The Green Leader is a program of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, implemented by the Sendzimir Foundation. It aims to support local leaders who are taking action to protect the environment, promote sustainable development, and adapt their municipalities to the impacts of climate change. Its mission is to empower individuals and teams active in their communities to effectively respond to contemporary environmental challenges and create viable strategies for the future.
The climate crisis and biodiversity loss have reached a scale that is becoming a threat to social and economic life. Their significance will only grow in the coming years. Responsibility for responding to these phenomena does not rest solely with international institutions – initiatives by municipalities, cities, and social organizations, as well as grassroots initiatives, are equally important. The Green Leader program was created to support these local initiatives – combining expert knowledge with practice and providing participants with tools to diagnose problems and implement solutions that meet the needs of residents.
Through training, consulting, and experience-sharing, program participants learn how to prepare environmentally beneficial projects, effectively raise funds for their implementation, and build cooperation within their communities. This provides an opportunity for local initiatives to not only address climate challenges but also strengthen social and economic development, contributing to the creation of safer, healthier, and more resilient places to live.
What topics do Green Leaders address?
After completing the first stage of the course (e-learning), program participants choose a thematic track.
Currently, they have two to choose from:
- energy efficiency and air quality,
- combating droughts and floods at the local level.
From 2021 to 2023, we also ran a track dedicated to the circular economy.
With the support of experts and other participants, teams of participants develop an action plan in their chosen thematic area.
Who can participate in the Program?
The program is open to three-person teams from municipalities with populations under 150,000. Each team consists of a leader and two other people who work together to develop and then implement a climate protection action plan. These may include representatives of local governments, social organizations, councilors, or activists.
Meet green leaders from all over Poland
How does the Green Leader program work?
The program lasts 9 months. It consists of two stages: an e-learning course and an on-site component, for which we accept selected individuals who complete the e-learning program.
The e-learning course (1 month) provides the opportunity to explore the topics covered in the Program and meet the experts leading the thematic tracks. Those interested in continuing the program prepare a short final paper.
The on-site component (8 months) consists of four sessions with two-day workshops, specialized consulting, and study visits. During this stage, each team develops their own action plan.
After completing the programme, we offer graduates further support in the form of counselling, study visits and contacts with other Programme participants.
Find out more about the Program
Program Impact
The Shipyard Foundation conducted a study for us to assess the program’s impact on local communities. The quantitative study covered all graduating teams from the first three years of the program: 2021-2023.
Thanks to the program, by the time the study was completed, i.e., by the end of June 2025, over 200 activities of various types had been completed. Most of these activities concerned improved water management, primarily through infrastructure changes in municipalities. As we know, these projects take time – planning, securing funding, and conducting the design and implementation phases.
Circular Economy
Leadership teams from the “Circular Economy” track completed 56 different activities aimed at improving waste management. Among them:
- over 80 composters were distributed;
- thanks to changes in six municipal waste selective collection points (PSZOK), over 700 tons more waste was selectively collected in 2024 than in the year before the changes were introduced;
- improved waste management at nine mass events resulted in the collection of over 110 tons of sorted waste.
Drought and Flood Prevention
Teams from the “Drought and Flood Prevention” track completed 176 different activities aimed at improving water management and implementing blue-green infrastructure. Thanks to this, among other things:
- nearly 10,000 m² of new green spaces were created;
- over 4,000 new trees were planted;
- over 25,000 m² of retention reservoirs were created;
- over 22,000 m² of flower meadows were created.
Energy Efficiency and Air Quality
Teams from the “Energy Efficiency and Air Quality” track completed 66 different activities aimed at improving air quality and energy transition. The program contributed to, among other things:
- the thermal modernization of at least 79 buildings;
- the removal of at least 261 solid fuel boilers and furnaces.
The teams carried out extensive educational and informational work. Among other activities, training sessions, workshops, and meetings with residents were conducted, with nearly 25,000 people participating.
Eleven teams consulted on various activities with residents. A total of 1,055 people participated in the public consultations.
The program helped half of the teams apply for external funding. The teams submitted applications for funding totaling PLN 327 million, of which PLN 131 million was awarded.
To get more information about the program visit its website: zielonylider.org.
Green Funds Advisory Network
The Green Funds Advisory Network is part of the Green Leader program, developed by the Polish Green Network. Currently, the network employs over 30 advisors from across Poland, with more currently being trained.
The advisors’ role is to help local organizations obtain funding for environmental protection and climate change adaptation initiatives.
More information: https://zielonefundusze.pl/siecdoradcow/.
Project’s team
Tomasz Bergier – blue and green infrastructure program expert
Agata Bluj – project coordinator
Agnieszka Czachowska – trainer, architect, and certified facilitator of the VISIS method
Ilona Gosk – strategic tools expert
Magdalena Niezabitowska-Krogulec – organizational and communication support
Iwona Wagner – blue and green infrastructure program expert
Maria Wiśnicka – air quality and energy efficiency expert
The Green Leader project is financed by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.
