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Description
Organisational Grant - implementation of the submitted strategy.
The mission of the Institute of Civic Affairs is to develop, shape and promote civic attitudes. We fight for the common good with numerous campaigns and projects on issues such as supporting the 3rd sector, active citizens, promoting safe food, workers'' rights and sustainable transport. We empower organisations and citizens so that their demands are heard and implemented by local and national governments. We are striving to build transparency in lawmaking and enforcement, strengthen democracy, build local communities and support climate transformation. The strategy for the next three years will address activities aimed at strengthening civil society. We will run coaching for NGOs, development packages, the Campaigners'' Forge and continue to release our publications: ‘the Civic Affairs Weekly’ and ‘the Civic Activism’. We want to expand our team, increase the number of permanent experts and supporters as well as ensure funds to cover employees’ salaries. Our strategic and operational goals include the organisation of a ''Campaigners'' Forge'' training course complemented by the support of an advocacy specialist, coaching and development packages and the creation of journalistic materials. We focus on supporting leaders of community organisations and informal groups to achieve the best results and reduce the cost of activities. Monitoring and evaluation of our activities will take place on 3 levels: the substantive level at weekly meetings, the quarterly substantive level and administrative and financial level. The evaluation will also include a risk analysis of individual activities and the management of these risks.
Summary of project results
The institutional grant enabled the Institute to conduct activities that had a direct impact on the implementation of the strategy. We assumed that we wanted to focus on the following goals: 1. Strengthening the 3rd sector in the Łódź region, in particular NGOs conducting advocacy and watchdog activities, for which support is limited - we have obtained funds to conduct OWES for 2024-2026. We underwent rebranding, which was the result of strategy and response to market trends). Thanks to this, we will be able to support local communities, organizations, create jobs in PS and develop ES. We have completed the 6th edition of the Campanier Forge. 2. Organizational, financial and substantive strengthening of the Institute - The funds from the grant translated into building financial stability. We hired a fundraiser. Further projects were submitted as part of the announced competitions. Strengthening the competences of employees directly translates into the quality of support they provide, e.g. by serving as advisors at OWES. The grant money enabled us to participate in conferences and other events, which translates into building relationships, recognition, etc. We regularly published the Civic Affairs Weekly. 3. The direction/trend that we want to emphasize more strongly in the Institute''s activities is ESG, i.e. reporting in the field of sustainable development. We see space here for monetization of activities. 4. We have become more open to coalitions and international cooperation. Among others we joined the Stop Killer Robots Coalition. 5. We increased revenues from paid activities. 6. Increasing citizens'' awareness, among others: on the topic of: abolition of cash, protection of whistleblowers, employee participation, appreciation of unpaid domestic work, geopolitics, and artificial intelligence.
1. The grant enabled the improvement of the advocacy and watchdog competences of 13 campaigners. A course was conducted that provided a solid basis for action - 3 people successfully ran in this year''s local elections. They won councilor seats. 11 people decided to take advantage of coaching. 13 declarations of partnership cooperation were included in the implementation of the Institute''s activities, in particular for the development of a network of local partnerships. Participants of the Campanier Forge were awarded mini-grants (PLN 2,000). Thanks to this, it was possible to implement small local campaigns. 2. Preparing applications, e.g. within the Solidarity Corps, Erasmus+, Stop Killer Robots Coalition, Building Bridges and obtaining part of the funding. 3. Development of the organization, improving the competences of 27 employees, which resulted in the development of new applications, increased advocacy skills, and the acquisition of new donors. 4. Through regular publications in the Civic Affairs Weekly and the Civic Activity Gazette, increasing the knowledge of the inhabitants of the region (and beyond) regarding the possibilities of getting involved in public and social life, increasing civic activity and strengthening civil society. 5. Issuing expert publications that constitute an important advocacy tool, e.g. Analysis of the Whistleblower Act. 6. Facilitating the conduct of permanent initiatives, campaigns and events for which there is no project financing, e.g. organizing the 5th Geopolitical Forum, conducting the "You have cash" fundraising campaign. You have a choice.", development of promotional materials. 7. Support in maintaining the Institute''s staff - the possibility of financing part of the remuneration, paying administrative costs (including rent, utilities, accounting costs, etc.). 8. Greater recognition of the Institute, strengthening the brand, which translated into a higher amount of funds from the 1.5% tax from taxpayers who decided to donate their tax deduction to the Institute''s activities.
1. We carried out the 6th edition of the Campaign Forge, in which we equipped 13 participants with knowledge, tools and competences to conduct campaigns more effectively. Campaigners took part in a 7-day course, 10 people took advantage of coaching, some people also benefited from mini-grants, thanks to which it was possible to carry out the campaign in communities. 2. We obtained donations from individual donors (one-time and regular), which directly affects building the strength and independence of the organization. 3. We acquired new volunteers for the Institute, including - for the first time in the history of the organization, we introduced systematic volunteering and obtained funds for a volunteer coordinator. In 2024 alone, we acquired 24 new volunteers. 4. We retained a team of nearly 30 employees, acquired new experts, including the decision to appoint a Data Protection Inspector, and acquired new authors for TSO, which allows us to build the strength of the organization through the activities carried out as a result. 5. The grant contributed directly to supporting the development of the social sector and building democratic culture and civic engagement, while implementing topics of particular value: supporting watchdog and advocacy activities, strengthening campaigners, and thus increasing the participation of residents in shaping local policies. 6. Organizational, financial and substantive strengthening - The funds from the grant contributed to building the Institute''s financial stability. 7. 27 people from the Team improved their competences during training/consulting/events.