Equal Opportunities Program

The Program assists local organisations working to enhance access to education for young people from small towns and impoverished communities, as well as those striving to counteract social exclusion of physically and mentally disabled children by providing them with education and personal development opportunities.

Equal Opportunities – Local Scholarship Programs

The project, carried on from 2000, aims at assisting the establishment of an alternative scholarships system for young people wishing to continue high-school education. In pursuing this initiative, we hope to assist talented youth from low-income families by putting in place new mechanisms for financing scholarships that base on local resources. The local scholarship funds established with our assistance raise money for scholarship grants from local businesses, individual donors, and the local governments. Such funds operate on the basis of their own charters, drawn up by special scholarship committees; the scholarships awarded by them, varying between PLN 50 and 250 per month, are used to purchase textbooks and other learning aides, to pay for lodging, extra courses, commuting to school, etc. The decision to award a scholarship is usually based on the applicant’s school record and on the financial standing of her/his family, sometimes also on involvement in community service and in similar non-academic pursuits.

In 2003 the project involved 35 organizations. The Foundation provided them with training in the area of establishment, management, and promotion of scholarship programs, raising and administration of funds, and building local coalitions. Upon meeting the condition of raising a declared amount of funds from local resources, each organization received a grant from the Stefan Batory Foundation towards increase of the scholarship fund. In 2003 the organizations partici-pating in the project raised PLN 953,621 in local communities. This amount increased by the grant provided by the Stefan Batory Foundation, Levi Strauss & Co., and Mrs. and Mr. Miechowicz totaling PLN 668,750 financed 1283 monthly scholarships in the school year 2003/2004.

Rainbow Academy

This project targets organisations that operate in small towns and rural areas and engage in activities to assist mentally and physically disabled children. The ultimate purpose is to improve the children’s opportunities for education, and to overcome their social exclusion. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to organisations operating in locations with a population below 20,000.

The first edition of the competition covered Lublin, Łódź, Małopolska, Podkarpacie, Silesia, and Świętokrzyskie provinces, the second – Podlasie, Varmia-and-Mazurian, West Pomeranian, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, and Lower Silesian. Grants were made to support projects that use art and creative work in education and therapy for disabled children, as well as projects serving to integrate disabled children with their peers and their community. We offered priority to projects which were part of long-term efforts, relied on work with the local community and involved volunteers and the families of needy children.

Grants were co-funded by Commercial Union Poland (PLN 100,750.00), and by the M Fund established by a private donor (PLN 60,500.00).

The Commercial Union Charitable Fund

For the past eight years, the Foundation has been co-operating with the insurance company Commercial Union Poland, which has been providing us with donations to support the disabled, children and youth. In 2003, from the Commercial Union’s funds we made 22 grants for integration and education of disabled children projects (grants are listed and described below under the Rainbow Academy section).

The Foundation manages also Commercial Union Charitable Fund used to finance endeavours identified by the donor, involving support for the sick and needy people, as well as support to educational projects.

The M Fund

In 2002, thanks to a donation made to the Foundation by a private donor, M Endowment Fund was established. Income generated by the Fund is annually spent for various forms of assistance to needy children. In 2003, M Fund earnings were used to finance 11 grants for integration and education of disabled children projects (grants are listed and described below under the Rainbow Academy section).

In line with the wish of the M Fund founder a part of the annual earnings on the investment of the Fund was allocated to the purposes identified by the donor involving support for sick children and children in need of care.

