRAMS, WHO CONSTITUTE AN INITIATIVE GROUP WITHIN EACH COALITION, ARE ESTABLISHED. THEY ARE JOINED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES, THE LOCAL MEDIA, AS WELL AS NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED IN ANY PAFF PROGRAMS. ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PAFF PROGRAMS CAN BECOME PARTNERSHIP LEADERS: "ACT LOCALLY", "ENGLISH TEACHING", "EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES", "THE LEARNING SCHOOLS" (LES), "PAFF LEADERS", THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, "REGION IN TRANSITION" (RITA), "SENIORS IN ACTION", AND "GREEN LEADER." MANY LOCAL RESIDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE ENGAGED IN THE EXECUTION OF THE PROJECTS. IN THE NINE EDITIONS HELD SINCE 2009, 83 PAFF LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS HAVE BEEN FORMED, INCLUDING 19 PARTNER START-UPS, REACHING 130 COMMUNES AND ENGAGING 1,200 PARTNERS. THANKS TO THE PARTNER PROJECTS IT WAS POSSIBLE TO AMEND EXISTING LEGAL REGULATIONS AND REDUCE AIR POLLUTION IN YWIEC, CREATE A LOCAL CITIZEN TELEVISION CHANNEL IN GRODZISK MAZOWIECKI, DEVELOP A PUBLIC PARK IN BIGORAJ, AND REGENERATE A HISTORICAL PARK IN DRAWSKO POMORSKIE. DBICA GAINED A POVIAT VOLUNTEER CENTER, PUNICA A "CO-SHARING POINT," WHICH PROVIDES A RESIDENT-FRIENDLY AND MODERN SPACE OF INFORMAL EDUCATION. A "LOCAL INTEGRATION CENTER" NOW OPERATES IN ORNETA, WHILE OBORNIKI LSKIE AND UBIANY HAVE ACQUIRED EDUCATIONAL SPACES. PROJECT OUTCOMES ALSO PROMOTE LOCAL PRODUCTS. A "CARP TRAIL" NOW RUNS THROUGH BARYCZA VALLEY, WARKA OFFERS AN "APPLE ROUTE," WHILE MIELW CULTIVATES ITS PORCELAIN-MAKING TRADITIONS. PODKARPACIE NOW HOSTS A NETWORK OF YOUTH-FRIENDLY PLACES, ZOTORYJA GAINED A "VOLCANO" ACTIVITY CENTER WHICH SEEKS TO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE, WHILE NIEMCE ESTABLISHED A YOUTH FOREST GUARD, WHICH HELPS KEEP THE KOZOWIECKIE FORESTS CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL BY PROMOTING ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACHES. NIEPOOMICE SUCCEEDED IN INTEGRATING ITS RESIDENTS BY INVOLVING THEM IN ACTING FOR THE FORMERLY SHUNNED NIEPOOMICE PRIMEVEAL FOREST. GODAP BANKED ON THE REGION'S MULTICULTURALITY, WOJKOWICE ESTABLISHED A POLISH-UKRAINIAN BUSINESS GENERATOR. THE DRAGACZ AND MOSINA PARTNERSHIP FOCUSED ON CULTIVATING CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE, NOWY TOMYL CREATED ITS FIRST "LIBRARY GARDEN." BIRCZA OPENED AN ECO-MUSEUM. EFFORTS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND PARTNERS SAVED THE FIRST POLISH LOCOMOTIVE FACTORY, "FABLOK" SA, FROM BEING FORGOTTEN, AND MADE IT A HIGHLIGHT OF CHRZANW. KROTOSZYN GAVE THE NEGLECTED SQUARE NEAR TO ITS PUBLIC LIBRARY A NEW LEASE OF LIFE. SINCE 2022, THE PARTNERSHIPS COMPLETED 10 SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE. THESE PROJECTS CONSISTED OF ORGANIZING ADAPTATION AND INTEGRATION MEETINGS FOR POLISH AND UKRAINIAN FAMILIES, THERAPY WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, POLISH LANGUAGE COURSES, AS WELL AS LEGAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT. IN 2024, THE NINTH PROGRAM EDITION LED TO THE EMERGENCE OF SIX PARTNERSHIPS AND TWO START-UPS. THESE PAVED THE WAY FOR THE "GREEN OASIS," A CENTRE FOR ECOLOGICALLY ACTIVE YOUTH IN STAROGARD GDASKI, THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IN JABONNA, A YOUTH ZONE IN KOWARY, AND THE LOCAL INITIATIVE PARK IN KIJEWO KRLEWSKIE. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVATION METHOD DEVELOPED TOGETHER WITH THE SHIPYARD FOUNDATION, WHICH HAS BEEN SHOWCASED IN TWO PUBLICATIONS: "HOW TO BUILD COMMON GOOD. A GUIDE FOR LOCAL ACTORS AND "HOW TO BUILD LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS." THE SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION ENTITLED, "THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ANIMATION METHOD FOR THE COMMON GOOD. THEORY AND PRACTICE", WAS PUBLISHED IN 2021 AND PRESENTS THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED BY A TEAM OF UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW RESEARCHERS LED BY PROF. ANNA GIZA. THE MONOGRAPH CONFIRMED THAT THIS METHOD WAS EFFECTIVE AND USEFUL IN PRACTICE, I.E. THAT IT STIMULATED LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND THAT ITS EFFECTS RESPONDED TO LOCAL RESIDENTS' NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS. ANOTHER PROGRAM COMPONENT THE COMMON GOOD LAB IS ADDRESSED TO PROGRAM ALUMNI. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS INITIATIVE IS TO POPULARIZE COOPERATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES WORKING FOR THE COMMON GOOD, PROMOTING METHODS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES' ANIMATION AND ENHANCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS. THE INITIATIVE OFFERS EXPERT SUPPORT AND ACCESS TO A DATABASE OF MATERIALS, AS WELL AS REGULAR ALUMNI GATHERINGS, TRAINING SESSIONS, AND WEBINARS. THE MOST ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS FORM THE CIVIC ACTIVISTS' COMMUNITY, WHICH WORKS TO IMPROVE THE ANIMATION METHOD AND DEVELOP TOOLS TO MOBILIZE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THEY ALSO SUPPORT CREATING NEW PARTNERSHIPS IN LOCATIONS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE ACADEMY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILANTHROPY IN POLAND WWW.LOKALNEPARTNERSTWA.ORG.PL GREEN LEADER LAUNCHED IN 2021, THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS LOCAL LEADERS WHO WANT TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES IN CONDUCTING ACTIONS AIMED AT PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, AS WELL AS EFFECTIVELY OBTAINING EU AND OTHER FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR INITIATIVES. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT DEGRADATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE HARM ALL OUR LIVES. THUS, THE CHALLENGE TO MITIGATE THEM AND INTRODUCE NEW, MORE SUSTAINABLE WAYS OF DEVELOPING LOCAL COMMUNITIES IS INCREASING DRAMATICALLY. THESE ARE THE ASSUMPTIONS OF THE "GREEN LEADER" PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY PAFF AND SUCCESSFULLY TESTED IN A 2021 PILOT VERSION. THE PROGRAM EXPLOITS EXPERIENCES GAINED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MANY LOCAL PRO-ECOLOGICAL PROJECTS WITHIN PAFF'S AND OTHER NGOS' ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST. THE INITIATIVE IS ADDRESSED TO LOCAL LEADERS IN VILLAGES AND TOWNS OF UP TO 50,000 RESIDENTS (TOWNS WITH POPULATIONS OF UP TO 150,000 IN JUSTIFIED CASES); PARTICULARLY PAFF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, AS WELL AS OTHER CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS WHO BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. FROM 2021 TO 2024, 212 PARTICIPANTS FROM 74 COMMUNES ACROSS POLAND JOINED THE PROGRAM. THE MAIN PART OF THE PROGRAM INVOLVES TRAINING AND CONSULTING. ITS PARTICIPANTS LEADERS AND THEIR TEAMS CAN FOLLOW ONE OF THE THREE THEMATIC PATHS: WASTE MANAGEMENT, LOCAL WATER RETENTION AND COUNTERACTING DROUGHTS, OR ENERGY EFFICIENCY. THEY CAN ALSO APPLY FOR A STUDY TOUR GRANT ABROAD OR WITHIN POLAND THAT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO ESTABLISH COOPERATION WITH PARTNERS, ACQUIRE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND, POTENTIALLY, PREPARE IDEAS FOR JOINT PROJECTS. THROUGH THE PROGRAM LEADERS LEARN HOW TO SOLVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM IMPORTANT FOR THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND/OR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION. THEY USE THESE METHODS AND TOOLS TO INTRODUCE CHANGE WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND APPLY FOR GRANTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND OTHER FUNDS FOR THEIR OWN PRO-ECOLOGICAL PROJECTS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE "GREEN LEADER" PROGRAM IS "THE GREEN EURO-NGO ADVISORS" NETWORK, WHICH IS THE NATIONAL INFORMATION AND ADVISORY SYSTEM ON THE RULES AND MECHANISMS OF MANAGING ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE PROTECTION FUNDS, MAINLY FROM THE EU. THE NETWORK SUPPORTS NGO'S AS WELL AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP'S LEADERS IN SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES. THE SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY SPECIALIZED EXPERTS PRESENT IN ALL POLAND'S REGIONS. AT PRESENT, SUCH SUPPORT IS DELIVERED BY 40 SPECIALIST ADVISORS IN EACH POLISH VOIVODSHIP (2 EXPERTS PER VOIVODSHIP). PROGRAM MANAGER: THE SENDZIMIR FOUNDATION ZIELONYLIDER.ORG LANE KIRKLAND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM, LAUNCHED IN 2000, IS TO SHARE THE POLISH EXPERIENCES IN TRANSFORMATION AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, THE SOUTH CAUCASUS, AND CENTRAL ASIA BY OFFERING THEM TWO-SEMESTER COMPLEMENTARY COURSES AT POLISH UNIVERSITIES. THE PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY ADDRESSED TO CANDIDATES FROM ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, BELARUS, GEORGIA, KAZAKHSTAN, KYRGYZSTAN, MOLDOVA, TAJIKISTAN, UKRAINE, AND UZBEKISTAN. IN THE COURSE OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS, THE SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS STUDY SELECTED ASPECTS OF ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND BUSINESS, LAW, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCES, JOURNALISM, NGO MANAGEMENT OR CULTURE MANAGEMENT. STARTING FROM THE 2023/24 ACADEMIC YEAR, THE THEMATIC SCOPE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP WAS EXPANDED TO COVER ISSUES RELATED TO THE RECOVERY OF WAR-STRICKEN UKRAINIAN AREAS, E.G., URBAN PLANNING, CIVIL ENGINEERING, AND FORENSIC SCIENCE. THE SCHOLARSHIP BEGINS WITH A PREPARATORY COURSE, WHICH AIMS TO PRESENT AND SYSTEMATIZE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POLAND'S HISTORY AND THE CURRENT SOCIO-POLITICAL SITUATION. SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS THEN GO ON TO ATTEND THEIR INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS AT UNIVERSITIES IN EITHER WARSAW, CRACOW, POZNA, WROCAW, OR LUBLIN, WHERE THEY WRITE SEMESTER AND DIPLOMA PAPERS UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF THEIR ACADEMIC SUPERVISORS. INTEGRATION AND KNOWLEDGE-SHARING MEETINGS ARE ORGANIZED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS, AS WELL AS INTERNSHIPS IN PUBLIC, NON-GOVERNMENTAL, AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS (E.G. THE SUPREME COURT, THE NATIONAL BANK OF POLAND, OR REGIONAL MARSHAL OFFICES). PARTICIPANTS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN CLASSES CONCERNING THE PREPARATION AND EXECUTION OF CIVIC PROJECTS AND TEAMWORK. IN 2016 THE KIRKLAND RESEARCH PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED. THIS IS A ONE-SEMESTER OFFER OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INTERNSHIPS FOR ACADEMICS HOLDING AN ESTABLISHED POSITION IN PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES. INTERNS FOLLOWING THIS PATH WRITE A SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THEIR ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR. EACH YEAR, THE PROGRAM IS ATTENDED BY CA. 45 INDIVIDUALS. OVER THE YEARS 2000-2024 THE PROGRAM WAS COMPLETED BY 1,073 PEOPLE FROM 13 COUNTRIES (INCLUDING 53 KIRKLAND RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS): 571 FROM UKRAINE, AND 189 FROM BELARUS, 71 FROM GEORGIA, 69 FROM RUSSIA, 45 FROM ARMENIA, 33 FROM KAZAKHSTAN, 25 FROM MOLDOVA, 20 FROM KYRGYZSTAN, 15 FROM AZERBAIJAN, 12 FROM LITHUANIA, 10 FROM SLOVAKIA, 7 FROM UZBEKISTAN AND 6 FROM TAJIKISTAN. THE MOST POPULAR FACULTIES ARE ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT, AND LAW. ALSO, POPULAR ARE SOCIAL SCIENCES, JOURNALISM, POLITICAL SCIENCES, AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. ACADEMIC STAFF, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS' REPRESENTATIVES AND EXPERTS HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PROFESSIONALS COMING TO POLAND. AFTER THE PROGRAM'S COMPLETION, THE GRADUATES KEEP IN REGULAR TOUCH BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND WITH THEIR POLISH HOSTS THROUGH THE BULLETIN, ALUMNI REUNIONS, AND THE WWW.KIRKLAND.EDU.PL WEBSITE. THE ALUMNI CONFERENCES HELD EVERY 45 YEARS, HELP MAINTAIN ALUMNI TIES WITH POLAND AND WITH EACH OTHER, AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING NEW CONTACTS. THEY ALSO OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN ALUMNI KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POLAND AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE DIRECTIONS OF CHANGES IN COUNTRIES OF THE REGION. FORMER SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE COORDINATOR OF POST-SCHOLARSHIP PROJECTS, WHOSE TASK IS TO MAINTAIN GRADUATES' CONTACTS WITH POLAND AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO UNDERTAKE JOINT INITIATIVES, ALSO UNDER NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS. FROM THE VERY OUTBREAK OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE, LAUNCHED BY RUSSIA'S AGGRESSION IN FEBRUARY 2022, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES ALL KIRKLAND SCHOLARS CURRENTLY STAYING IN POLAND WITH BROAD INFORMATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT. KIRKLAND'S SCHOLARS HAVE ALSO BEEN OFFERED ASSISTANCE IN BRINGING THEIR FAMILIES TO POLAND. THE PROGRAM TEAM STROVE TO MEET ALL INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE NEEDS REPORTED BY UKRAINE-BASED ALUMNI. AMONG OTHERS, THE PROGRAM SENT MEDICATION, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AND FOOD. IN JUST TWO WEEKS, NEARLY PLN 100,000 FROM THE KIRKLAND PROGRAM BUDGET WAS REDIRECTED TOWARDS HUMANITARIAN AID AND COORDINATING AID EFFORTS IN UKRAINE. THE LEADERS OF CHANGE FOUNDATION, MANAGER OF THE PROGRAM, WORKED TOGETHER WITH KIRKLAND ALUMNI TO RAISE FUNDS AND IN-KIND DONATIONS. THESE EFFORTS ENABLED THE EQUIPPING OF THREE AMBULANCES, WHICH WERE DELIVERED TO UKRAINE BY KIRKLAND ALUMNI CURRENTLY RESIDING IN POLAND. MANY FORMER KIRKLAND SCHOLARS PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN UKRAINIAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, ACADEMIA, INSTITUTIONS OF CULTURE, NGOS, BUSINESS, AND MEDIA. FOR EXAMPLE, FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF UKRAINE AND MINISTER OF REINTEGRATION OF TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, IRYNA VERESHCHUK, STUDIED AT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN WARSAW FROM 2015 TO 2016. BETWEEN 2001 AND 2013 THE KIRKLAND PROGRAM WAS MANAGED BY THE POLISH-U.S. FULBRIGHT COMMISSION. IN THE FOLLOWING PERIOD LEADING UP TO 2016, THE EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION TOOK OVER MANAGING THE PROGRAM. SINCE 2017 SOME OF THE KIRKLAND SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN FINANCED FROM FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE POLISH NATIONAL AGENCY FOR ACADEMIC EXCHANGE. