Barka Foundation for Mutual Help: 2014 BNP Paribas Special Prize winner for Individual Philanthropy
Barka Foundation for Mutual Help: 2014 BNP Paribas Special Prize winner for Individual Philanthropy
Tomasz and Barbara Sadowscy, the founders of Barka Foundation for Mutual Help in Poland, were awarded the 7th BNP PARIBAS WEALTH MANAGEMENT PRIZE FOR INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPY HONOURS. ‘The Jury’s Special Prize was awarded for their social integration work and promotion of Barka social franchise model in Poland and abroad. The Barka Foundation for Mutual Help empowers and reintegrates socially marginalised groups through education, training, entrepreneurship and housing programmes.
The Barka Foundation is a non-governmental organization, its purpose is social development of marginalized groups, giving them a chance rebuild their lives by creating a program of mutual assistance, education, entrepreneurship development in civil society and in particular in the new accession countries and the countries which have been regaining independance. In 1989, Tomasz and Barbara Sadowscy, two psychologists set up the first Barka community, using the derelict school building in Wladyslawowo (in the West of Poznan). This first community gave a home for 25 “life wrecked”” individuals, who were living together with the Sadowski’s family. Wladyslawowo became the spring-board for the continuing mutual-help movement, engaging not only the people in need but also informal groups and non-governmental organizations in Poland and abroad.
Barka UK was established in 2007. It’s Reconnection model provides voluntary and assisted return for Central and Eastern European (CEE) migrants to their country of origin. The Reconnection Project as a social franchise has been successfully duplicated and adapted to tackle homelessness among CEE migrant groups in Holland, Ireland, Germany and Belgium. The model of a leader-assistant team is gaining prominence in Poland as well.
Tomasz i Barbara Sadowscy