Grants and donations:		PLN 990,612.00
Training sessions and meetings:		PLN 26,217.20
Total:		PLN 1,016,829.20
Local Scholarship Programs
Regional Development Agency – North-Eastern Mazovia Ostrołęka	Grant to support the Course Scholarship Fund of the Kurpie Region targeting junior high and secondary school students from the Ostrołęka county. From grant and other funds 36 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Barciany Educational Initiative Barciany	Grant to support the Bartek scholarship fund targeting young people from the Barciany borough. From grant and other funds 17 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Foundation for International Education Wrocław	Grant to support the zDolny Śląsk scholarship program targeting talented young people from the Lower Silesian voivodship. From grant and other funds 37 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Elbląg Foundation, Community Foundation of the Elbląg Region Elbląg	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school and university students resident in Elbląg and the Elbląg county. From grant and other funds 38 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Community Foundation of the Biłgoraj Region Biłgoraj	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting young people from the Biłgoraj county and Zwierzyniec borough. From grant and other funds 127 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,400
Cultural Initiatives Foundation Radomsko	Grant to support a scholarship program for artistically gifted young people from the Radomsko county. From grant and other funds 22 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 14,050
Knowledge Foundation to Aid Children and Young People Świerklaniec	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting young people from the Świerklaniec borough. From grant and other funds 16 scholarships were awarded for the 1st term of the year 2003/2004 (Levi Strauss & Co. donation)	PLN 11,300
Social Welfare Foundation Brzeszcze	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting the Oświęcim county. From grant and other funds 51 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004 (Levi Strauss & Co. donation)	PLN 21,600
Family Foundation Sławno	Grant to support the Talent for Talent scholarship program targeting young people from the Sławno borough. From grant and other funds 36 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 22,000
Gołdap Region Development Foundation Gołdap	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting young people from the secondary schools of Gołdap. From grant and other funds 19 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 5,250
Łukta Region Development Foundation Łukta	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting young people from selected boroughs of the Ostróda county. From grant and other funds 31 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Sokółka Community Foundation Sokółka	Grant to support the Top of the Class scholarship program targeting junior high and secondary school students from the town and borough of Sokółka, and Sokółka school students resident in other boroughs. From grant and other funds 36 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Catholic Club Warsaw	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school and university students. From grant and other funds 27 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 30,000
Leżajsk Development Association Leżajsk	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting young people from the Leżajsk county. From grant and other funds 46 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 19,100
Polish Humanitarian Action, Pomeranian Chapter Toruń	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting young people from secondary schools of the Toruń borough. In the school year 2003/2004, 20 general scholarships and 22 language course stipends were awarded (Levi Strauss & Co. donation: PLN 1,470)	PLN 5,000
Nowy Sącz Foundation for the Development of Rural Areas and Agriculture Nowy Sącz	Grant to support the Patoczek Brothers Scholarship Fund targeting gifted junior high and secondary school students from boroughs of the Małopolskie voivodship. From grant and other funds 80 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 22,000
Community Foundation of the Year 2000 Charitable Association Tomaszów Mazowiecki	Grant to support the Most Talented Young People scholarship program operating in the Tomaszów county. From grant and other funds 17 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 13,300
Together Charitable Association Zelów	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school students from the Zelów borough. From grant and other funds 16 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 5,850
A. Bąkowska Scholarship Fund for Young People from Rural Areas Association Sońsk	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting graduates of Agricultural Schools of the Continuous Training Centre in Gołotczyzna – university day curriculum students. From grant and other funds 5 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 16,050
Rural Initiatives Association Stoczek Łukowski	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school students from three neighbouring boroughs of the Łuków county. From grant and other funds 41 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004 (Levi Strauss & Co. donation)	PLN 21,500
Association to Support Aesthetic Education Białystok	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting junior high and secondary school students resident in the Białystok and Hajnówka counties. From grant and other funds 35 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004 (Levi Strauss & Co. donation)	PLN 25,800
Local Development Association Białobrzegi	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school and university students from the Białobrzegi borough in the Podkarpackie voivodship. From grant and other funds 45 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 27,000