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE LEADERS OF CHANGE FOUNDATION KIRKLAND.EDU.PL REGION IN TRANSITION (RITA) THE PROGRAM, LAUNCHED IN 2000, IS ADDRESSED TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WILLING TO SHARE POLAND'S EXPERIENCE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATIONS AS WELL AS EU INTEGRATION WITH PARTNERS FROM EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS, AND CENTRAL ASIA. THE PROGRAM'S OPEN GRANT COMPETITIONS AWARD GRANTS TO POLISH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR PROJECTS DESIGNED TO SHARE EXPERIENCES, ESPECIALLY IN BUILDING CIVIL SOCIETY, SOCIAL ASSISTANCE, TRANSFORMATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION REFORM, AND FREE MEDIA. THE AVERAGE GRANT AMOUNT IS PLN 60,000. ABOUT 30 GRANTS ARE AWARDED ANNUALLY. AS PART OF THE PROGRAM, ORGANIZATIONS MAY ALSO APPLY FOR SMALL TRAVEL GRANTS WHICH CAN BE EARMARKED FOR PROJECT CONSULTATION WITH A FOREIGN PARTNER BEFORE THE APPLICATION FOR A REGULAR GRANT IS SUBMITTED, FOR STRENGTHENING COOPERATION WITH A PARTNER ORGANIZATION OR EVALUATION OF AN IMPLEMENTED PROJECT. UNDER A SPECIAL GRANT PATH, "RITA" PROGRAM GRANTS MAY BE USED FOR CO-FINANCING A LARGER PROJECT FOR WHICH A GIVEN ORGANIZATION HAD BEEN AWARDED A GRANT FROM OTHER SOURCES POLISH OR FOREIGN. SUCH PROJECTS MUST COMPLY WITH OBJECTIVES OF THE "RITA" PROGRAM AS WELL AS GEOGRAPHIC AND THEMATIC AREAS OF ITS OPERATIONS. THE MAIN GRANT COMPETITION IS ANNOUNCED TWICE A YEAR. APPLICATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY MID-MARCH AND BY MID-OCTOBER. APPLICATIONS FOR TRAVEL GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR LARGER PROJECTS ARE ACCEPTED ON AN ONGOING BASIS UNTIL THE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR THOSE ACTIVITIES ARE EXHAUSTED. STARTING FROM 2021, SEASONED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, I.E. MANAGERS OF "RITA" PROJECTS, ARE WELCOME TO APPLY FOR GRANTS OF UP TO PLN 100,000 UNDER THE "RITA PARTNERSHIP TO POWER" COMPETITION TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAM OFFERS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERT SUPPORT TO POLISH NGOS AND SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE IN ESTABLISHING CONTACTS AND DEVELOPING COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN PARTNERS. EVERY TWO YEARS MEETINGS OF THE "RITA" PROGRAM GRANT RECIPIENTS, "AMBASSADORS OF TRANSITION IN THE REGION," ARE HELD. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A INFORMATION EXCHANGE BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS AND CIVIC LEADERS IS FACILITATED BY THE WWW.CIVICPORTAL.ORG SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE. THE PORTAL IS ALSO AN E-LEARNING PLATFORM OFFERING TRAINING TO POLISH AND FOREIGN NGOS. BETWEEN 2000 AND 2024, "RITA" PROVIDED SUPPORT TO 1,234 PROJECTS. IN THE FIRST DAYS OF MARCH 2022, IN RESPONSE TO RUSSIA'S AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE AND THE IMMEDIATE AID EFFORTS OF POLISH NGOS, "RITA" OPENED AN AD-HOC "UKRAINIAN PATH" IN ITS GRANT COMPETITION. AVAILABLE ORGANIZATIONAL AND FINANCIAL "RITA" RESOURCES WERE REDIRECTED TO THE NEW PATH. THE "UKRAINIAN PATH" BECAME THE SEED OF A NEWLY CREATED, SEPARATE "SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE" PROGRAM. THANKS TO THAT, THE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF A TOTAL OF PLN 1.7 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED TO AD-HOC PROJECTS. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION PROGRAMRITA.ORG STUDY TOURS TO POLAND (STP) LAUNCHED IN 2004, THE PROGRAM IS ADDRESSED TO ACTIVE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS FROM COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE AND OTHER POST-COMMUNIST STATES. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO SHOW PARTICIPANTS THE REALITIES OF POLAND AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, AS WELL AS DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL CONTACTS BETWEEN YOUNG LEADERS FROM EASTERN EUROPE AND THEIR POLISH HOSTS. UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE OFFERED A STUDY TOUR OF A DOZEN OR SO DAYS TO POLAND; CURRENTLY THE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE CANDIDATES AT THE AGE OF 18 TO 23 WHO WANT TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POLISH ACADEMIC COMMUNITY, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, LEADERS OF PUBLIC LIFE; THEY ALSO PARTICIPATE IN LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, AND CULTURAL EVENTS COME FROM BELARUS, MOLDOVA, AND UKRAINE. STUDENTS APPLY TO THE PROGRAM INDIVIDUALLY. THE TOURS ARE ORGANIZED FOR MIXED GROUPS OF ABOUT A DOZEN PEOPLE COMING FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES. THEY ARE HELD TWICE A YEAR, IN THE SPRING AND THE FALL, AND ARE MANAGED BY EXPERIENCED POLISH NGOS, SELECTED IN AN OPEN COMPETITION. STUDY TOURS FOR STUDENTS ARE COORDINATED BY THE BORUSSIA FOUNDATION. THE OFFER FOR PROFESSIONALS IS ADDRESSED TO REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, STATE ADMINISTRATION, CENTRAL