Rebuilding Trust in Polish NGOs: An Interview with Michał Braun

Restructuring State Grants for Non-Governmental Organizations

The organization served as the vehicle for distributing state subsidies to civil society groups, following the older Civic Initiatives Fund dating back to the early 2000s.

Criticism dogged the institute throughout the PiS era due to the composition of its decision-making panels, which featured representatives from government-aligned non-governmental organizations. While numerous legitimate projects received funding, substantial amounts of public money flowed without adequate oversight toward suspicious foundations and NGOs.

Following the 2023 electoral victory of the Civic Coalition (PO) led by Donald Tusk, the new administration reformed the organization. Michał Braun assumed leadership of the institute with a clear mandate to rebuild institutional trust.

„I believe that we need both left-wing think tanks and conservatives, but it is walking on thin ice if these organizations begin campaigning with money given to civil society,” Michał Braun stated in an interview with Telex.

Rebuilding Trust and Redefining Civil Roles

Braun traveled to Budapest to participate in a panel discussion concerning the future relationship between non-governmental organizations and the government, sharing insights into how Poland worked to restore credibility within the independent sector. During the PiS administration, certain capacity-building initiatives were launched, enabling groups to secure grants for expenses such as establishing physical offices. However, Braun noted that while it is not true that most grants went to right-wing organizations, those who received the largest sums were almost all political.

„NGOs themselves must learn how to present what they are working on, what they are doing for people,” Braun explained regarding the restoration of public confidence. The core challenge involves delineating responsibilities between central government duties and community-led initiatives. Municipalities and national authorities are currently evaluating which social services—such as sports, culture, youth work, and eldercare—can be effectively delegated to civil society organizations.

Local authorities in several Polish cities have transferred the management of municipal youth centers and nursing homes to non-governmental organizations alongside the corresponding budgetary allocations. These partnerships have strengthened the operational capacity of the independent sector.

Civil defense has emerged as a hot topic following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Civil organizations provided immediate assistance during the opening days of the war, cementing their reputation as indispensable pillars of daily life.

Oversight Mechanisms and Supervisory Boards

Debates surrounding the future of the coordinating bodies following the political transition considered whether to dissolve or restructure the existing apparatus. Authorities ultimately chose to preserve the institution itself, treating it as a structural framework while altering the underlying assistance programs. The institute currently oversees ten distinct civic programs, the largest of which is the Civic Initiatives Fund established a decade ago under Donald Tusk’s initial administration.

While the Minister of the Chancellery acts as the legal guarantor, a supervisory board reviews all operational decisions, annual plans, and funding calls before release.

Civil society delegates hold a majority on this supervisory board, occupying seven of the eleven available seats. The remaining four positions are appointed by the Minister of Finance, the head of state, and the Chancellor Minister, who delegates two people.