More information
Description
Following the report of the European Environment Agency (EEA), Poland is among the most polluted European countries (mostly with PM2,5 and PM10 dusts and benzopyrene). The aim of the project is to establish the Smog Alarms Academy - the initiative assuming support and development of civic initiatives functioning as part of the Polish Smog Alarm and new civic groups acting in favour of improvement of air quality in Poland. Today in the Polish Smog Alarm there are approximately 50 groups. The project will contribute to the network development, strengthening those groups and building support of a strong civic community focusing on the issue of air protection. By dint of the Smog Alarms Academy, people in the Local Smog Alarms will receive support in the form of: - capacity to take part in regular trainings and workshop meetings; - capacity to take part in coordinated happenings; - capacity to use the anti-smog and legal advice bureau; - access to anti-smog activist guidebook. In the long run, by establishing the Smog Alarms Academy, the project will contribute to solving the problem of a dramatic air quality in Poland and thus to increasing the importance of the air pollution issue through coordinated and intensified activities in mass media. Through the project, we want to increase the access to information on air pollution and through substantial strengthening of local groups engaged in air protection we will be able to disseminate our impact on a domestic, regional and local anti-smog policy. The partners in the project are as follows: Frank Bold Foundation and the Małopolskie Voivodeship. The Frank Bold Foundation is an NGO specialising in ecology and legal matters. Małopolskie voivodeship - in Małopolska the first anti-smog resolution has been adopted being a role model for the next 12 voivodeships. This experience is going to be used in the project.
Summary of project results
According to research, Poland is one of the most polluted countries in Europe. The aim of the project was to establish the Smog Alert Academy—an initiative designed to support and develop civic initiatives operating within the Polish Smog Alert (PAS) network and new citizen groups working to improve air quality in Poland.
The project contributed to the growth of the network, strengthening these groups, and building strong civic support around the issue of air protection. It facilitated the expansion of the Polish Smog Alert network (from 43 groups before the project to 61 by its completion) and the creation of new initiatives focused on air quality improvement.
The training sessions provided substantive knowledge and included workshops on how to become an effective activist and promote civic engagement in the area of air protection. As a result, the project expanded the scale and reach of the PAS network and increased the number of initiatives addressing air protection, particularly in small towns. Strengthening local groups engaged in air protection significantly enhanced their influence on national, regional, and local anti-smog policies.
A Smog Counseling Service was launched for project participants, offering daily support, along with a Legal Counseling Service, which, over three years, provided 106 legal consultations and handled administrative and judicial-administrative proceedings in six cases.
Media campaigns reminded decision-makers of the urgent need to take decisive action to improve air quality in Poland. During the project, 18 new local anti-smog initiatives joined the PAS network, and five individuals joined existing local smog alerts (bringing a total of 41 new members to PAS). The project also hosted 23 thematic webinars and five in-person training meetings for PAS activists.
Throughout the project, events like Clean Air Day happenings were organized, primarily linked to the launch of the campaign See What You Breathe. Change It! During three editions of this campaign, numerous events were held to raise awareness of the Polish Smog Alert''s activities and highlight the poor air quality in the country.
A Guide for Activists was created for members of Local Smog Alerts, providing specific actions that both activists and municipal employees can undertake to protect air quality. The project began and concluded with press conferences attended by journalists from Kraków-based radio stations, newspapers, and television outlets.
The project yielded satisfactory results, with more local initiatives joining PAS than initially anticipated. This demonstrates the potential for the project to grow in the future. Through its implementation, the project successfully built lasting support for a strong civic community focused on air protection and applied pressure on municipal representatives, encouraging effective action.
Municipalities influenced by active local smog alerts have become role models for neighboring areas, inspiring a growing number of anti-smog initiatives—both "hard" measures, such as policy changes, and "soft" measures, such as public awareness campaigns. This accelerates the transition away from coal combustion.
The project facilitated connections with authorities and media and launched impactful campaigns that captured media attention, subsequently applying pressure on municipal representatives. The expanding network of civic movements received critical support, enabling widespread development. Educational materials, such as the Activist Guide and webinar recordings, will serve as valuable resources for future anti-smog initiatives, helping them gain knowledge and grow their efforts effectively.