Queen’s of Poland Saint Hedwig Foundation works since 2000. At the beginning of our activity was to help needy people, especially disabled people, in particular, often very difficult life situations. Little by little we were seeking to convince that apart from typical an assistance activities we can and we should work so that to provide to the integration and the independence living of people named often unfortunately as “threatened by social exclusion”. Therefore much (already more than 170!) of completed projects: educational, promotional, publishing, integrative – we have recorded a few CD’s with creativity of people with disabilities, we publish books, brochures, calendars, catalogues, we organize meetings with stars, copyrights numerous workshops and trainings, rallies, concerts, conferences, and all promotional campaigns…Because you need not only the person, for which normal life is particularly challenging, and their immediate surroundings, but the environment further, social – this is, all of us, our approach, awareness, attitude. It can be done efficiently – great help here are the measures the European Social Fund allowing impetuously to realize social projects. It is the European Social Fund projects are for the foundation an important step of development - they have allowed us reach out activities not to the dozens, but hundreds and thousands of people. Gradually we have become an organization of many involved in social work people, most of the great experts. Extremely important in the foundation's activities is the social economy - methods of achieving social goals of economic methods. We consider it as one of the most important and most effective ways combating the effects of disability, unemployment, addiction, etc. Companies give social work and a sense of powerless people whose chances on the open market are negligible. Well-functioning social cooperatives, betting activity, the company's non-profit foundations and associations engaged in economic activity makes them people who were a part, not only can work, but they have a sense of dignity and success. Therefore, when the foundation was the first Polish Social Economy Centre of the Disabled. It supports the people - especially disabled people - who want to work in the field of social economy. We advise, train, help set up a social economy, such as social cooperatives, we provide accounting services, marketing and legal subjects implied. In the future we look with optimism - a load of positive energy, joie de vivre and infect the atmosphere of success, we can bring more friends and co-workers (at home and abroad) who are not afraid to work and undertake even the most daring challenges.




Brief overview of major projects, ESF of Foundation:

1. Examples of projects completed:

Wielkopolska training project, "I know how to help. Raising the qualifications of the institutional environment of the disabled” (training project in which 600 people from various institutions for people with disabilities have the opportunity to meet and exchange experiences through participation in workshops, discussions, brainstorming sessions, meetings with the ON and the employer.) Project co-European Social Fund and the budget PFRON;

Nationwide promotion project "Able-bodied success. Promoting a new integration”, which in the contest Best Practices ESF earned Best Investment in Human Being 2007, (directly to the campaign reached more than 5,000 people, caused 200 publications in the media, took 50 meetings of information and promotion of disabled people's success). Project co-funded by the European Social Fund and the budget PFRON;

Projects that promote social economy in Wielkopolska and Lodz voivodeship : "The social economy - the economy's success" (in the province of Lodz), "Economics and Social Success" and "Wielkopolska Social Economy" (in the voivodship Wielkopolska). A common feature of these projects was the goal - to provide public information and shaping a positive attitude to the social economy - and the methods of action: promotion campaigns were carried out simultaneously in newspapers, radio, television and the Internet. Projects co-financed by the European Social Fund;

Wielkopolska training project "Social Economy as a trump". The project trained 450 people affiliated with the institutions of social economy sector in Wielkopolska. During the three-day meeting discussed the following topics: fundamentals of social entrepreneurship, the financing of social economy, presentation, negotiation, strategy, image building social economy and its product / services, advertising, marketing (including media relations). Project co-funded by the European Social Fund.

Wielkopolska promotion and project information: “Working tailored to your needs. Flexible and alternative forms of employment”. The project was carried out above each of the 31 districts of Wielkopolska few hours of conferences, informational and promotional. Invited experts and attractive (audio-visual) presentation of practical solutions to help you understand the principles of flexible forms of employment. Media campaign was conducted in parallel and poster-flyer. Project co-funded by the European Social Fund.



Selected projects of the Foundation in the implementation of the ESF:

Social Integration Club works from 01. 01. 2011 at the headquarters of the Foundation. It is a meeting place for coffee, integration, skills development for disabled people and their environment. Every day are taking place group classes and individual courses (with a lawyer, psychologist, counselor training). Every week participants are waiting for special attractions as trips, outputs to the cinema, theater. Participants suggest themselves and organize many classes. Project co-financed by means of European Social Fund.

Social Economy Centre of the Disabled was established on 1 March 2011, but is the result collected by many years of experience. Together with the Regional Center for Social Policy (project partner) is responsible for adapting the instruments of social economy to the needs of people with disabilities. Across Wielkopolska region is expected to create dozens of partnerships, planned training, counseling, and for rising actors - to help bookkeeping, marketing support, legal, etc.. Project co-funded by the European Social Fund.

Program for new opportunities – under this heading are realized training projects in the Wielkopolska and Kujawy-Pomerania region. Addressed to not working disabled people over 45 years, where we offer comprehensive support - biweekly training camp, intensive courses in computer services support, individual counseling. Projects co-financed by means of the European Social Fund.