Deadline: 08-Jul-2026
The Power of Small Communities 2026 program is a Polish government funding initiative that supports NGOs and informal groups in rural areas and small-to-medium towns. It focuses on strengthening community resilience, crisis preparedness, and cooperation between local organizations and authorities.
The programme is managed by the National Institute of Freedom – Centre for the Development of Civil Society (NIW-CRSO) and provides approximately PLN 28.8–30 million in funding. It supports two priority areas: building crisis-ready NGOs and funding small local initiatives that strengthen social resilience.
What Is the Power of Small Communities 2026 Programme?
The Power of Small Communities 2026 programme is a government-backed funding initiative in Poland designed to strengthen the resilience of local communities.
It supports non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and informal groups operating in rural areas and smaller urban centres by improving their ability to respond to emergencies, crises, and community challenges.
The programme focuses on building long-term cooperation between civil society organizations and local authorities.
Programme Objectives
The programme is designed to improve community resilience and strengthen civil society capacity.
Key objectives include:
- Strengthening crisis preparedness in local communities
- Supporting cooperation between NGOs and local government
- Improving digital and organizational security
- Enhancing volunteer coordination systems
- Building social cohesion in rural and small-town communities
- Supporting grassroots community initiatives
- Improving management and financial capacity of NGOs
- Increasing community self-reliance in emergencies
Programme Structure and Priorities
The programme is divided into two main funding priorities.
Priority 1: Resilient, Integrated Communities
This priority focuses on experienced NGOs working to build long-term crisis resilience.
Key Focus Areas
Funding supports activities such as:
- Developing crisis preparedness systems
- Strengthening digital security for NGOs
- Identifying and coordinating spontaneous volunteers
- Creating cooperation frameworks between NGOs and local authorities
- Conducting practical crisis response training
- Improving organizational safety procedures
Expected Outcomes
Projects under this priority aim to:
- Improve coordination during emergencies
- Strengthen institutional readiness
- Enhance cooperation between sectors
- Build structured volunteer response systems
Priority 2: Small Initiatives
This priority supports small NGOs and informal groups engaged in local community work.
Key Focus Areas
Funding supports grassroots activities such as:
- First aid training programmes
- Purchase and deployment of AED (Automated External Defibrillator) equipment
- Evacuation exercises, including for people with disabilities
- Survival skills and emergency preparedness workshops
- Community education and awareness initiatives
- Networking and capacity-building activities
- Financial and resource management training
Expected Outcomes
Projects under this priority aim to:
- Strengthen local social resilience
- Improve emergency preparedness at community level
- Build skills among small organizations
- Encourage collaboration between local groups
- Enhance access to life-saving knowledge and equipment
Funding Overview
The programme provides significant financial support for eligible organizations.
Key funding details include:
- Total budget: PLN 28.8–30 million
- Funding authority: National Institute of Freedom – CRSO (NIW-CRSO)
- Geographic focus: Rural areas and small/medium-sized towns in Poland
- Target groups: NGOs and informal community groups
Funding is allocated based on project quality, relevance, and community impact.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility depends on the priority stream.
Eligible Applicants for Priority 1
- Experienced NGOs
- Established civil society organizations
- Organizations with proven capacity in community work
Eligible Applicants for Priority 2
- Small NGOs
- Informal community groups
- Grassroots organizations
- Local volunteer-based initiatives
Programme Goals and Rationale
The programme addresses key challenges faced by local communities in Poland, including:
- Limited crisis preparedness in rural areas
- Weak coordination between NGOs and authorities
- Need for stronger volunteer networks
- Insufficient training in emergency response
- Low organizational capacity among small NGOs
By addressing these gaps, the programme strengthens local resilience and social cohesion.
Types of Supported Activities
Crisis Preparedness and Response
- Emergency planning
- Volunteer coordination systems
- Safety training programmes
- Local crisis simulations
Community Capacity Building
- Leadership training
- Organizational development
- Financial management support
- Digital security awareness
Health and Safety Preparedness
- First aid training
- AED deployment and training
- Evacuation planning
- Survival and emergency skills workshops
Implementation Approach
The programme follows a structured funding and implementation model:
Step 1: Application Submission
Organizations apply under either Priority 1 or Priority 2.
Step 2: Evaluation Process
Applications are assessed based on:
- Community impact
- Relevance to resilience objectives
- Organizational capacity
- Feasibility of implementation
Step 3: Funding Allocation
Selected projects receive financial support from the national programme budget.
Step 4: Project Implementation
Organizations implement activities such as training, coordination systems, and community initiatives.
Step 5: Reporting and Evaluation
Funded projects are monitored for effectiveness and impact.
Key Benefits of the Programme
The Power of Small Communities 2026 programme provides several benefits:
- Stronger local crisis response systems
- Improved coordination between NGOs and authorities
- Enhanced safety and emergency preparedness
- Increased capacity of small community organizations
- Better volunteer engagement and organization
- Improved access to training and equipment
- Stronger social cohesion in rural areas
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative plays an important role in strengthening civil society by:
- Supporting grassroots organizations
- Improving disaster and emergency readiness
- Enhancing local governance cooperation
- Building resilient community networks
- Strengthening rural and small-town development
It ensures that communities are better prepared to respond to emergencies and social challenges.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances by:
- Demonstrating clear community need
- Showing strong local partnerships
- Including practical crisis preparedness activities
- Providing realistic implementation plans
- Highlighting volunteer engagement strategies
- Aligning clearly with resilience objectives
- Showing long-term sustainability of impact
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the following:
- Submitting unclear or overly broad project goals
- Weak justification of community resilience impact
- Lack of cooperation with local stakeholders
- Overly complex or unrealistic project design
- Missing capacity-building components
- Ignoring emergency preparedness focus
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Power of Small Communities 2026 programme?
It is a Polish government funding programme that supports NGOs and informal groups to strengthen community resilience and crisis preparedness.
How much funding is available?
The total programme budget is approximately PLN 28.8–30 million.
Who can apply?
NGOs and informal groups in rural areas and small-to-medium towns, depending on the priority stream.
What are the main priorities?
Priority 1 focuses on NGO crisis preparedness, while Priority 2 supports small grassroots community initiatives.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects include emergency training, volunteer coordination systems, first aid training, AED deployment, and community capacity building.
Is this programme only for large organizations?
No. It specifically supports both experienced NGOs and small or informal community groups.
What is the main goal of the programme?
To strengthen community resilience, crisis preparedness, and cooperation between local organizations and authorities.
Conclusion
The Power of Small Communities 2026 programme is a major national initiative aimed at strengthening local resilience across Poland. By funding both established NGOs and grassroots groups, it builds stronger crisis preparedness systems, improves coordination, and enhances community capacity in rural and small-town areas.
Through targeted investments in training, emergency readiness, and organizational development, the programme helps ensure that local communities are better equipped to respond to challenges and emergencies effectively.
For more information, visit gov.pl.