Haven Association to Support the Establishment of a Friendly Educational Environment for the Children and Youth of Iława Iława	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school students from the Iława county. From grant and other funds 30 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 17,950
Nidzica Community Foundation Association Nidzica	Grant to support the Top of the Class scholarship program targeting secondary school students and junior high school graduates resident in three boroughs of the Varmia and Mazurian voivodships. From grant and other funds 30 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 20,000
Dezydery Chłapowski Educational Association Kościan	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting junior high second- and third-graders, and secondary school and university students from the Kościan county. From grant and other funds 22 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,200
Helping Hand Association Złoty Stok	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting young people from the Złoty Stok borough. From grant and other funds 22 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 8,750
Association of Friends of the Public Junior High School in Nowiny Sitkówka-Nowiny	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting junior high school students from the Sitkówka-Nowiny borough, and secondary school graduates from the area. From grant and other funds 49 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Association of Catholic Families of the Katowice Archdiocese, St. George Parish Club Goczałkowice-Zdrój	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school and university students from the Goczałkowice-Zdrój borough. From grant and other funds 13 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004 (Levi Strauss & Co. donation)	PLN 18,650
Association for Local Development and Philanthropy Kielce	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting Kielce secondary school students. From grant and other funds 20 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Association to Support the Development of the Człuchów County Człuchów	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school students (including vocational school students who have chosen their education in a will to follow family traditions) and university students. From grant and other funds 76 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Common Knowledge Educational Society Gdańsk	Grant to support the Kartuski County scholarship program targeting secondary school students from rural areas. Thirty-seven scholarships have been awarded for the 1st term of the school year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Echo of Pyzdry Cultural Association Pyzdry	Grant to support the Mecenate scholarship program targeting young people from the Pyzdry borough and neighbouring boroughs. From grant and other funds 21 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004 (PLN 570 from Wojciech Miechowicz’s donation)	PLN 21,500
Society of Friends of the Muszyna Region Muszyna	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school students from Muszyna, and music school students from Muszyna and neighbouring areas. From grant and other funds 19 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,500
Society to Support the Development of Dzierzgoń Dzierzgoń	Grant to support the Genius County Scholarship Fund targeting secondary and junior high school students from the Sztum county. From grant and other funds 24 scholarships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 22,000
Society to Support the Development of the Kwidzyn County Kwidzyn	Grant to support a scholarship program targeting secondary school and university students from the Kwidzyn county. From grant and other funds 56 scho-larships were awarded for the year 2003/2004.	PLN 21,000
Training sessions and meetings	Meetings and training sessions for organisations managing Local Scholarship Programs	PLN 26,217.20
Rainbow Academy
Cogito Foundation Cracow	Theatre for Life – Czernichów project: staging Dratewka the Shoemaker and the Good Dragons fairy tale with participation of the disabled, local pupils, and volunteers (students of the Pedagogics College in Cracow); delivering classes in art therapy, music therapy, and art; sessions with a psychologist (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 10,000
First Aid Foundation Krosno	Spark of Hope project: a series of three-day workshops for disabled children and young people, and their custodians, plus a workshop for therapists, pedagogues, and volunteers; workshops are organised at the Legraż Home of Art in Bóbrka near Solina, and target residents of local villages and towns (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 9,800
Sokółka Community Foundation Sokółka	No Borders project: continuing work to stage a Weird Truths Theatre performance (theatre of movement, gesture, and sound), with participation by the disabled, children attending social therapy day care centre activities, and students of the Sokółka Secondary School (grant funded from Commercial Union and the M Funds)	PLN 10,000
Junior High School No. 1 Barczewo	Follow Your Imagination project: ceramic, art, and theatre classes, plus an exhibition to summarise several months of work by students of the Junior High School attended by a group of the disabled (grant financed by the M Fund)	PLN 4,900
Krasnystaw Association for the Disabled Krasnystaw	Pantomime Theatre Workshops project: pantomime and movement theatre classes as a form of aid in making friends, in group work, and in integration with the local community; classes involve joint work and fun, with participants designing all stage elements and costumes themselves, as well as seeking new theatre forms (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 10,000
