In a world that’s rushing, it is easy to overlook young people who not only dream, but act. Who have the courage to initiate change, gather people around them and act for the common good. Young people who are not afraid of responsibility. These are the people for whom the St. Nicholas Foundation has been running the Academy of Leaders for 10 years – a programme shaping a new generation of Poland’s shrewd, socially engaged leaders.
It's more than a leadership course
The Academy of Leaders is an intense, one-year programme for young people aged 16-20. It is a school teaching responsibility, teamwork and pro-social activities. A place where ideas for local projects turn into real action, with a tangible impact.
Scholars of the Academy of Leaders:
- participate in a summer and a winter school;
- receive tutor support and a development scholarship;
- implement their original social projects, in their localities.
Since 2015, 329 young leaders have participated in the programme, implementing 225 projects across Poland.
Ola, Basia, Kajetan – and the thousands of beneficiaries of their initiatives
Ola from Szczecin created the “Less than 86%” project which raised awareness of loneliness among young people. She led workshops attended by 43 participants, combining intuitive painting, topics of well-being and relaxation. In addition, she recorded a podcast about loneliness, creating a space for support and relationship building.
Basia and Kajetan from Kalisz decided to act against air pollution in their city. They visited schools with an original workshop on clean air, and organized a debate between students and experts on renewable energy, to build environmental awareness among the residents of Kalisz.
And these are just two of many stories. Each one of them began with trust and support. With someone who said: I believe in you. Just give it a try. This is what gives young people the courage to act, to grow and to make a real difference in their communities.
Sometimes all it takes is one gesture to trigger an avalanche of good!
Each participant of the Academy is PLN 13,000 of real investment → in training, mentoring, scholarship and project. And the reach? Incomparably greater. Because leaders don’t act alone. They engage peers, volunteers, local communities. In turn, the result is hundreds of people inspired, activated, included.
Participation in the Academy was an incredibly developing and valuable experience for me. I feel that my communication and leadership skills have greatly improved and helped me see my projects from a different perspective. I would like to sincerely thank the Donors who made the project possible, for their support which makes a real difference in the lives of young leaders and gives us tools for a better tomorrow.
Give young people the space to take action!
The Leadership Academy is an investment in a young person who, with the support of donors, can start changing the world: beginning with his or her classroom, school, neighbourhood. This is not abstract thinking: these are concrete, smartly planned social projects, exerting real influence on local communities. They bring benefits not only to young leaders, but also to hundreds of people included in their initiatives. It means more good, more courage, more people who can act wisely, with empathy and responsibility. It's an investment in young people who are already taking matters into their own hands – and doing it well.
And we, at the Foundation, support, give space, tools and trust.
Help us raise the kind of leaders Poland needs. With hearts, values and a vision for the future.
Join the fund raising at: https://mikolaj.org.pl/wspierajliderow
or
Make a donation to (account):
SWIFT Code: PKOP PL PW
IBAN (EUR): PL95 1240 6003 1978 0010 8524 6705
IBAN (USD): PL30 1240 6003 1787 0010 8524 6561
IBAN (GBP): PL02 1240 6003 1789 0010 8524 6965
PayPal: [email protected]
We are grateful for all contributions, big or small. Thank you!
More about the project at: https://mikolaj.org.pl/akademia/
Article by: Olga Duchnik
