8th Corporate Foundations Forum: Shared values, new challenges and inspiring practices

8th Corporate Foundations Forum: Shared values, new challenges and inspiring practices

Over a hundred representatives of corporate foundations, social organisations and experts from all over Poland met during the 8th edition of the Corporate Foundations Forum. This year's event was an opportunity to reflect on the role of trust, the image of beneficiaries, effective aid in times of crisis and climate responsibility. As every year, the Forum provided rich material for discussion and inspiring examples of good practices.

Dialogue and partnership in the spotlight
The Forum began with a session about the relationship between foundations and their grant recipients. Experts Ewa Kulik-Bielińska from the Stefan Batory Foundation and Magda Pocheć from the Feminist Fund shared their experiences in building relationships based on trust, openness and a partnership approach. The importance of dialogue and transparency in grant processes as the foundations of lasting cooperation was emphasised.

Image of beneficiaries – responsibility and ethics
The next session focused on the responsible use of the image of people supported by foundations. Antonina Bojanowska from the Orange Foundation drew attention to standards for protecting the image of children online. Zofia Sapijaszka from the Educational Entrepreneurship Foundation spoke about young adults and their representation in promotional materials. Justyna Rysiak from the Biedronka Foundation raised the issue of the image of older people, who are often overlooked or stereotyped in social communication.

Help in a crisis – local experiences
The third session gave participants an insight into the realities of flood relief. Zuzanna Komornicka from the Śnieżnik Massif Local Fund talked about relief efforts, highlighting the need for long-term support, local roots and attention to the real needs of the community.

Climate at the heart of social action
The topic of climate change and the responsibility of foundations was raised in the fourth session, which presented the experiences of the signatories of the Climate Declaration. Three inspiring practices were presented:

‘My Environment’ – an employee volunteering programme of the ING Children's Foundation, presented by Joanna Dymna-Oszek,
the educational activities of the BNP Paribas Foundation, presented by Marta Tomaszewska,
and incorporating climate considerations into Santander Foundation grant programmes, as described by Marzena Atkielska.

The future of activities – good practices and real impact
The last session was a review of innovative projects and activities that strengthen the impact of corporate foundations. Among the initiatives presented were:

the Nutricia Foundation's ‘Caregiver – Competencies for the Future’ programme, presented by Agata Prorok and Irmina Brede,
reflections on the future of the teaching profession – a joint project of the PwC Foundation and Teach for Poland, presented by Paulina Koszewska and Katarzyna Nabrdalik,
activities for urban resilience in the face of climate change – the experiences of the Veolia Foundation presented by Monika Ustrzycka,
and the payroll mechanism – an example of effective mobilisation of individual donors, presented by Joanna Gajda-Wróblewska and Joanna Kula from the BNP Paribas Foundation.

The 8th Corporate Foundations Forum showed how diverse and yet consistent the activities of corporate foundations can be when they share a common goal – building strong, resilient and engaged communities and organisations. The participants returned from the Forum with new ideas, tools and, equally importantly, a sense of community and shared responsibility.