Poland launches "Social Activist of the Year" award to honor civic engagement

Poland is launching the "Social Activist of the Year" competition to celebrate and elevate the importance of civic engagement across the nation. The initiative, set to open for nominations on August 5, 2026, seeks to honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to improving their communities and inspiring others to act.

The competition aims to shift the perception of social activism from a niche activity to a source of pride and a vital component of societal strength. Organizers emphasize that social activists are not just occasional heroes but everyday individuals who build trust, foster cooperation, and find solutions to local challenges. This growing generation of engaged citizens is seen as crucial for Poland's future, complementing the work of formal institutions.

Paweł Łukasiak, president of the Academy of Philanthropy in Poland, stated that social activists represent a capital as important as entrepreneurship and creativity. He highlighted the goal of the competition: to showcase that these individuals are among us daily and to encourage more people to become involved. The award seeks to recognize those who initiate grassroots actions, build partnerships, and effectively mobilize others.

Candidates can be nominated in three categories: local engagement, national engagement, and building social resilience. The nomination period runs until September 11, 2026. Organizations, informal groups, and individuals can submit nominations, with non-organizational submissions requiring a reference from a registered NGO. Winners will be celebrated at a final gala event.

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For many years, it was said that Poland's greatest capital was entrepreneurship and creativity. Today, we are increasingly seeing that an equally important capital is people who can build trust, cooperation, and mutual responsibility. We want to show that social activists are not just heroes for special occasions, they are among us every day. The competition for the title of "Social Activist of the Year" is not only to distinguish such people, but also to inspire others to act and show that social engagement is a reason to be proud.