Report on Rural Activism in Poland
Although Polish villages, in all their diversity, are home to countless initiatives led by women for the benefit of local communities, surprisingly little is still known about this engagement. What does women’s activism in rural Poland look like? Are rural women’s associations merely a relic of patriarchy? Or is feminist change also possible in a village community center, a fire station, or a kitchen?
You can find out in the Feminist Fund’s report!
Who we support
"For the Earth" Association
The Association works for refugees from centers for foreigners in Łuków and Bezwola, and conducts aid, integration and educational activities.
FemFund grants allowed the association to:
- create an art project (MiniGrant);
- develop the “Craft for Dignity” studio, where refugees learn crafts, art, increase their self-esteem, take care of themselves (extended cooperation with FemFund);
- employing a person supporting refugees from war-affected Ukraine, speaking Ukrainian, Polish and Russian, who runs an emergency telephone (GrantPoMocy).
She-wolves Collective
The collective’s work expresses its disagreement with the devastation of nature and the exploitation of valuable forests that play a key role in climate protection and are home to countless species that unfortunately cannot defend themselves.
Activities within MiniGrant:
- skillshare – 9 days of sharing knowledge and skills, including climbing, nature conservation, queer, selfcar, anti-discrimination activities.
When a mother is born
The group consists of women who share the experience of motherhood. Each of them gave birth differently, in different conditions and circumstances, but each struggled with changes in body, psyche, relationships after childbirth. They organized themselves, looking for persons with similar experience to support each other.
Activities within MiniGrant:
- 18 meetings on rehabilitation after childbirth and psychological support for young mothers.
- for the group, the most important effect of the activity is the creation of bonds between the participants, who moved to everyday life after the meetings.
Frame for Equality
The group was made up of bisexual, non-binary, pansexual and transgender people whose common goal is to influence social awareness of gender identity and sexual orientation. The group wants transgender and non-heteronormative people to feel more confident in their skin.
Activities within MiniGrant:
- creating a short film about the experiences of trans people, entitled “The Message”;
- purchase of production equipment for films, payment of licenses and promotion of films.
K*AP Family – Women’s* Football Academy
The Women’s * Football Academy was founded thanks to football. Members organize open training sessions and football matches for women as well as non-binary, transgender and queer people.
Activities within MiniGrant:
- a series of 10 free, open football training sessions in a sports hall. The place was open to speakers of other languages, Deaf, beginners and experienced people of all ages;
- trip to Queer Futbol in Zamość and the Santa Claus Tournament in Lublin.
The Feminist Fund has been awarded the Henryk Wujec Civic Award by the Ludwika and Henryk Wujec Civic Fund, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Amnesty International Poland, the OFOP Federation, and the Our Ombudsman Initiative.
The award honors a broad community of activists, allies, and grassroots initiatives that have been working for years to advance equality and women’s rights. It is a symbolic affirmation that this work is not only necessary, but fundamental to the quality of Polish democracy. The Henryk Wujec Civic Award recognizes organizations and individuals who work on the front lines, directly supporting people who are marginalized, at risk, and persecuted.
Fot. Jarosław Barański / Fundusz Obywatelski im. Ludwiki i Henryka Wujców”
