The Prime Minister’s Office has demanded the return of a grant from the Independent Media Foundation. The amount in question is significant—over PLN 5.7 million—awarded for the implementation of the project “Academy of Democracy.” The initiative included training for election observers (so-called “trusted representatives”), preparing them to properly perform their duties during elections. It was also addressed to members of electoral commissions, civic observers, activists and local leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations, as well as individuals interested in active participation in public life and oversight of democratic processes.
The project initially aimed to train 2,500 participants, but in the end, more than 5,000 individuals were trained. The funds received from the Prime Minister’s Office were spent in accordance with the agreement and properly accounted for. Importantly, in December 2023, the Prime Minister’s Office formally approved the project’s final report, confirming that the grant had been used lawfully, the Foundation stated.
Despite this, the Prime Minister’s Office has now reversed its position and concluded that the grant was undue, arguing that the project allegedly did not fall within the Foundation’s statutory objectives—even though the very same authority had previously reviewed the statute before awarding the funds and raised no objections.
A Case of Gross Injustice
The Foundation has appealed the decision, pointing, among other things, to a violation of the constitutional principle of citizens’ trust in the state and the law it creates (Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland). However, this argument was not considered at all during the reconsideration of the case.
In its statement, the President of the Independent Media Foundation emphasized that the situation represents a case of blatant injustice. The Foundation acted in good faith, carried out the project in accordance with the agreement and applicable law, and was subsequently burdened with the obligation to return funds that had already been used in line with state decisions. Such actions undermine the foundations of legal certainty and trust in public institutions, exposing the organization to serious financial consequences.
The Foundation Requests Support
The Independent Media Foundation has announced that it does not accept the decision and will take further legal steps to protect its rights.
At the same time, pursuing an effective legal battle in such a complex case requires substantial financial resources—both for legal services and further procedural actions. Therefore, the President of the Independent Media Foundation is appealing for support, which will enable the pursuit of justice, the defense of fundamental principles of the rule of law, and help raise awareness of the case.
The Foundation can be supported through donations to the following accounts:
Telewizja Republika
Account Number: 90 1240 6003 1111 0010 6960 7476
Reference: Donation for the defense of freedom of speech
Independent Media Foundation
Account Number: 62 1240 1053 1111 0010 5517 7864
Reference: Donation for the defense of freedom of speech
Republika Foundation
Account Number: 23 1090 1883 0000 0001 5859 5543
Reference: Donation for the defense of freedom of speech