The impact of a flood doesn’t end when the water recedes. That’s why HumanDoc and the Biedronka Foundation have launched a joint support program for people still living in the shadow of the 2024 disaster.

Several months after the 2024 flood that devastated parts of southern Poland, hundreds of families still have nowhere to return. Their homes remain damp, their utilities are damaged, and temporary housing arrangements are becoming increasingly unsustainable. In these conditions, normal life remains out of reach. From the very beginning of the crisis, HumanDoc was present on the ground — not only delivering immediate aid but also working with a long-term recovery perspective.

As part of this continued support, HumanDoc has partnered with the Biedronka Foundation to assist those most affected by the disaster. The project provides 350 prepaid cards worth PLN 1,000 each, allowing for direct, flexible support to families from flood-stricken areas. The assistance is aimed at people whose living conditions prevent them from returning home and who urgently need help securing basic necessities.

The program is built on a straightforward but effective mechanism: the distribution of prepaid cards, empowering recipients to decide how to meet their own most pressing needs. This support reaches 350 individuals facing significant life disruptions. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution — it’s a way to restore dignity and agency during recovery.

The program is implemented through a network of local coordinators and a carefully structured qualification process. HumanDoc is responsible for the operational management and ongoing monitoring of impact, while the Biedronka Foundation provides funding and distribution support. The combination of these competencies ensures the response is timely, coordinated, and delivered with respect for those who have experienced trauma.

For years, HumanDoc has specialized in humanitarian interventions at the intersection of crisis response and social recovery. At the heart of this work is a consistent focus on people and their real, immediate needs. The partnership with the Biedronka Foundation strengthens this mission — and ensures our support continues where it’s needed most.

Partner

“Polska Costa” is a project that responds to the real needs of the Polish community living in southern Spain – the need for visibility, integration, and pride in one’s heritage. However, our efforts are not directed solely at the Polish diaspora. We want Polish culture to be present in public spaces, accessible and engaging also for Spaniards and the international community of Costa Blanca.

What’s the goal of the project?
First – to increase the visibility of Poland in the local cultural landscape.
Second – to strengthen the identity and integration of Polish communities abroad.
Third – to create lasting tools for cultural promotion that will continue to work even after the project ends.

That’s why we chose local, multilingual, and inclusive actions. Events that engage, not just inform.

We organized an interactive “Discover Poland” booth during the International Festival of Culture in Jávea – with activities for both children and adults, including crafts, quizzes, music, and tastings of Polish cuisine. We also distributed bilingual informational materials about Poland, its history, and modern-day culture. Our goal was to present a diverse and contemporary image of Poland – one rooted in tradition, yet open to the world.

In Santa Pola, we held an exhibition of Polish artists whose works reflected the experience of living in Spain. We showcased Polish sensitivity and curiosity about the world – in a space not typically associated with Polish culture. For many, it was their first direct encounter with art from Poland.

In autumn, we organized a family picnic to celebrate Polish Independence Day. It wasn’t an official ceremony, but a community celebration – with music, quizzes, activities for children, and local food. We wanted everyone – regardless of origin – to feel part of the community.

Complementing our offline efforts is the newspaper Polska Costa, which we publish in three languages: Polish, Spanish, and English. It covers everyday life, migration, local initiatives, and culture. We reach thousands of readers across the coast – in both print and online formats.

The results?
– Hundreds of people engaged in project activities
– Increased visibility of Poland in the region
– Stronger bonds within the local Polish community
– Promotional materials that will serve beyond the project’s timeline
– A network of partnerships with local institutions – from museums to neighborhood associations

“Polska Costa” is a project that works here and now – but also leaves a lasting mark. In relationships, in knowledge, in the sense of belonging.

The HumanDoc Foundation is implementing this project in collaboration with the local association HISPOLA and the newspaper “Polska Costa”. The initiative is co-financed as part of the Senate of the Republic of Poland’s support for the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad in 2025.

