Short summary:
Between 2017 and 2023, Polish NGOs working on democracy, human rights, and minority support faced political pressure and restrictions. This session presents how some built successful individual giving programs during this period, mobilising donors and ensuring financial resilience.
Full description:
From 2017 to 2023, several Polish NGOs in democracy, human rights, rule of law, and minority rights faced targeted name-and-shame campaigns by government-affiliated media and increased formal restrictions, aiming to isolate and discredit them. Despite this hostile environment, some organizations not only survived but transformed the adversity into an opportunity by launching or scaling individual giving programs, tapping into public solidarity and building resilient support bases. The session will explore two such examples, analyzing the strategies that made “difficult” or “controversial” causes fundraisable and discussing which tactics continued to generate income even after the political shift following the October 2023 elections. This session is designed for fundraisers and civil society leaders under pressure, seeking to transform adversity into agency.
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Presentation:
Andrzej Pietrucha