Foundation WINDOW TO THE EAST

National Network
Poland
Address

ul. Legionowa 14-16 lok. 101
15-099 Białystok
Poland

Białystok
Poland

Telephone
+48 668108552
Telephone (other)
+48 792 894 879
Fax
+48 85 688 31 07
E-Mail
szymon.lapinski@onw.org.pl
E-Mail (2)
fundacja@onw.org.pl
Organisation Type
Non-Governmental Organization
Year of Establishment
2008
Fields of Activity
  1. International/Cultural relations
General Information
The Foundation has a permanent team, which includes 5 full-time employees. Moreover, the structure of the organization is as follows : Foundation Council (2 m.), Foundation Board (president and vice president). Foundation is being supported by a team of experts (9 people)- academics, IT professionals, lawyers and others. Furthermore, the organization works with volunteers - most of them are students from the east (annual average 2 persons). Foundation members have wide and long-term experience in project management and international project implementation (inter alia: PMP and PRINCE2 certificates; fluent: English, Russian, Belarusian). In year 2013 budget resources amounted approximately 230 000 PLN (+/- 57 000 €). Sources of funding: Swiss contribution, Ministry of Foreign Affairs funds, Polish-American Freedom Foundation grants, statutory activities: east music bands management – The Toobes (Belarus). Main partners: Bialystok University (and it’s Vilnius branch) , Brotherhood of Organizers of Student Self-Governance (Belarus).
Mission and Objectives

WINDOW TO THE EAST Foundation was established in 2008 and aims to "build a window" on the eastern border of a united Europe, so that this border does not become a wall separating people living on both sides. People acting in the organization defines this "window" as a living, run by all stakeholders dialogue that allows undertaking joint cross-border initiatives in the areas of education, economy, culture and science. Main objectives: good neighborly relations, international youth exchange (east-west), culture as an international instrument of nations approximation; democracy and civil society development; students from east studding in Bialystok support, intercultural and inter ethnical dialogue promotion, minorities.

Main Projects / Activities

a)Euro-active in Podlasie (Swiss Funds) international project, implemented in partnership with the European Youth Parliament. Objective - social and European mobilization of male and female students of secondary schools from the Podlasie province.
b)Creative Leaders Academy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): two study visits in Bialystok, Polonius students from east (Belarus, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine). Objective was to familiarize participants with the contemporary Poland and the work of local leaders working in the media, academia, the third sector, local government and administration. Meetings complement the lectures and practical classes in groups.
c)Study Tours to Poland (Polish-American Freedom Foundation) - is a program that brings students and professionals from countries of Eastern Europe to Poland. The visits allow the participants to become acquainted with Poland and exchange experiences concerning democratic and free-market transformations, building a country based on the rule of law, and strengthening local communities and civic initiatives.

How can you contribute to the Network in your country?

We can contribute to the ALF Network in Poland as a personal and organizational support in cooperation, actions and projects aiming at building and thereafter strengthening a “living bridge” between eastern and southern nations.

Why do you want to join the ALF Network?

We would like to expand our activities on south-eastern states - in cultural, youth exchange, democracy and civil society dimensions. We do perceive an ALF Network membership as unique and exceptional opportunity in our organization’s progress path - in organizational, functional and personal manner. ALF Network would allow us to step into a new and challenging reality by broadening our operational area.

Contact (1) Full Name
Łapiński Szymon
Head of the organisation
Paweł Mickiewicz