A new set of figures has revealed that Fundacja Ocalenie—an organization known for supporting migrants at the Polish-Belarusian border—has received substantial funding from numerous sources, including the City of Warsaw under Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. Polish MP Dariusz Matecki recently published details showing how millions of złotys have flowed into the foundation’s coffers.
Large-Scale Funding
Matecki’s investigation highlighted significant financial support from the Batory Foundation (Fundacja Batorego) and international organizations. The disbursements date back to at least 2016, with funding earmarked for projects such as assisting refugee children in Łomża, combating discrimination against foreigners in Poland, and providing warm clothing for migrants at the Polish-Belarusian border.
Among the listed grants:
- 2016:
- Supporting the Activation of Refugee Children and Youth in Łomża – 34,391.06 PLN
- Study visit to Stavanger, Norway – Organized with Fundacja Ocalenie to learn about the Norwegian refugee reception system
- 2018:
- Counteracting Discrimination Against Foreigners in Poland – 150,000 PLN
- 2020:
- Counteracting Discrimination Against Foreigners in Poland – “Witaj w domu” (Welcome Home) – 30,000 PLN
- 2021:
- Poland, Our Common Home – 30,000 EUR
- Warm Clothing for Migrant Aid Workers at the Polish-Belarusian Border – 30,000 PLN
- 2022:
- Poland, Our Common Home – 37,500 EUR
- Institutional Grants – 50,000 EUR
- 2023:
- Poland, Our Common Home – 7,217.82 EUR
- Institutional Grants – 40,000 EUR
- Under the “Active Citizens – National Fund” Program:
- Poland, Our Common Home – Project cost: 74,717.82 EUR
- Institutional Grant – 100,000 EUR
- With Care for Equality. Burnout Prevention and the Strength of Equality Organizations – 130,017.21 EUR
- Under the “Citizens for Democracy” Program:
- Program to Counter Discrimination Against Foreigners – 384,920.91 PLN
- Supporting the Activation of Refugee Children and Youth in Łomża – 388,223.27 PLN
Support from Warsaw’s City Hall
These figures are not the only sources of income for Fundacja Ocalenie. In 2021—described by Matecki as a peak year for the migrant crisis on Poland’s border with Belarus—the foundation reportedly received 1,941,196.43 PLN in total funding, including:
- 1,551,091 PLN from European sources
- 303,244.86 PLN from Polish local governments
A significant portion of the local government money, according to Matecki, came from the City of Warsaw led by Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.
Surging Salary Expenditures
Matecki also noted a sharp increase in payments to Fundacja Ocalenie staff over the past three years:
- 2,378,754.27 PLN in 2021
- 6,735,291.69 PLN in 2022
- 12,357,553.76 PLN in 2023
“In 2023, aside from the Batory Foundation, they were also financed by the U.S. State Department, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the City of Warsaw (under Trzaskowski),” Matecki said.