An Overview of the Compacts in Poland

Zbigniew Wejcman

BORIS

Local Government in Poland

Since 1990 there is 2500 independent gminas (communities), with their own budget, legal statue and tasks

Since 1999 there is 380 independent powiats (counties) and 16 independent voivodships (regions) with their own budget, legal statue and tasks

In each of 16 regions there is a central government office

There is 50 000 NGOs and other civic initiatives

Local Government and NGOs co-operation history

SPLOT Network centers runs processes of dialogue between LG and NGOs in 1994

First written agreements between both partners - Gdynia and Warsaw (1995)

Open competitions for NGOs announced by LG for public services delivering

Development of this methodology in hundreds of LG on voluntary base (1995-2003)

Public Benefit Activity and Volunteerism Law (PBA 2003)

Division of labor between state and non-profit organizations in the provision of public tasks through open competitions

Introduction paid statue services (beside non-paid and economical activity)

Introduction of Public Benefit Organization

1% Law and other tax and financial benefits

Volunteerism as legal issue

Principles of co-operationintroduced by PBA Law

Subsidiarity TransparencyEffectivenessCompetitionPartnership

Co-operation Programs in PBA Law

Since 2004 each local government body in Poland has an obligation to establish Program of Co-operation with NGOs on yearly base

Methodology of Co-operation Programs are based on SPLOT experience since 1995 and developed by Ministry of Social Policy

Limits of Co-operation Programs

They are focused on delivering public services in co-operation with non-profit organisationsThey describing mostly technical issues, not principles of such co-operation They are limited to two sectors, excluded privet entrepreneurs and other stakeholdersOnly 25% of all LG introduce this obligatory Co-operation Programs in 2004

Polish model of COMPACT

Voluntary agreement between 3 sector - public administration, non-governmental organizations and business representatives

Aim: co-operation for development of region and it local communities with special respect of NGOs role in this process

Focusing on principles and mutual rights and obligations in the process of co-operation

Case: PACT in Warminsko-Mazurskie Region

SPLOT Network produced own methodology of Compact establishing, described in handbook by Zbigniew Wejcman („Regional Pacts as a tool of Civic Dialogue”, Warsaw 2004)

ESWIP Resource Centre established working group consist of representatives of all 3 sectors

Draft of the Regional PACT was distributed and consult by different groups of interest in the Warminsko-Mazurskie Region

Case: PACT in Warminsko-Mazurskie Region

In September 2004 PACT was signed by: Head of Regional Government

Head of Voivodship Office

President of NGO Council

President of Counties Council

President of Communities Council

Marshal of Chambers of Commerce Council

Head of Business Centre Club

Head of Privet Entrepreneurs Union 

Case: PACT in Mazowsze Region

BORIS Resource Center and MAZOWIA Federation initiative

Working group of representatives of key NGOs (Caritas, Red Cross), local authorities (Warsaw City Government, Radom City Government) and regional public administration (Mazowsze Voivodship Office, Mazowsze Regional Government)

Five meetings and seminars since 2003

Case: PACT in Mazowsze Region

PACT: “Together for Mazowsze” presented on regional conference in October 2004

PACT signed by 210 representatives of NGOs, local and regional authorities, chambers of commerce

PACT is distributed to local communities in Mazowsze Region as Code of Practice

For more information

SPLOT Network (13 Resource Centers for NGOs since 1994) - splot.ngo.pl

BORIS Association - boris.org.pl

ESWIP Association - eswip.elblag.pl