3rd sector, social economy and corporate social responsibility in poland

3rd Sector, Social Economy and Corporate Social Responsibility

in Poland

“NO PROFIT EUROPE” GRUNDTVIG PARTNERSHIP2nd Transnational meeting

Athens 10-11/2/2011

“NO PROFIT EUROPE” GRUNDTVIG PARTNERSHIP

Partner’s presentation

Name: Caritas of Gdansk ArchdioceseType of organization: church legal entity Active since: 1990In the field of SE: since 2004 (EQUAL „Na Fali”)Fields of activity: poor and homeless people, physically and mentally disabled people, unemployed, elderly people, terminal care, long-term care, children and youth (esp. from excluded environment)


3rd sector in Poland – brief history and present situation

XIXth century – 1939First citizenship activities, beginning of modern society. After 1918 (indenpedence) rise of various organisations, especially in charity – over 13.000 foundations and associations.

1939-45abolishment of official oganisations, social activities (in conspiracy) as a form of national resistance



1945 - 1980Comunist regime in Poland, only official regime organisations were allowed to exist. Collapse of civil society.

1980 - 1989Beginning of „Solidarity” movement, over 54% of workers were members. Slow rebirth of various civil organisations.



1989 - 1997First period of free NGO’s development. First government programmes for NGO’s. First cooperation programmes between NGO’s and public administration. Beginning of voluntary movement. 1997 New constitution (including the principle of subsidiarity). „Flood of the century” – unexpected scale of help for the sufferers of disaster, many people spontaneously engage in voluntary service and NGO activities.



2003 – The Public Benefit and Voluntary Act, Real milestone in development of polish NGO’s. The act regulated most areas of cooperation between NGO’s and public administration, including 1% tax mechanism and commision of some public tasks to NGO’s

2005-2010Professionalisation of NGO works, new financing perspectives with EU funds



Some statistics and reported observations:1.09.2009 – 64.500 associations and 10,100 foundations registered in National Court Registry

Main activities of polish NGO’s:sport, tourism, recreation and hobby (38,3%) culture and art (12,7%)education (12,8%)social services and social help (11,2%)health care (7,7%).



4 million people are engaged in NGO’s activities (out of 38 million citizens) 29% of NGO’s hire some paid personnel 44% of NGO’s cooperate with volunteers (who are not the members of those organizations) Over half of NGO’s have income over 5.000 Euro per year



Main problems for polish NGOs: bad financial situation and problems with acquiring funds (61%) too much bureaucracy in public services (53%) difficulties in access to sponsors, UE grants etc. (52%) lack of people willing to work voluntary for the benefit of NGOs (51%).



Area of influence: 25% NGO’s act in close vicinity

49% act in the area of commune or county

33% act on the territory of whole country

27,5% NGO’s are members of various federations

8% are members of transnational federations and organisations



Public relinace for polish NGOs:

65% citizens believe that „NGOs help is more efficient than government help”

67,4% of them believe that „NGOs activity is more needed than 5 years ago”



1% of citizens trust in political parties and movements21% of citizens trust in government and parliament31% of citizens trust in courts35% of citizens trust in charity organisations (in general)75% of citizens trust in army and catholic curch84% of citizens trust in Polish Red Cross, Caritas and The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation (they are the biggest NGO’s in Poland)


Social Economy in PolandLegal frames for SE:

Social Cooperatives Act, 2006 Public Benefit and Voluntary Act, 2003 Social Help Act, 2004 Social Employment Act, 2003 Promotion of Employment and Labor Market Institutions Act, 2004 Vocational and Social Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled People Act, 1997


Social Economy in PolandClassical SE subjects: cooperatives (esp. cooperatives of disabled people)

New SE subjects: social cooperatives (297 registered until 7.02.2011) based on Italian type „B” cooperatives

Transitional subjects: 3rd sector institutions entering SE field: Vocational Activity Works, Occupational Therapy Workshops, Centres of Social Integration


Social Economy in PolandProblems of polish social cooperatives (SC): they are perceived neither business nor classic NGOs there is very little tradition of cooperative business, people prefer to work on their own members of SC do not have business knowledge and intuition, excluded people do not feel themselves „natural born businessmen” it is difficult to trust someone, who wants to lead SC, lack of social credit among membersnot enough of public and legal support for SC society is not used to such form as SC, they are not perceived as confidential partner


Social Economy in Poland

insufficient support form local administration (i.e. public procurements with scoial economy criteria)lack of legal regulations about buying SE services in preferable wayinsufficient sources of external financing for SC


Social Economy in PolandMost popular activities of polish SE subjects:

Social services education support (i.e. running a small shop to upkeep small school in rural area) general social services (i.e. Community Houses for homeless people, where inhabitants are being engaged into running the house) health care (i.e. training and preparing basic hospital personnel, home care services, nursing services, running a pharmacy)


Social Economy in PolandMost popular activities of polish SE subjects:

Technical servicespreservation of municipal greenery (i.e. for people who have rental debts)

segregation and utilisation of waste (i.e. EKON SC – 800 mentally disabled and mentally ill people working there!)

building and repair works


Social Economy in PolandMost popular activities of polish SE subjects:Other free market activities: computer graphic and DTP gastronomy and catering leisure and sport (i.e. lending sport equipment – water bikes, sails, maintenance of municipal watering-plase) running a hostel local tourism and historical heritage (i.e. Jurassic Park in Baltow, Gothic tribal village in Wesiory, Hobbit Village in Sierakowo) production, farming and trade (i.e. fruits and vegetables, poultry)“NO PROFIT EUROPE” GRUNDTVIG PARTNERSHIP

Corporate Social Responsibilityin Poland

1998 – Academy of Philantrophy Development – first institution that brought CSR idea into publicity

1999 – Centre of Business Ethics – created by scientists from Polish Academy of Science in order to promote CSR as an important condition for business development

2000 – beginning of CSR Forum – the biggest NGO active in this field in Poland. Its aims: raising business competitiveness together with social goals and care for natural environment.



2001 – „More than profit” – first book about CSR, issued by CSR Forum. Some of CSR stadnards and proposals of strategies were main idea of this book.

First website about CSR: www.odpowiedzialnybiznes.pl

2002 – CSR Forum joins the CSR Europe Organisation

2003 – first official report : „CSR in Poland in 2002” “NO PROFIT EUROPE” GRUNDTVIG PARTNERSHIP

http://www.odpowiedzialnybiznes.pl/


2008 – cooperation of CSR Forum and PricewaterhouseCoopers with Energy Regulation Department. The goal is to implement some good practices and standards in the field of energetics for companies and scientific institutes.

CSR Forum joins the Global Impact – UN Secretary Kofi Annan initiative on CSR promotion.

2009 – cooperation of CSR Forum and Ministry of Economics in the field of sustainable development.

First edition of polish Globe Award for best initiatives in the field of sustainable development



Public perception for CSR idea in Poland:

70% of citizens are ready to pay more for products, which are safe for environment

50% of citizens would not buy goods from „socially iresponsible” companies

Qualities most valued by customers are:ecological productionproduction without using child workers (esp. PRC).


Thank you for your attention!

Caritas of Gdansk Archdiocese

Al. Niepodleglosci 77881-805 Sopot POLAND

tel. +48 58 555 78 78, fax +48 58 551 57 46

e-mail: [email protected]. gdansk.caritas.pl


mailto:[email protected]

3rd sector, social economy and corporate social responsibility in poland

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