Poland has a broad network of volunteer organisations that operate at both the national and regional level. These range from well-established foundations conducting large-scale fundraising to smaller locally-focused associations working in individual neighbourhoods. The legal and administrative framework supporting these organisations has been in place for more than two decades, providing a stable basis for the sector.
The Legal Framework
Volunteering in Poland is regulated primarily by the Act on Public Benefit Activity and Volunteering (Ustawa o działalności pożytku publicznego i o wolontariacie), first enacted in 2003 and amended several times since. The law defines the rights and obligations of volunteers, establishes the category of Public Benefit Organisation (Organizacja Pożytku Publicznego, OPP), and sets out the rules for cooperation between NGOs and public institutions.
Public Benefit Organisations registered under this law are permitted to receive 1.5% of the income tax that individual taxpayers choose to redirect to them. This mechanism has become an important source of funding for organisations across many sectors.
What is an OPP?
An Organizacja Pożytku Publicznego (Public Benefit Organisation) is a registered non-governmental organisation that meets specific transparency and reporting criteria. OPPs are listed in the National Court Register (KRS) and are eligible to receive the 1.5% tax allocation. The full list is maintained at niw.gov.pl.
National-Level Organisations
Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy (WOŚP)
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity is one of the most recognised charitable organisations in Poland. Founded in 1993, it organises an annual one-day fundraising finale, typically held in January, during which volunteers collect donations across the country. The funds raised are directed toward purchasing medical equipment for hospitals, focusing on specific medical areas that change each year.
The organisation operates through a network of thousands of volunteer collectors and engages participants across all age groups. Its annual finale has become a cultural event of national significance. More information is available at wosp.org.pl.
Caritas Polska
Caritas Polska is the humanitarian organisation of the Catholic Church in Poland. It operates a wide range of social care activities including food assistance, support for the homeless, care for the elderly and disabled, and humanitarian aid in crisis situations. The organisation works through a diocesan network spread across the country and involves both paid staff and volunteers. Information is available at caritas.pl.
Polski Czerwony Krzyż (PCK)
The Polish Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It carries out activities in disaster response, blood donation, first aid training, social care and humanitarian assistance. The PCK has a regional structure with branches in all Polish voivodeships.
Fundacja Bankier Żywności / Food Banks
The Polish Federation of Food Banks (Polska Federacja Banków Żywności) coordinates a network of food banks in Poland. These organisations collect food that would otherwise be wasted and redistribute it to people in need through partner organisations. Volunteers play a central role in collection, sorting and distribution activities. The federation's work is described at federacja-bankow.org.pl.
Regional and Urban Organisations
Beyond national-level foundations, a large number of smaller organisations are active at the regional and urban level. These include organisations focused on specific communities (children, elderly people, migrants, people experiencing homelessness), as well as topic-specific groups working in areas such as environmental protection, animal welfare and historical preservation.
In larger cities, volunteer centres (Centrum Wolontariatu) provide coordination, training and matching services. Warsaw, Krakow, Gdańsk, Wrocław and Poznań each have established centres that connect volunteers with organisations. The central portal wolontariat.org.pl lists opportunities at the national and local level.
Sector Data
According to data compiled by ngo.pl, tens of thousands of associations and foundations are registered in Poland. A significant proportion are active in social welfare, education and cultural activities. The sector has grown substantially since the early 2000s, supported by EU structural funds and the 1.5% tax mechanism.
Comprehensive data on the sector, including annual reports, is available through the National Institute of Freedom — Centre for Civil Society Development (NIW-CRSO) at niw.gov.pl.