STATE INSTITUTIONS, NGOS, MEDIA, EDUCATION, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL GROUPS FROM EASTERN EUROPE, THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS, AND CENTRAL ASIA. THE TOURS, AIMED AT SHARING THE POLISH EXPERIENCES IN TRANSFORMATION AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION, ARE HELD IN COOPERATION WITH POLISH NGOS AS WELL AS CENTRAL AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION BODIES. AFTER THE MAIDAN EVENTS OF 2014, SPECIAL EMPHASIS IN CONTACTS WITH UKRAINE HAS BEEN PLACED ON SHARING EXPERIENCE WITH PEOPLE INVOLVED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INTEGRATION OF UKRAINE WITH EU STRUCTURES. FROM 2004 TO 2024, STUDY TOURS TO POLAND WERE HELD FOR 7,219 CITIZENS OF UKRAINE, INCLUDING 4,916 PROFESSIONALS AND 2,203 STUDENTS. THE RECRUITMENT OF PARTICIPANTS IN STUDY TOURS FOR PROFESSIONALS IS PRECEDED BY A LETTER OF INTENT SENT TO THE "STP" PROGRAM OFFICE IN WARSAW BY AN INTERESTED INSTITUTION AND ITS PARTNER ORGANIZATION FROM THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION, OR BY A POLISH NGO AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. BETWEEN 2004 AND 2024, A TOTAL OF 11,000 PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING 4,000 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND 7,500 PROFESSIONALS REPRESENTING VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTS TOOK PART IN THE STUDY TOURS. IN 2022, AFTER THE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION IN UKRAINE HAS STARTED, PAFF LAUNCHED THE "STP FOR UKRAINE" INITIATIVE WITH A BUDGET OF PLN 900,000. POLISH NGOS WHO HAD HOSTED STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL LEADER GROUPS IN POLAND CHANNELED MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL AID THROUGH PROGRAM ALUMNI TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE WAR. AID REACHED MOST OF UKRAINE'S 24 OBLASTS, INCLUDING THE CITY AND OBLAST OF KYIV, AS WELL AS THE OBLASTS OF LVIV, TERNOPIL, DNIPROPETROVSK, KHARKIV, SUMY, AND LUHANSK. UNDER THE "STUDY TOURS TO POLAND" PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION IS INVOLVED IN THE WARSAW EURO-ATLANTIC SUMMER ACADEMY WEASA A JOINT INITIATIVE OF PAFF, THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE COLLEGE OF EUROPE. THE ACADEMY OFFER INVOLVES TWO WEEKS OF CLASSES, BASED AT THE NATOLIN CAMPUS, AND IS ADDRESSED TO EXPERTS FROM THE EU EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES, I.E. ANALYSTS, POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENT ADVISORS, THINK TANK AND NGO STAFF, CIVIL SERVANTS, AND JOURNALISTS. OVER THE FIRS YEARS, THE THEMATIC SCOPE OF THE ACADEMY COVERED POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION, EUROPEAN INTEGRATION, AND TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS. SINCE 2017, WEASA'S MAIN SUBJECTS HAVE BEEN DIGITAL CHALLENGES, CYBERSECURITY IN PARTICULAR. "EURO-ATLANTIC RELATIONS AND INTEGRATION IN TIMES OF CRISIS" WAS THE TITLE ADOPTED FOR THE TWELFTH WEASA ROUND. POLAND'S EXPERIENCES IN JOINING NATO AND THE UE WERE AN IMPORTANT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, OWING TO THE 25TH AND 20TH ANNIVERSARIES RESPECTIVELY, OF POLAND'S ACCESSION TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS. FROM 2013 TO 2024, THE TWELVE WEASA EDITIONS ATTRACTED 522 PEOPLE FROM EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES AND (SINCE 2017) THE WESTERN BALKANS, INCLUDING: 50 PARTICIPANTS FROM ARMENIA, 38 FROM AZERBAIJAN, 47 FROM BELARUS, 92 FROM GEORGIA, 43 FROM MOLDOVA, AND 143 FROM UKRAINE. PROGRAM MANAGER: THE LEADERS OF CHANGE FOUNDATION STUDYTOURS.PL SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE THIS SPECIAL GRANT PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED BY THE POLISH-AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION IN RESPONSE TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE. IT IS AIMED AT ASSISTING POLISH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WHICH PROVIDE AID TO CIVILIANS IN UKRAINE AND REFUGEES FLEEING TO POLAND FROM THE WAR. TO DATE, PAFF HAS ALLOCATED MORE THAN PLN 11 MILLION TO THE PROGRAM, WHICH ENABLED IT TO CO-FINANCE ALMOST 217 PROJECTS. PRIORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE WELL-ESTABLISHED COOPERATION WITH THEIR PARTNERS IN UKRAINE, AS WELL AS THOSE OPERATING IN POLISH VILLAGES AND SMALL TOWNS WHERE UKRAINIAN WAR ESCAPEES WERE ARRIVING AND STAYING. FUNDING IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR COORDINATING POLISH NGOS' ACTIVITIES FOR UKRAINE AND UKRAINIAN REFUGEES INCLUDING COOPERATION WITH OTHER POLISH INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITIES. UNDER OPEN GRANT COMPETITIONS, "SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE" PROVIDES FUNDING FOR PROJECTS WHICH PROVIDE UKRAINIAN CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH EDUCATION AND CARE DURING THEIR STAY IN POLAND, AND SUPPORT THOSE STAYING IN UKRAINE; DELIVER LEGAL, CIVIC, PROFESSIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AID