Małopolska Forum of European Education Klucze	Theatre and Journalist Workshops: this workshop, co-organised with the local Echo Klucz monthly, was attended by disabled children and young people from the Klucze borough, and by their peers; workshop participants are exposed to a variety of journalist work forms (information, interviewing, review, photo reports, opinion polling), and learn to use technical facilities (dictaphones, cameras, computers, scanners) as well as word processors (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 9,070
Milicz Society of Friends of Children and Disabled Milicz	We Can Do This Too project: a series of activities addressing disabled children: hipotherapy, music therapy, model-making, theatre classes, local excursions and walking tours, day care centre classes (grant funded from private donation by Ms. Beata Burakowska-Szczygielska, and by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 7,000
Polish Association for Persons with Mental Handicap Kamień Pomorski	The Hope Club project: the Club organises theatre performances, music and drama shows, open-air art sessions, exhibitions by the disabled, and integration events – art workshops, joint tours to historical locations with the handicapped acting as guides, joint fun at concerts and bonfires (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 10,000
Polish Association for Persons with Mental Handicap Kamień Pomorski	Invisibles? Club project: the Club organises a variety of activities targeting the mentally handicapped: an editorial (bulletin publishing), art and creative work (painting on glass, icons, wood sculptures, theatre work, organising exhibitions), sports and culture (developing interest in culture, sports, and nature) (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 10,000
Unknown Trail Recreation Club Lublin	Deserted Island project: in the town of Skrzynice (Jabłonna borough), in co-operation with special care centres and art groups opearting in small towns of the Lublin region, with disabled and healthy children and young people, instructors, therapists, and volunteers attending, 6 short camping trips were organised as part of the Deserted Island program; this is a four-day simulation game for young handicapped people learning how to manage in difficult circumstances, how to be self-sufficient, take initiative, and take care of themselves (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 10,000
Catholic Action of the Varmia Archdiocese Association Kolno	Being Together project: joint therapy classes (art, cooking, dance, theatre) for disabled children and young people and their peers (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 7,000
Local Activity Centre Association Czarna Białostocka	We Are Equals – School of Tolerance project: day care centre-based therapy classes for disabled children and their healthy peers (therapy involving art, music, theatre, and games) (grant funded by Commercial Union and the M Fund)	PLN 8,000
Adults to Children Association Sępólno Krajeńskie	Stage of Sunshine project: organised at the IKAS Community Activities Club, involving therapy classes (art, music, IT, sports and recreation) and integration events; theatre performances of the Club’s Theatre of Art are staged for local residents (grant financed from the M Fund)	PLN 10,000
Hobbiton Association Sierakowo Sławieńskie	Ceramics and Sound project: workshops for disabled children and their peers, who make clay musical instruments; workshops close with an exhibition of all instruments produced, joint rehearsals, and a gala concert during the Hobbits’ Fair (grant funded by Commercial Union and the M Fund)	PLN 10,000
Kłodzko Civic Committee Association Kłodzko	Mountain Magic… Theatre Magic project: a series of theatre classes involving elements of art, music, and dance, and a series of nature and tourism interest sessions attended by handicapped children and young people; the project is in progress in 2 boroughs of the Kłodzko county (grant funded by Commercial Union and the M Fund)	PLN 10,000
*Association for the Nobody’s Stupid Here* Social Welfare Home for Handicapped Children** Chorzów-Maciejkowice	Support Network project: targeting mentally challenged children (charges of the Social Welfare Home in Chorzów), and children from the Pewel Wielka and Koszarawa villages in the Beskidy Mountains; an atelier was organised with year-round classes running (art workshops, wood sculptures with supervision by a local artist, speech therapy sessions, theatre classes), plus games and excursions, visits to a students’ mountain hut, and to local highlander dwellings (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 10,000
Opportunity Association for Education, Rehabilitation, Social Support, and Self-Governance Zambrów	Day Care Centre – My Place project: art, theatre, music, and English language classes for disabled children and their peers (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 5,000
The Way Forward Association to Support the Disabled Białogard	Integration Theatre Atelier project: joint activities of healthy and handicapped children at the EM Theatre of Emotions, with classes in pronunciation, movement, the theatre language, theatre-related literature; all work serves the purpose of staging a theatre performance (grant funded by Commercial Union and the M Fund)	PLN 10,000
Association for the Development of the Village of Wipsowo Barczewo	You and I project: a series of workshops and art sessions (working with clay), plus theatre workshops culminating in a theatre performance (grant funded from the M Fund)	PLN 5,400
Association to Support Disabled Children Ropczyce	Equal Education Opportunities for Disabled Children project: therapy classes (art, cross-stitching, painting on glass, etc.), and an Integration Mixed Schools Theatre, where healthy and handicapped children jointly stage performances, and develop their interests (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 9,000
