Polish 4-H Foundation who are we?

4H Foundation - History

The idea of 4-H is not a novelty in Poland. 4-H type clubs existed already in the 1920's. Yet they were soon turned into Young Farmers' Professional Preparation Courses which stressed vocational training and did not formally provide space for volunteers. In late '70s the Courses were managed by paid staff, grouped mainly older boys and were not accessible to children and younger teens. More recently the idea was introduced by the advisors working for the Polish/American Extension Project (1991-1995). The first 4-H club was started in Leszno Province in 1991. Today 4-H programs are conducted all over Poland, predominantly in rural areas. We have about 400 clubs grouping about 7.000 members and nearly 400 volunteer adult leaders working with them. The size of membership varies from province to province.

What are we doing?

4-H reaches youth through 4-H clubs and activities such as workshops, camps and contests. By using non-formal educational programs, professional and volunteer staff assists youth, from different communities and with variety of interests, to develop both life and subject skills. It seems to answer the rural kids' needs in action oriented, exploratory activities, in having fun while working together in a safe learning environment. The functioning of 4-H clubs is based on the work of volunteers, many of whom are parents. Volunteers also benefit greatly from their connection with 4-H. Apart from fun and satisfaction through working with youth they can participate in the system of highly specialised training offered by the Foundation.

The most popular events organised at the provincial level are ecological workshops, summer camps, 4-H conferences, presentations and exhibits at agricultural fairs and open houses, demonstration contests and international exchanges. 4-H'ers actively participate in many environment-related events, such as "Clean the World" and other community actions. The regular projects include animal raising, horticulture, environmental protection and various handicraft, such as weaving, embroidery, floral composition and folk crafts. Other popular projects are increasing computer skills, editing school newspapers, learning English and food and cooking.

Polish 4H Foundation

The Polish 4-H Foundation (Fundacja Edukacyjna 4H w Polsce) was incorporated in August 1993. It was created to rise funds for 4-H programs and to provide national leadership and co-ordination to 4-H programs. It is a non-profit organisation living only from grants and donation. According to its mission statement, the Polish 4-H Foundation develops and conducts educational programs that helps Polish youth become productive, self-reliant, independent thinking citizens, able to give leadership to democratic life in Poland.

Our projects

The Foundation prepares educational programs, conducts seminars, publishes project books and other training and promotional materials and co-ordinates international. The Foundation is concentrating its efforts on educational programs in five subject areas, i.e. Leadership, Small Enterprise, Environmental Stewardship, European Community and Pedagogy of Games and Recreation. The Foundation is also promoting 4-H ideas through organising meetings, conferences, radio broadcasts, press releases and international exchange-programs. Our projects support and complete agriculture politics, countenance country people and farmers to cooperation with other EU-countries. That's why they concentrate on such subjects as: searching for other sources of profits beyond agriculture, small enterprise, promotion of rural tourism and agro tourism.