The Roman Czernecki EFC Foundation

The Roman Czernecki EFC Foundation (Polish: Edukacyjna Fundacja im. Romana Czerneckiego, abbreviated Edukacyjna Fundacja Czerneckiego) is an independent, non-profit non-governmental organization based in Poland. It was founded in 2009 by the Polish entrepreneur and philanthropist Andrzej Czernecki, who named it after his father, Roman Czernecki — a social innovator and educator who taught at the Krzemieniec Lyceum, organized wartime secret classes, founded a peasant school in Szczekociny, served as rector of the Higher Pedagogical School in Gdańsk and lectured on the history of philosophy at the Warsaw University of Technology. The foundation's stated mission is to build a strong democratic community by financially and organizationally supporting the development of the social sector in Central and Eastern Europe and by promoting humanistic, cultural and civic education. At the outset, the foundation focused on equalizing educational opportunities in Poland and promoting innovative teaching solutions. Its flagship project from the beginning has been the "Horyzonty" program (originally "Marzenie o Nauce"), which grants scholarships to talented pupils from small towns across Poland so that they can complete the country's best secondary schools. The scholarship covers educational expenses, supports the development of out-of-school interests and builds social competences. By the end of 2024 the program had supported 1,045 pupils, and since 2016 it has been co-financed by the Starak Family Foundation. An independent Alumni Association of EFC and FRS also operates with the foundation's substantive and financial support. Beyond scholarships, the foundation runs grant programs, awards and partnerships. From 2017 to 2023, together with the Szkoła z Klasą Foundation, it ran the "Edukacja Inspiracja" grant program supporting teachers in small towns. From 2018 to 2023 it awarded the Prof. Roman Czernecki Award for outstanding academic and popular-science publications on education, and since 2018, jointly with the Polish Business Council, it has awarded the Andrzej Czernecki Award for outstanding social and philanthropic activity by people and organizations from the business community. In 2022 it launched the Philanthropy for Impact program with the international organization Ashoka to encourage philanthropic activity by companies and individuals in Central and Eastern Europe. Since 2021 it has partnered with the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw on the "Formy podstawowe" (Basic Forms) program, bringing contemporary art and tools prepared by artists from around the world to pupils across Poland; for this work it received the Annual Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in the Patron of Culture category in 2024. The foundation is financed from its own resources, derived from an endowment fund created by founder Andrzej Czernecki, who donated most of his private fortune to it, and it is also supported by other private foundations. It has never been a beneficiary of public funds. In 2024 Igor Czernecki, a historian of ideas and son of Andrzej Czernecki, became president of the foundation. Under his leadership the foundation broadened its scope, financing the development of projects and social organizations working to strengthen democracy and promote humanistic, cultural and civic education. Its philosophy draws on liberal and republican values — freedom, equality, partnership, responsibility for the common good, independent critical thinking, discussion and cooperation — and is inspired by thinkers such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Hannah Arendt.

The Roman Czernecki EFC Foundation was established in 2009 by the Polish entrepreneur and philanthropist Andrzej Czernecki. Its creation was inspired by the life and work of his father, Roman Czernecki, a social innovator and educator who became the foundation's patron. Roman Czernecki taught at the Krzemieniec Lyceum, organized wartime secret classes, founded a peasant school in Szczekociny, served as rector of the Higher Pedagogical School in Gdańsk and lectured on the history of philosophy at the Warsaw University of Technology. The values he embodied — education, civic responsibility and independent thinking — shaped the foundation's mission. In its early years the foundation focused on equalizing educational opportunities in Poland and promoting innovative solutions in teaching. Its flagship project from the outset has been the "Horyzonty" program (originally called "Marzenie o Nauce"), which awards scholarships to talented pupils from small towns across Poland so they can complete the country's best secondary schools. The scholarship provides financial support covering educational expenses, fosters out-of-school interests and develops social competences. By the end of 2024 the program had supported 1,045 pupils. Since 2016 it has been co-financed by the Starak Family Foundation, and an independent Alumni Association of EFC and FRS operates with the foundation's substantive and financial support. From 2017 to 2023, in cooperation with the Szkoła z Klasą Foundation, the foundation ran the "Edukacja Inspiracja" grant program supporting teachers in small towns in carrying out innovative educational projects with pupils. From 2018 to 2023 it awarded the Prof. Roman Czernecki Award for outstanding academic and popular-science publications in education that promoted reflection on the contemporary education system. Since 2018, jointly with the Polish Business Council, it has awarded the Andrzej Czernecki Award for outstanding social and philanthropic activity by individuals and organizations from the business community. In 2022 the foundation launched the Philanthropy for Impact program in cooperation with the international organization Ashoka, aimed at supporting innovative philanthropic activities and encouraging philanthropic engagement by companies and individuals in Central and Eastern Europe. Since 2021 it has partnered with the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw on the "Formy podstawowe" (Basic Forms) program, which provides pupils across Poland with works of art and tools prepared by artists from around the world, allowing them to experience and create contemporary art and to form habits of attentive observation and creative shaping of the world. For this activity, in 2024 the foundation received the Annual Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in the Patron of Culture category. In 2024 Igor Czernecki, a historian of ideas and son of Andrzej Czernecki, became president of the foundation. Under his leadership the foundation broadened its scope of activity, financing the development of projects and social organizations engaged in strengthening democracy and promoting humanistic, cultural and civic education. The foundation's philosophy draws on liberal and republican values — freedom, equality, partnership, responsibility for the common good, independent critical thinking, discussion and cooperation — and is inspired by thinkers such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Hannah Arendt. It finances its ongoing operations from its own resources, derived from an endowment fund created by founder Andrzej Czernecki, who donated most of his private fortune to it, and is also supported by other private foundations. It has never been a beneficiary of public funds.

• 2024

  Igor Czernecki becomes president; foundation receives the Annual Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in the Patron of Culture category.

• 2022

  Launch of the Philanthropy for Impact program with Ashoka.

• 2021

  Start of cooperation with the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw on the 'Formy podstawowe' program.

• 2018

  First awarding of the Prof. Roman Czernecki Award (to 2023) and, with the Polish Business Council, the Andrzej Czernecki Award.

• 2017

  Launch of the 'Edukacja Inspiracja' grant program with the Szkoła z Klasą Foundation (runs to 2023).

• 2016

  The Horyzonty scholarship program begins to be co-financed by the Starak Family Foundation.

• 2009

  Foundation established by Andrzej Czernecki, named after his father Roman Czernecki.

An independent, privately endowed non-profit foundation promoting humanistic, cultural and civic education and strengthening democratic civil society in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe.

• Horyzonty scholarship program

  Flagship scholarship program (originally 'Marzenie o Nauce') supporting talented pupils from small towns across Poland to complete the best secondary schools; had supported 1,045 pupils by end of 2024.

• Edukacja Inspiracja grant program

  Grant program run 2017–2023 with the Szkoła z Klasą Foundation supporting teachers in small towns.

• Prof. Roman Czernecki Award

  Award given 2018–2023 for outstanding academic and popular-science publications in education.

• Andrzej Czernecki Award

  Award given since 2018 with the Polish Business Council for outstanding social and philanthropic activity in the business community.

• Philanthropy for Impact

  Program launched in 2022 with Ashoka to support innovative philanthropy in Central and Eastern Europe.

• Formy podstawowe (Basic Forms)

  Art education program with the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, running since 2021.

1. 1Edukacyjna Fundacja Czerneckiego – official websiteefc.edu.pl
2. 2The Roman Czernecki EFC Foundation – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Edukacyjna Fundacja im. Romana Czerneckiego – Wikipedia (Polish)pl.wikipedia.org