Let’s Go Together Association to Support Disabled Children Kąty Wrocławskie	Give me a Helping Hand, my Friend! project: theatre, music, and art workshops, plus excursions attended jointly by handicapped children and children from the local Social Care Centre (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 7,000
No Barriers Association to Support the Disabled Zakliczyn	No Barriers project: integrating handicapped children with their peer group in joint attendance in cultural events, meetings with people of interesting occupations (photo artist, editor of a local newspaper, fireman, policeman), excursions, art workshops and other art activities, competitions and education classes in the library and the Internet Café (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 6,960
Sunbeam Association of Parents, Friends, and Children of the Disabled Podgrodzie	Integration Classes project: the project involves a variety of activities, with parents and volunteers involved in creative and therapy classes for handicapped and healthy children; excursions are organised (i.e. to local stables, the regional museum, the dolls’ museum), as well as competitions and Christmas pageants (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 10,000
Closer Together Therapy Day Care Centre Nowa Ruda	Rainbow Academy – Crystal Slivers project: an art education program (still life art sessions, monotype techniques, graphic logo designing) for mentally handicapped young people (grant funded from the M Fund)	PLN 4,700
Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights – Local Chapter Solec Kujawski	Integration Creative Movement Workshop project: workshops involving rhythm, dance, music, and art classes with the purpose of integrating handicapped children with their peers (grant funded from the M Fund)	PLN 4,500
Professor Franciszek Chrapkiewicz-Chapeville Society to Support Health Rehabilitation Strzyżów	Let’s Break the Magic Barrier project: a community and integration campaign, comprising among others an open-air art session attended by artists and disabled people from local correction facilities and social care homes (activity-based therapy, movement therapy, psychiatric sessions, speech therapy classes); a regional poetry-reciting competition with entries by primary and junior high school students, poetry and theatre workshops; performance of a play entitled You Are Close to Me, Man based on The Little Prince; a fancy dress show, and St. Andrew’s Night (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 6,500
Society of the Friends of Children Lubin	Others for Their Own project: a project to integrate the local community of children and young people from the Szklary Górne village with charges of the Special Education Centre and their parents; the project involves the setting up of a Village Atelier as a venue for organising meetings with artists, joint creative work, and exhibitions (grant funded by Commercial Union and the Batory Foundation)	PLN 8,000
Society of the Friends of Children Morąg	Integrating Handicapped Children with the Local Community project: art, theatre, singing and poetry reciting classes attended by handicapped children (grant funded from the M Fund)	PLN 7,000
Commercial Union Charitable Fund
Community Homes, Bread of Life Foundation Warsaw	The costs of transport of gifts from France	PLN 2,500
Odysseus Foundation for the Promotion of Talented Children Gdańsk	Cost of travel of Polish students, finalists of the Global Intelligence competition to the US	PLN 1,000
Big Brother, Big Sister Foundation – Poland Piaseczno	Developing and print of educational, training, and information materials, plus training sessions for local Big Brother Big Sister Program co-ordinators	PLN 20,000
The Affirmative World Foundation Warsaw	Organisation of the 10th Local Authorities’ The Great Eight Competition for Teenagers	PLN 5,000
Kazimierz Culture Center Kazimierz Dolny	Purchase of textiles for folk dresses for a children’s song and dance ensemble	PLN 2,000
*The Union & Poland* Foundation** Warsaw	The YES in Referendum Civic Initiative – information campaign concerning the Polish accession to the European Union referendum	PLN 10,000
Helping Hand Association to Support Handicapped Children and Young People Miastko	Organisation of the 5th Integration Festival for the Disabled	PLN 1,000
The Family Community Primary School No. 3 Warsaw	Purchase of a xerox machine	PLN 2,300
The Family Community College Warsaw	2 scholarships for students from impoverished rural families	PLN 8,000
Konrad Łańko, Cracow	Donation to cover medical treatment and post-operational rehabilitation expenses	PLN 4,902
Wioleta Mach, Gdynia	Donation for the medical treatment of two children	PLN 6,000
Marek Socha, Straszęcin	Donation to cover surgery expenses	PLN 3,000
Halina Tuskowska, Lębork	Donation to purchase basic items of everyday use	PLN 2,000
Zbigniew Witusik, Jasło	Donation to purchase a pump to treat apnoeic attacks	PLN 5,330
M Fund
In Time with Help Foundation to Support Children Warsaw	Donation to cover medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses for sick children: Kamil Machnik (PLN 1,000), Daniel and Kasia Ros (PLN 1,500), Judyta Kwasińska (PLN 1,000), and Olga Plebaniak (PLN 1,000)	PLN 4,500
Give us a Chance Foundation to Support the Development of Handicapped Children Toruń	Donation to cover medical treatment expenses for Kamil Czeszel	PLN 2,000
Society of Families with Many Children Krosno	Grant to support activities organized in a day care centre for children from impoverished and dysfunctional families	PLN 5,500
Monika Czapiewska, Czersk	Donation to support sick disabled children	PLN 2,000
Barbara Czarnecka, Łódź	Donation to help a single mother and her children in need	PLN 1,000
Zdzisława Byczek, Nysa	Donation to cover medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses for Ms. Byczek’s daughter, Katarzyna	PLN 2,000
Ewa Szymoniuk, Hajnówka	Donation to cover medical treatment expenses for Ms. Szymoniuk’s sick daughter, Paulina	PLN 2,000