TO UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN POLAND, ALONG WITH ASSISTANCE IN ACCESSING PUBLIC SERVICES; THE PROJECTS MAY ALSO RELATE TO PREVENTING ACTS OF DISCRIMINATION AND HOSTILITY AGAINST UKRAINIAN REFUGEES, COUNTERACTING DISINFORMATION, AND PROVIDING RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE COMMUNITY IN POLAND AND THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE. "SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE" BUILDS ON A SPECIAL INITIATIVE THAT WAS LAUNCHED AS PART OF THE "RITA" PROGRAM. AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH 2022, IN RESPONSE TO THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE, "RITA" OPENED AN AD-HOC "UKRAINIAN PATHWAY" IN ITS GRANT COMPETITION. ORGANIZATIONAL AND FINANCIAL RITA RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT THE TIME WERE REDIRECTED TO THE NEW PATH. ONCE "SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE" SEPARATE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED, THE "UKRAINIAN PATH" BECAME PART OF IT. IN MARCH 2022, 422 POLISH NGOS PRESENTED THEIR INITIATIVES IN THE COMPETITION FOR GRANTS FOR INTERVENTION PROJECTS. THE GRANT COMMITTEE SELECTED 59 PROJECTS: 44 IMPLEMENTED IN 14 POLISH PROVINCES, AND 15 IN UKRAINE. THOSE PROJECTS WERE AIMED AT PROTECTING THE LIFE AND HEALTH OF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION IN UKRAINE. UNDER THE SUBSEQUENT FIVE ROUNDS OF GRANT COMPETITIONS HELD FROM THE FALL OF 2022 TO THE SPRING OF 2024, 132 GRANTS WERE AWARDED FOR PROJECTS, MAINLY THOSE SUPPORTING UKRAINIAN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE BOTH IN POLAND AND UKRAINE. THE AID FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THEIR ACCESS TO SCHOOL AND NON-SCHOOL EDUCATION, AS WELL AS PSYCHOLOGICAL, LEGAL, AND LANGUAGE SUPPORT. INFORMATION ACTIVITIES, LEGAL CONSULTING, AS WELL AS CAMPAIGN OF COUNTERACTING DISCRIMINATION AND DISINFORMATION ON UKRAINIAN REFUGEE COMMUNITIES IN POLAND AND EVENTS IN UKRAINE WERE ALSO CO-FINANCED. THE PROGRAM'S DIRECT SUPPORT BENEFITTED ALMOST 97,000 REFUGEES STAYING IN POLAND, ABOUT HALF OF WHICH WERE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER 18, AS WELL AS ALMOST 160,000 PEOPLE IN UKRAINE, INCLUDING OVER 34,000 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE. MORE THAN 70,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED HUMANITARIAN AID, 14,000 GOT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT, AND 15,000 LEGAL AND CITIZEN ADVICE. WHILE THE CAMPAIGN AIMED AT COUNTERACTING DISINFORMATION ABOUT REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE REACHED OVER 220,000 PEOPLE IN POLAND. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A ALONGSIDE "SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE," PROGRAM MANAGERS RAISED MORE THAN PLN 30 MILLION FOR SEVERAL DOMESTIC PAFF PROGRAMS FROM SUCH FOREIGN ORGANIZATIONS AS SAVE THE CHILDREN AND PLAN INTERNATIONAL. THESE FUNDS WERE USED TO ASSIST UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN POLAND, CHIEFLY CHILDREN AND YOUTH INTEGRATION, THROUGH THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, "LEARNING SCHOOLS", "SCHOOL WITH CLASS", AND "ACT LOCALLY". PROGRAM MANAGER: THE EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION FED.ORG.PL/WSPIERAMY-UKRAINE MONITORING, EVALUATION AND ANALYSES (MEVA) "MEVA" IS AN EXPERT-RESEARCH UNDERTAKING INITIATED IN 2005. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO CARRY OUT REGULAR ANALYTIC RESEARCH IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PAFF PROGRAMS. THE METHODS DEVELOPED UNDER "MEVA AND THE RESULTS OF ITS ANALYSES ARE ALSO USED BY OTHER NGOS TO PURSUE THEIR ACTIVITIES. THE ANALYTICAL WORK AIDS IN DETERMINING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE GOALS DEFINED IN PAFF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS ACHIEVED RESULTS, MEET THE EXISTING NEEDS AND ARE CAPABLE OF RESOLVING THE PROBLEMS ADDRESSED, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES, EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND OVERALL EDUCATION QUALITY IMPROVEMENT. FOR EXAMPLE THE RESULTS OF EVALUATION STUDIES OF PROGRAMS, SUCH AS "ACT LOCALLY," "THIRD AGE UNIVERSITIES, OR PAFF AND UW SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, HELPED THE FOUNDATION BOTH TO DETERMINE FUTURE PROGRAM INITIATIVES AND MODIFY EXISTING ONES. ONE OF THE TASKS OF "MEVA" IS TO MONITOR COMPLETED PAFF PROJECTS IN TERMS OF THE DURABILITY OF THEIR OUTCOMES. PAFF'S POTENTIAL ACTIONS ARE EVALUATED IN THE CONTEXT OF EXISTING AND ANTICIPATED SOCIAL NEEDS. TO THAT END SELECTED SOCIAL GROUPS AND COMMUNITIES ARE STUDIED FOR EXAMPLE VILLAGE YOUTH, LIBRARIANS, OR NGO EMPLOYEES AND NEW INITIATIVES ARE TESTED. AN EXAMPLE IS THE STUDY ON KEY TRENDS INFLUENCING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN VILLAGES AND SMALL TOWNS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE ROLE OF A LOCAL LEADER, CARRIED OUT IN 2019 UNDER THE "PAFF LEADERS" PROGRAM. