The fund was established in 2003 from a donation of PLN 99,390.69 bequeathed by Beata Pawlak, a journalist and writer who died in a terrorist attack on the Indonesian island of Bali on October 12, 2002. The Fund is fed by income from the investment of entrusted funds, as well as by donations from individuals and contributions of 1.5% income tax.
From the Fund’s resources – in accordance with the donor’s wishes – an annual prize named after her was established for authors of the best publications (books and articles) on other cultures, religions and civilizations. An amount of PLN 10,000 is allocated annually for the prize. In 2006 the award was founded by the Znak publishing house Społeczny Instytut Wydawniczy Znak, and in 2008 by Agora S.A.
The Beata Pawlak Prize is awarded by a Chapter consisting of: Piotr Kosiewski (Stefan Batory Foundation), Maria Kruczkowska (“Gazeta Wyborcza”), Antoni Rogala (family representative), Olga Stanislawska (reporter) – suspension of membership for 2022-2024, Adam Szostkiewicz (“Polityka”) – chairman, Joanna Załuska (Stefan Batory Foundation), Wojciech Załuska (Catholic News Agency). In past years, members of the Chapter included: Urszula Doroszewska (ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Lithuania), Wojciech Jagielski (“Tygodnik Powszechny”), Piotr Kłodkowski (orientalist, laureate of the Award in 2004) and Wojciech Tochman (reporter).
Candidates for the award, selected from among authors of texts published in Polish in the period from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year, are proposed by members of the Chapter and the so-called nominators: Max Cegielski (writer and traveler, laureate of the 2009 Award), Krzysztof Czyżewski (Borderland Foundation), Konstanty Gebert (columnist for “Gazeta Wyborcza”) – no nominees in 2022, Wojciech Jagielski, Jarosław Mikołajewski (writer and columnist, laureate of the 2016 Award) and Wojciech Tochman.
The award presentation is accompanied by a discussion of issues related to the coexistence and communication of cultures and civilizations.