Violence is an egalitarian phenomenon—it can affect anyone, in any environment. However, there are certain groups or regions where the risk of experiencing violence is higher. This is particularly true for rural areas. This issue is not unique to Poland; a similar situation exists in other countries, including developed and affluent ones. The reasons lie in the socio-cultural conditions of rural communities: the weaker position of women, greater economic dependence on men, and the fact that the common definition of violence in rural areas differs from that in cities—much more has to happen before someone decides to react.

NIEobojętne is a project where women empower each other, build a support network, and discover their own strength. It is an initiative created for those who want to take action, inspire, and change the world around them. The project provides participants with tools for personal and social development, enabling them to fully utilize their potential.

Building a community of supportive women

NIEobojętne is not just about training sessions and workshops—it is a movement that connects women across Poland. Under the guidance of HumanDoc experts, participants develop skills that help them achieve their goals, organize initiatives, and become leaders of change in their communities. It is a space for sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge, and developing skills that contribute to building a stronger and more conscious society.

What does participation in the project offer?

✔ Personal and professional development – participants gain tools for effective action and the implementation of their initiatives.
✔ A network of support and collaboration  – they connect with other women who share their values and commitment.
✔ Expert knowledge  – they acquire insights into leadership, social action organization, and confidence building.
✔ Inspiration to act – they receive support in developing their ideas and creating real change.
✔ Assertiveness and voice empowerment training – they learn how to effectively communicate their needs and make bold decisions.
✔ Leadership and organizational skills  – they enhance abilities essential for leading local and social initiatives.
✔ Building mental resilience – they work on strengthening inner power and overcoming challenges.

The power of women changes reality

NIEobojętne is not a short-term project but a long-term movement empowering women. It is a space for growth, learning, and collaboration that provides the tools needed to take action and build stronger communities. Together, we create a world where every woman can feel confident and ready to face challenges.

NIEobojętne wspiera

NIEobojętne wspiera

Możesz wspomóc naszą akcję darowizną lub kupując prenumeratę Wysokich Obcasów Extra.

Rebuilding the resilience of social capital in Ukraine

This project, which brings hope to communities in Ukraine, focuses on rebuilding not only the destroyed infrastructure but also on strengthening human resilience in the face of the long-term effects of conflict. Our project is a comprehensive approach that combines the latest research-based psychological care with rebuilding physical resources, creating solid foundations for the long-term development of communities that have experienced prolonged war trauma.

From support center to the mobile clinic ArtBus

At the core of the project is the understanding that rebuilding is not just about bricks and mortar, but above all, about people. Therefore, the actions include both the reconstruction of educational facilities and intensive psychological support for communities. That’s why the project includes the construction of new support centers, such as the modern Support Center in Kharkiv. At the same time, school basements in Ivano-Frankivsk are being converted into safe, multifunctional shelters, providing young people with a place to study during missile attacks. To reach as many people in need as possible, we are launching the mobile clinic ArtBus, which brings help to children and youth in the front-line areas of the Kharkiv region.

New foundations

The project emphasizes the exchange of experiences and the improvement of skills. Through training and study visits to Poland, Ukrainian specialists gain knowledge and tools to effectively support individuals affected by war trauma. The transfer of Polish know-how in PTSD therapy and complex trauma becomes the foundation upon which Ukraine is building a modern psychosocial support system.

This project is not only a response to current challenges but also an investment in the future. Through integrated activities, communities in Ukraine are gaining new opportunities for development, learning to cope with traumas, and building stronger social bonds. It is a project that not only heals the wounds of the past but also shapes the future – a future full of hope, resilience, and sustainable development.

DONATOR

The project co-financed from the state budget under the Polish development cooperation program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland

Discover the festival in a real or virtual cinema and become part of a global reflection on the contemporary world.

The HumanDOC Festival offers a deep understanding of global issues and encourages reflection on our role in the world. Through global education, showcasing the causes and effects of phenomena, and highlighting interdependencies, the festival helps build a more aware and responsible society. It is an extraordinary film experience that can inspire action toward a better, more just world.