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE ANALYSIS OF THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM'S IMPACT ON ITS PARTICIPANTS, WHICH COMPARED PROGRAM LIBRARIES WITH THE LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITIES THAT DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. IN 2024, A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH "RURAL YOUTH 2024" ON THE BEHAVIORS, ATTITUDES AND FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SOCIAL ACTIVITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN TOWNS AND VILLAGES WITHIN MUNICIPALITIES OF UP TO 20,000 INHABITANTS WAS CARRIED OUT. BETWEEN 2022 AND 2023, SOME ANALYSES AND EVALUATIONS (INCLUDING "ACT LOCALLY AND THE LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM) WERE AIMED AT IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMS FACED BY NGOS AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS DUE TO THE INFLUX OF REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE, SO AS TO ADJUST THEIR ACTIONS. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, MEVA ANALYSES AND STUDIES PROVIDED THE BASIS FOR MODIFYING PROGRAMS AND ADJUSTING THEM TO THE CHANGING CONDITIONS JUST AS DURING THE PANDEMIC. AN ANALYSIS WAS ALSO CARRIED OUT TO ASSESS THE POSSIBILITIES FOR PAFF AND COOPERATING INSTITUTIONS TO JOIN LOCAL COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL AND ANIMATION ACTIVITIES AIMED AT PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE. THESE LED TO THE CREATION OF THE "GREEN LEADER" PROGRAM. AS PART OF THE "MEVA" PROGRAM, MUTUALLY COMPLEMENTING AND STRENGTHENING ELEMENTS OF PAFF PROGRAMS ARE ANALYZED IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FOUNDATION'S ACTIVITIES OVERALL. AMONG THE PROJECTS SERVING THAT GOAL IS THE "SQUARED EVALUATION" INITIATIVE HELPING FOSTER EVALUATION CULTURE AMONG THE ORGANIZATIONS CLOSELY COOPERATING WITH PAFF, PART OF WHICH THE "EVALUATION HOW DO YOU CARRY IT OUT?" GUIDE WAS PREPARED. CYCLICAL SEMINARS ABOUT EVALUATION RESEARCH ARE ALSO BEING HELD. SPECIAL AMONG THESE IS THE "IMPACT ON SOCIAL CAPITAL IN PAFF COMMUNITIES" PROJECT (THE SO-CALLED "BOX") THAT HELPED CREATE AND TEST A SET OF METHODS AND RESEARCH TECHNIQUES ENABLING THE DETERMINATION OF CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF SOCIAL CAPITAL RESULTING FROM THE IMPACT OF FOUNDATION PROGRAMS ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THROUGH "MEVA," PAFF SUPPORTS ALSO THE "SHIPYARD" FOUNDATION, WHICH IT CO-FOUNDED. AT THE SAME TIME, THE "SHIPYARD" FOUNDATION IS THE MANAGER OF A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE "MEVA" PROGRAM ITSELF. POLSKO-AMERYKANSKI FUNDUSZ POZYCZKOWY INICJATYW OBYWATELSKICH SPOLKA Z O.O (PAFPIO) PROVIDES BRIDGE FINANCING TO NGOS THROUGHOUT POLAND, FINANCING THAT COMMERCIAL BANKS ARE UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO PROVIDE. IN 2024, PAFPIO MADE 153 LOANS TO 93 BORROWERS TOTALING $5,271,532. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 3 THE FOUNDATION HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH NORLUND, INC., PURSUANT TO WHICH NORLUND, INC. PROVIDES THE CONSULTING SERVICES OF NORMAN E. HASLUN III. MR. HASLUN OWNS NORLUND, INC. 100%. FOR 2024, NORLUND, INC. ISSUED INVOICES TO THE FOUNDATION FOR A TOTAL OF $121,176, OF WHICH $121,000 WAS FOR THE CONSULTING SERVICES OF MR. HASLUN AND $176 WAS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS ELECTED MR. HASLUN TO SERVE AS TREASURER, SECRETARY AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE FOUNDATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THE ORGANIZATION HAS MEMBERS AS REQUIRED FOR DELAWARE NON-STOCK CORPORATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION PROVIDES THAT THE MEMBERS ARE THE DIRECTORS AND THAT IF ANY MEMBER CEASES TO BE A DIRECTOR HE OR SHE WILL ALSO CEASE TO BE MEMBER. THE MEMBERS ELECT THE DIRECTORS AND MAY APPROVE CERTAIN CORPORATE ACTIONS AS PROVIDED UNDER DELAWARE LAW. THE MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE ANY ECONOMIC RIGHTS IN THE ORGANIZATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE ORGANIZATION HAS MEMBERS AS REQUIRED FOR DELAWARE NON-STOCK CORPORATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION PROVIDES THAT THE MEMBERS ARE THE DIRECTORS AND THAT IF ANY MEMBER CEASES TO BE A DIRECTOR HE OR SHE WILL ALSO CEASE TO BE MEMBER. THE MEMBERS ELECT THE DIRECTORS AND MAY APPROVE CERTAIN CORPORATE ACTIONS AS PROVIDED UNDER DELAWARE LAW. THE MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE ANY ECONOMIC RIGHTS IN THE ORGANIZATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B THE ORGANIZATION HAS MEMBERS AS REQUIRED FOR DELAWARE NON-STOCK CORPORATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION PROVIDES THAT THE MEMBERS ARE THE DIRECTORS AND THAT IF ANY MEMBER CEASES TO BE A DIRECTOR HE OR SHE WILL ALSO CEASE TO BE MEMBER. THE MEMBERS ELECT THE DIRECTORS AND MAY APPROVE CERTAIN CORPORATE ACTIONS AS PROVIDED UNDER DELAWARE