We've had some intense and incredibly valuable days in the Tricity area. As part of our study tour, we visited Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot, meeting with representatives of cultural institutions, NGOs, and volunteer centers. Each of these stops provided an opportunity not only to gain new knowledge but also to build relationships and rethink our own activities.
Sopot – Goyki 3 Art Incubator and Literary Sopot
At the historic Jüncke Villa in Sopot, we met with Marta Czarnecka, director of the Sopot Literary Festival. We learned about the activities of the Goyki 3 Art Inkubator, an institution that supports creators, organizes artistic residencies, and creates spaces for culture. We discussed programmatic work, how to build international partnerships, and how to effectively combine history with a modern approach to cultural animation.
Gdańsk – European Solidarity Centre, IKM and Regional Volunteer Centre
A meeting at the European Solidarity Center (ECS) with Julia Borzeszkowska and Olga Gulińska showed us how to wisely combine historical memory with education and civic action. At the Cultural Center (IKM), we discussed urban culture, resident engagement, education, and building relationships with the local community with Bartek Lis. And at the Regional Volunteer Center, we discussed with Dawid Jastrzębski how to build sustainable volunteer support systems, how to motivate and professionalize work with a volunteer team, and the importance of quality relationships in volunteering. This meeting was full of concrete solutions, inspiration, and the exchange of best practices – a huge dose of knowledge and motivation!
Gdynia – Youth Cooperation Center
Meeting with President Tomasz Brodewicz is a true lesson in what a modern youth organization looks like. For years, CWM has been operating locally and internationally, supporting volunteering, non-formal education, and youth development. It's a place that truly makes a difference and demonstrates how to create youth projects with panache, heart, and effectiveness.
What did this visit give us?
Above all - new relationships and inspiring conversations. We met people who are deeply committed to creating culture, supporting volunteers and young people, building bridges between sectors, and acting with passion. We learned about concrete solutions we can implement in our daily work – from better volunteering organization, through new methods of cultural animation, to ideas for intergenerational and integration activities.
This visit broadened our competences, increased knowledge resources, has given impetus to new activities and projects. We feel more aware, better prepared, and—most importantly—inspired to continue our work.
We would like to thank everyone who welcomed us and shared their experience and openness. It was a time of learning, exchange, reflection, and community. We return with heads full of ideas and hearts full of gratitude.
The study visit was financed by the National Institute of Freedom, National Centre for Civil Society Development, as part of the Solidarity Corps – the Government Programme for the Support and Development of Long-Term Volunteering for 2018-2030.
