Synergy is power

Synergy is power

Building a civil society – this idea guides the Project Arché Foundation in its mission. This motto has materialised in the “Synergy” project which covered 26 poverty-stricken families threatened with social exclusion. Innovative activities of the project motivate people and help to build their confidence to make them believe that together they are capable of changing themselves and their surroundings.

‘Our work with the community has been divided into two stages,’ says Kamil Purłan, the President of the Foundation. ‘Initially, we focus on individual family members providing them with access to experts on assertiveness, home budget management or psychologist. This helps us to motivate the entire family to change their style of living. In the second stage, we integrate the family with their local community,’ he adds.

The Foundation has helped to establish a voluntary initiative group. Its task is to develop ways of enhancing community life. ‘They come up with various proposals, such as building a shed to create a meeting venue, playground or an open-air gym,’ says Kamil Purłan. ‘We provide funding and our instructors offer specialist advice, the rest is up to people themselves. A common goal integrates people and suddenly the whole village is busy implementing it.’

‘Synergy’ in figures:
Psychology workshops: 240 hours
Social economy workshops: 240 hours
Home budget management workshops: 240 hours
Family voluntary service workshops: 240 hours
Family ties strengthening workshops: 240 hours

Project Arché is the only foundation in Poland that charters a houseboat.

Although the project budget has, to a large extent, been provided by the EU, a part of it comes from houseboat rental on the Great Mazurian Lakes Trail. The Foundation runs a social company that charters a houseboat designed not only for experienced helmsmen. The boat is safe, and simple to operate and manoeuvre. ‘Income from the charter is designated for operation of the rental company and its remaining part supports projects, such as ‘Synergy’. Additionally, we also support multiple sclerosis patients and help unemployed people,’ explains the President of Arché.

Project: Synergia
Project cost: approx. PLN 1 million, including approx. PLN 850 thousand from the European Regional Development Fund, Warmińsko-Mazurskie Regional Programme