The Condition of Non-Governmental Organisations Working with Refugees in Poland, Research Report (2024)

This report presents findings from the 10th edition of the nationwide survey “The Condition of Non-Governmental Organisations in Poland 2024,” with a focused analysis on NGOs supporting refugees. Conducted by the Klon/Jawor Association in collaboration with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, the study draws on data from 1,012 randomly selected associations and foundations, collected via online questionnaires between September and November 2024. The report supplements the earlier publication “When working in crisis becomes everyday life” by offering representative insights into the scale, characteristics, and challenges of refugee-focused NGOs.

Key findings reveal that 10% of Polish NGOs are engaged in refugee support, predominantly assisting individuals from Ukraine. These organisations are more likely to be urban based, operate nationally or internationally, and specialize in culture, education, and social assistance. Despite their broader scope and slightly larger human capital, most NGOs treat refugee support as a secondary activity. Financial instability, leadership burnout, and limited inclusion of refugees within organisational structures are significant challenges. The average annual budget in 2023 was 113,000 PLN, with individual donations and local government funding as primary income sources. Looking ahead, NGOs anticipate growing difficulties due to negative public sentiment, legal gaps, and funding constraints.

This report underscores the critical role of civil society in refugee support and highlights the need for systemic solutions to sustain and strengthen NGO efforts in Poland.