LAW. THE MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE ANY ECONOMIC RIGHTS IN THE ORGANIZATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF THE 2024 FORM 990 (INCLUDING SCHEDULES) (THE "FORM 990"): THE FORM 990 WAS PREPARED BY MANAGEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION AND REVIEWED BY (I) BAKER HOSTETLER, LEGAL COUNSEL TO THE FOUNDATION, AND (II) DELOITTE TAX LLP., WHO WAS ENGAGED BY THE FOUNDATION TO REVIEW AND SIGN THE FORM 990. THE FORM 990 WAS THEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALL DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION PRIOR TO FILING FORM 990 WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY (THE "CONFLICTS POLICY") REQUIRES THAT ALL CURRENT DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, KEY EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXERCISE SUBSTANTIAL INFLUENCE OVER THE ORGANIZATION ("COVERED PERSONS") COMPLETE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE EACH YEAR OF HIS OR HER AFFILIATION WITH THE ORGANIZATION. THE CONFLICTS POLICY REQUIRES THE COVERED PERSON TO DISCLOSE ANY ACTUAL, POTENTIAL OR APPARENT CONFLICTS, AND AFFIRM THAT THEY HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO ADHERE TO THE CONFLICTS POLICY. COVERED PERSONS MUST ALSO SUBMIT A NEW QUESTIONNAIRE DISCLOSING ANY RELEVANT CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. QUESTIONNAIRES ARE DISTRIBUTED AND COLLECTED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S COUNSEL ON BEHALF OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND ANY DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS ARE FORWARDED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW AND EVALUATION. AT SUCH TIME AS A CONFLICT IS REPORTED, THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MAKES INQUIRIES TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST, INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT, AND IF APPROPRIATE REFERS THE MATTER TO THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AFTER DISCLOSURE OF THE POTENTIALLY CONFLICTING INTEREST AND ALL MATERIAL FACTS, AND AFTER ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS, THE INTERESTED PERSON IS REQUIRED TO RECUSE HIMSELF OR HERSELF FROM DELIBERATIONS AND VOTING RELATING TO THE MATTER AND IS REQUIRED TO REFRAIN FROM ATTEMPTING TO INFLUENCE OTHER DECISION-MAKERS RELATING TO THE MATTER. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTS ITS FINDINGS FROM ITS REVIEW OF COUNSEL'S MEMORANDUM TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE SUMMARIZING ALL ANNUAL CONFLICTS QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUALLY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION. THE COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND OTHER OFFICERS IS EVALUATED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHO EVALUATE THE COMPENSATION LEVEL AND COMPARABLE COMPENSATION OF CEO'S AND OFFICERS OF COMPARABLE FOUNDATIONS. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE DEVELOPS A RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR APPROVAL. NEITHER THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NOR THE OTHER OFFICERS ARE PART OF ANY OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OR BOARD OF DIRECTORS DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THEIR COMPENSATION. MINUTES OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS ARE PREPARED AND RETAINED. THE PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION WAS LAST CHANGED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025, AND HIS COMPENSATION WAS EVALUATED IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE IN 2024. THE SECRETARY, TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER'S COMPENSATION WAS LAST CHANGED IN 2022 (SUCH CHANGE WAS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023), AND HIS COMPENSATION WAS EVALUATED IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE IN 2024. THE COO AND HEAD OF THE REP OFFICE COMPENSATION WAS LAST CHANGED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025 AND HIS COMPENSATION WAS EVALUATED IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE IN 2024. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 OUR ANNUAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE INCLUDED IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT, WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ONCE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE (WWW.PAFW.PL). OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AND UPON MANAGEMENT'S DISCRETION. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: CURRENCY RE-MEASUREMENT LOSS -275,345. POLSKO-AMERYKANSKI FUNDUSZ POZYCZKOWY WISNIOWA 40B/15 WARSZAWA PL LOANS TO NGO'S IN POLAND PL 894607 5776191 PART I, IDENTIFICATION OF DISREGARDED ENTITIES: NAME, ADDRESS, AND EIN OF DISREGARDED ENTITY: POLSKO-AMERYKANSKI FUNDUSZ POZYCZKOWY INICJATYW OBYWATELSKICH SPOLKA Z O.O. EIN: 98-1056604 UL. WISNIOWA 40B/15 02-520 WARSZAWA, POLAND 02-520