The Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations (KAFOS) warmly invites you to nominate candidates for a special award – The Anna Szelest Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations Awards!
Applications must be submitted by 22 October 2026
Our aim is to recognise and promote social engagement, innovation and the development of a strong civil society in the Silesian Voivodeship. Let’s come together to recognise the organisations and initiatives that are making a positive difference to our local communities every day!
Who is eligible for the prize?
The prize is awarded in two main competition categories:
- The Power of Community – For lifetime achievement: Intended for non-governmental organisations with a long-standing, proven track record of working on behalf of the residents of the Silesian Voivodeship.
- A new impetus: For non-governmental organisations registered and operating in the Silesian Voivodeship over the last 5 years.
- The KAFOS Management Board also awards a Special Prize for outstanding contributions to the development of civil society.
Who can register an organisation, and how?
Applications may be submitted by non-governmental organisations, local authorities, universities, informal groups, and individuals (Organisations may also nominate themselves).
- Deadline for applications: to 22 October 2026. (until 23:59).
- Application form: By electronic means only.
👉 Please complete the online application form
Gala Ceremony and Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations
The announcement of the results and the presentation of trophies and certificates will take place during The Gala Ceremony on 28 October 2026.
The gala will take place as part of Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations for an hour 15:30.
We warmly invite you to take part in the event!
👉 Register for the Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations
Entry to the competition is completely free of charge. We invite you to join us in celebrating the potential of Silesia’s third sector!
The Silesian Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations is co-funded by the European Union
#FundsEU
About the award’s patron – Anna Szelest
Ania was, above all, an architect. And that in the most vivid, profound sense of the word. At first, she designed concrete forms – houses and housing estates. Over time, however, she swapped her drawing boards for work in the field and, through numerous projects, began to design something far more challenging: Silesia’s civic space.
She was able to do this because she had absolute faith in herself and big dreams. Her path into the world of non-governmental organisations was not an obvious one – it began at the Silesian Fantasy Club. It was there, whilst devouring books on futurology and the authors of the Polish „golden age” of sociological fantasy – led by Janusz Zajdel – that she came to believe that society could be different, that people could create a community based on values and wisdom.
She moved from ŚKF to the Gniazdo Foundation. What is remarkable – and very typical of her – is that before she became fully involved in supporting the NGO, she simply worked in the kitchen there. She wasn’t afraid of any job or any level of work.
She had been involved with the MOST Association almost from the very beginning. She made it her personal mission to build and strengthen non-governmental organisations. She always spoke of values, uncompromisingly reminding us that everything we do simply has to be done better. She constantly raised the bar. In this endeavour, she was entirely selfless – she paid no attention to her own appearance and ignored her state of health. She was always, at any moment, ready to work and discuss matters: whether in the middle of the night or later – from her hospital bed.
She may have had physical limitations, but she turned them into a lesson for others. Her walker was one of the first to put the principles of architectural and social accessibility to the test – not only at MOST itself, but in dozens of institutions across Silesia.
She helped set up hundreds of associations and foundations throughout the Silesian Voivodeship. Throughout all those years, she never, not even for a moment, felt that the work was done. She believed that there was always someone who needed a helping hand to get back on their feet, and something that needed fixing.
She passed away at the Cordis Hospice – a facility run by a non-governmental organisation, in the community to which she had devoted her entire life.
An architect who not only designed walls, but above all built people and fostered the belief that, together, we can change the world.