The best documentaries from around the world are waiting for viewers in Poland, and it’s completely free—just visit vod.humandoc.pl and enjoy the festival from the comfort of your own home. The HumanDOC International Documentary Film Festival is a unique event that attracts audiences from all over Poland every year. The festival offers access to outstanding documentaries from around the globe, including those nominated for an Oscar. Among the films, you’ll find real, moving human stories, depictions of threats to our planet, transformations in contemporary society, and the extraordinary cultures of the world.

Face to Face with Filmmakers
Meetings with creators are an integral part of the festival. Viewers have the chance to participate in online sessions with directors and filmmakers, allowing for a deeper understanding of the stories presented.
Additionally, the festival offers Master Directing Workshops led by renowned filmmakers, as well as discussion panels with experts that delve into the topics explored in the documentaries.
HumanDOC at Home also brings additional surprises, such as expert commentary on the films and discussion panels that help viewers gain a closer understanding of the stories and current global issues.

DONATOR

The project co-financed from the state budget under the Polish development cooperation program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland

– The passion of people creating Polish radio and television in the USA and their determination to ensure their compatriots in exile do not lose their ties with Poland are admirable. That is why it is so important to sustain their enthusiasm and equip them with tools that will help them realize their mission in today’s realities.

Dominika Springer, member of the Management Board of the HumanDoc Foundation

Nearly 10 million people of Polish origin live in the USA, and Chicago is the second city in the world, after Warsaw, in terms of the number of Poles. For many of these people, the only source of information about their homeland is Polish Radio Chicago and TV Polvision. Unfortunately, the limited human and equipment resources of both editorial offices do not allow them to adapt the program offer to the expectations of young recipients.

The new Polish diaspora generation is becoming increasingly immersed in American culture. Most of them do not know Polish and have never been to their parent’s country. To strengthen their ties with Polish culture, it is important to modernize the Polish media in the USA and implement attractive television formats for young people.

The project “Support and Development of Electronic Polish Media in the USA “ includes the following activities:

 – creation of a modern television and radio editorial office equipped with modern equipment

 – launching new social media and streaming channels

 – workshops for editorial staff on the latest TV and radio formats, conducted by journalists from Poland to design the most interesting program offer (bilingual), also for young audiences

 – creating, in cooperation with Polvision Television and Polish Radio 1030 Chicago, a series of video podcasts presenting the experiences of Polish mothers living in the USA.

For many migrants, mainly women and young people, it has become clear that they will not be able to return to their homes in Ukraine for a long time to come, and that the time of ‘limbo’ needs to be turned into concrete decisions and steps they need to take in order to live a normal life.

Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, there has been a daily influx of people seeking opportunities for a better, more secure life for themselves and their loved ones. Currently, there are about one million such people registered in our country, mostly women, children and young people.

After the phase of providing immediate assistance to war refugees, the phase of their long-term integration into Polish society begins. This is the focus of the project entitled. “Holistic support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland”, which the HumanDoc Foundation is implementing together with the POP FUND Fund of Polish NGOs.

The main objectives of the project:

– Improving the quality of life of refugees outside major metropolises and in rural areas, including support for the voluntary relocation of refugees from metropolises, with high living costs, to smaller towns where the cost of living is lower. Provision of legal and professional information and psychological support.

– Support for the voluntary removal of refugees from collective accommodation centres and vocational activation to enable beneficiaries, including mothers with young children, to regain a sense of agency and independence.

– Inclusion and continuation of refugee children in Polish schools through teaching them the Polish language and remedial and integration classes.

– Material support for children in care centres (so-called children’s homes), which lack funds not only for educators, but also for basic daily necessities such as books, clothes, shoes and medicines.

– Supporting refugees from other groups particularly vulnerable to exclusion, including ethnic and sexual minorities.

Project funded by Google.org through the POP Fund.