Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations – come along to our events

The Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations takes place on 28 October in Katowice

The Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations is back! 🤝 On 28 October, we’ll be meeting at the Silesian Museum in Katowice during the Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations.

This event is for people who set up NGOs, run community projects, work with local authorities, raise funds, recruit volunteers and go the extra mile for their communities every day.

This year, as part of a project led by the MOST Association, KAFOS, in collaboration with the Silesian Voivodeship, is organising the event under the slogan:

„Bridges of Cooperation for Our Shared Development”

👉 Sign up and join those who want to develop Silesian NGOs together, rather than in isolation.

🔗 REGISTRATION:https://dlarozwojuwspolnego.slaskie.pl/survey/index/index/id.19

The programme includes panel discussions, presentations, examples of best practice and workshops, during which we will discuss, amongst other things:

🔸 How can we support civil society more effectively?

🔸 Where can NGOs find funding for their activities?

🔸 How can we build partnerships with local authorities and other organisations?

🔸 How can we respond to the real needs of communities and groups particularly at risk of exclusion?

But the Forum is not just about the programme.

Above all, these are people – representatives of organisations from across the province, experts, practitioners and individuals with whom you can start working, share experiences or find a solution to a problem your organisation is currently facing.

This year, the event will also feature a special finale, during which, at the Provincial Civil Society Cooperation Forum Gala, we will recognise organisations, leaders and local authorities that actively support the development of civil society in Silesia.

📅 28 October 2026, 9.00 am

📍 Silesian Museum, 1 T. Dobrowolskiego Street, Katowice

Participation is free of charge. Places are limited.

An event organised as part of projects co-financed by the European Union under the ‘European Funds for Silesia’ programme

See you in Katowice!

#EU Funds #European Funds #Silesian NGO Forum #KAFOS #NGO #Silesia #Nongovernmental Organisations #Cooperation #CivilSociety #LocalGovernment #SocialLeaders

Event_28 October 2026 (PDF, 2.1 MB)Download

Programme of Events:

SESSION I: Opening and Inspiration

  • 09:45 – 10:15: Opening of the event
  • 10.15 – 11.00: The future of non-governmental organisations: Community, Cooperation and Support as pillars of community development – a panel discussion from a national perspective
  • 11:00 – 11:15: Best practices for the development of wspólNeGO – 3 stories, 1 common goal
  • 11.15 – 12.00: Joint development in regional practice: experiences, challenges and barriers to local support for NGOs – regional panel discussion
  • 12:00 – 12:50: Special guest

SESSION II: Theory and Practice

13:05–13:55 SESSION I: Theory and practice

  1. A closer look at the call for applications for development grants for NGOs: avoid mistakes and influence the next call for applications
  2. ESF+ funding for social resilience: new priorities and opportunities for NGOs
  3. Cooperation for rural development – opportunities and challenges for NGOs
  4. Social economy or organisational economy – developing recommendations for a new perspective
  5. A community free from exclusion – the greatest needs of groups vulnerable to discrimination
  6.  Volunteer, activist or community worker – what role do organisations currently play in joint efforts to benefit the community?

13:05–13:55 SESSION II: Theory and practice

  1. First application: Silesia. For our shared development: from the initial idea, through a well-completed application, to receiving a grant
  2. An overview of upcoming competitions – where to find funding for development.
  3. The Volunteer Fire Brigade (OSP) and the Rural Women’s Association (KGW) – the roots of community work
  4. Are we really helping? The role of healthcare organisations in patients’ lives – needs, collaboration and reality
  5. Not just a requirement, but a standard: how values are meant to ensure equality and accessibility
  6. First Line of Support: Crisis Volunteering

SESSION III: Gala and Provincial Forum on Civil Society Cooperation

  • 15:30 – 16:00: The strategic future of the non-governmental sector in the Silesian Voivodeship
  • 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm: Presentation of awards to industry leaders
  • 17:00 – 17:30: Summary