Polish Diaspora Projects

Projects funded by the Chancellery of the Senate of the Republic of Poland

Since 2025, the Open Dialogue Foundation is implementing a number of projects under the programme supporting the Polish diaspora and Poles living abroad, funded by the Chancellery of the Senate of the Republic of Poland.

Three of these are initiatives in which the Foundation is directly involved both substantively and organisationally:

• Open Dialogue Academy – a digital communication course for the Polish diaspora;
• Young Polish Diaspora Leaders Academy – a series of online meetings and workshops for young community leaders and activists;
• Crowdfunding Course for the Polish Diaspora – an online training programme aimed at strengthening the financial independence of Polish diaspora organisations.

The remaining seven projects are initiatives developed by Polish diaspora organisations registered abroad. In these cases, the Open Dialogue Foundation acts as an intermediary organisation (formal applicant/operator). The projects are conceived and designed by the respective diaspora organisations, which prepare the grant applications, receive the awarded funding (with the Foundation retaining the statutory maximum of 10% to cover administrative costs), and implement the projects in their respective countries.

Under the applicable regulations, Polish diaspora organisations that are not registered in Poland are not eligible to apply directly for grants from Polish public funds. In such cases, the Foundation — like other intermediary operators — acts as the formal applicant, enabling these organisations to apply for funding, administer the grants, and implement their projects in the countries where Polish communities reside.

This mechanism ensures that financial support reaches Polish diaspora communities directly through organisations that best understand the needs of their local communities and independently carry out activities for the benefit of Poles living abroad.

The projects implemented with the support of the Senate of the Republic of Poland under the “Senate – Polish Diaspora 2025” programme are designed to support the Polish diaspora and Polish citizens living abroad. Their objectives include fostering the development of young generations, strengthening the organisational and leadership capacities of Polish diaspora communities, promoting the Polish language and culture, and supporting Polish diaspora media and educational initiatives. Through these projects, it is possible to preserve Poland’s national heritage, build a positive image of Poland abroad, and encourage the active participation of Polish diaspora communities in the social and public life of their countries of residence.