Partners and ambassadors of the “Rooted” programme gathered their experiences and created the publication “Women for Nature.” It is a practical guide to local action, full of inspiring stories about agency, courage and the strength of local leaders who did not want to wait for the world around them to change; they decided to change it with their own hands by building supportive and caring local communities that are resilient to crises and close to nature and tradition.
From the very beginning, the “Rooted” programme has been based on a simple assumption: real change begins locally, with conversation, attentive listening and people who are ready to take responsibility for their surroundings. It was from such conversations, often held in village community centres, cultural institutions or around a shared table, that ideas emerged, which over time turned into concrete actions for the environment, community and local safety.
The published report is a summary of a multi-year process of building the “Rooted” network, a programme that supports women working in rural areas and small towns in eastern and southern Poland. The document shows the journey from the first, often very modest initiatives to large-scale activities currently carried out by 10 programme ambassadors and over 100 local leaders who have so far engaged more than 16,000 people in their actions.
The document presents profiles of the ambassadors and the initiatives they have developed in their communities. These activities include water retention and drought prevention, biodiversity protection, reducing food waste, limiting excessive consumption and strengthening local resilience to climate change. They share one thing in common: all were created in response to real needs of local communities, not as ready-made solutions imposed from outside.
The “Rooted” programme is primarily addressed to village leaders, local community leaders and members of rural women’s associations – women who enjoy trust in their communities and act as the first point of contact when a problem or a need arises. The programme is co-created by Natalia Borkowska from the FARMa Foundation, Monika Roszak from the Roll-Na Foundation, Marta Smejda from the Sołtyski Group and Monika Szewczyk-Wittek from the Polska z Natury Foundation. Each of these individuals brings different experience and competencies, which allows “Rooted” to develop as an initiative based on cooperation, knowledge exchange and mutual trust. The programme is funded by the Polska z Natury Foundation, which enables its long-term implementation and systematic support of local leaders across the entire network.
The document covers activities initiated in 2022, developed in 2023 through building a network of leaders, and then intensively implemented from 2024 after the selection of ambassadors. The document is not only a summary of past activities, but also a practical tool and a source of inspiration for others who want to act locally, in line with their own values. The publication shows that effective change does not have to start with large strategies. Often, it is enough to have the courage to start talking, listening and acting where one lives. “Rooted” is a movement of women who look to the future with care for their “small homelands” and with the belief that collective local action can realistically improve quality of life, both today and for future generations.
Partners and ambassadors of the “Rooted” programme have gathered their experiences and created the publication “Women for Nature.” It is a practical guide to local action, filled with stories about agency, courage and the strength of local leaders who did not want to wait for change, but decided to create it themselves by building supportive, resilient communities close to nature and tradition.
From the beginning, the “Rooted” programme has been based on a simple idea: real change starts locally, with conversation, attentive listening and people who are ready to take responsibility for their surroundings. Many of these conversations, often held in community centres, cultural houses or around a shared table, gradually turned into concrete actions supporting the environment, local communities and resilience.
The report is a summary of several years of building the “Rooted” network, a programme that supports women working in rural areas and small towns in eastern and southern Poland. It presents a journey from small, often modest initiatives to broader actions now carried out by 10 ambassadors and more than 100 local leaders who have engaged over 16,000 people.
The document includes profiles of ambassadors and the initiatives they have developed in their communities. These activities focus on water retention and drought prevention, biodiversity protection, reducing food waste, limiting overconsumption and strengthening local resilience to climate change. What connects them is that they all respond to real needs of local communities rather than being imposed from outside.
The “Rooted” programme is aimed primarily at village leaders, local community leaders and members of rural women’s associations. These are women who are trusted in their communities and often become the first point of contact when a problem or need arises. The programme is co-created by Natalia Borkowska from the FARMa Foundation, Monika Roszak from the Roll-Na Foundation, Marta Smejda from the Sołtyski Group and Monika Szewczyk-Wittek from the Polska z Natury Foundation. Each of them brings different experience and skills, allowing “Rooted” to grow as an initiative based on cooperation, knowledge sharing and mutual trust. The programme is funded by the Polska z Natury Foundation, which enables its long-term development and consistent support for local leaders across the network.
The document covers activities that began in 2022, developed in 2023 through building a network of leaders and were further expanded from 2024 after the selection of ambassadors. It is not only a summary of past activities but also a practical tool and a source of inspiration for others who want to act locally and in line with their values. It shows that effective change does not have to start with large strategies. Often, it is enough to have the courage to start talking, listening and acting where you live. “Rooted” is a movement of women who look to the future with care for their local communities and with the belief that collective local action can improve quality of life today and for future generations.
When small ideas become local transformation
The activities of the ambassadors focus on key environmental and social challenges, providing a practical response to deficits in knowledge and infrastructure in rural areas. Among the initiatives implemented are projects related to water retention and drought prevention, activities for biodiversity, promoting local agriculture and reducing food waste, counteracting consumerism and supporting the energy transition in rural areas.
The “Rooted” network brings together women with different experiences, united by a common goal: care for their “small homeland” and ensuring a better future for future generations. Cooperation between the ambassadors is a developmental process based on relationships – they support each other in moments of doubt, learn from one another and celebrate shared successes. Their strength is expressed in their ability to speak openly about difficult issues – about changes in nature, problems of local communities and the need to care for the common good, tradition and modernity.
Below we present profiles of the ambassadors, which testify to how courage, passion and building authentic relationships translate into real change
Agata Chmura: I prefer to plant a tree
A resident of the Bieszczady Mountains, an environmental educator at the Natura 2000 Promotion Centre at the Caritas Centre in Myczkowce. She specialises in nature education, conducts herbal workshops and is the author of numerous ecological projects. Although she studied Polish philology, she returned to her high school passion – biology – and works as an environmental educator.
In the Bieszczady region, which lacks continuity of tradition due to depopulation after World War II, she considers nature to be an important element of heritage that is only now taking root. Thanks to the “Rooted” programme, she organises events outside the centre, which results in higher attendance, because residents see that she does it out of passion rather than professional obligation.
In 2024 she diagnosed that initially residents rejected topics such as drought or flooding, but after extreme weather events in 2024 their awareness increased. Activities focus on establishing rain gardens, workshops increasing biodiversity and recycling initiatives.
She is proud of the strong support within the group of women leaders who act independently. Her personal motivation is faith – she feels that as a Christian she has a duty to care for nature, and instead of demonstrating, she prefers to plant a tree.
Justyna Jurczyk: The power of small communities
A herbalist, phytotherapist and president of the Candelaria Foundation. Owner of the Lamium brand producing natural candles.
She works for the residents of the Stawiguda municipality, focusing on local ecological and social initiatives. Her involvement in ecology began 13 years ago due to her daughter’s illness and interest in herbs. She believes that the greatest strength is community and real interpersonal contact.
Initially she focused on the problem of waste in the municipality, but the needs assessment showed that the most important thing is building a local community. She engages people through plant-based cooking workshops, the Herbal Festival and “Rzeczosfera” (a garage sale).
She emphasises that the most effective method of engagement is direct, personal invitation and conversation. She cooperates with local government, creating the “Good Climate is You” competition, which encouraged residents to present everyday pro-environmental actions, demonstrating openness to grassroots initiatives.
She believes in the power of small communities and building a support network where asking for help is not seen as abuse.
Karina Majcherska: Sometimes one phone call is enough
Village head of Gady, president of the KARO Foundation, chair of a rural women’s association. For over 20 years she has been active in the field of ecology, running a recycling company. She is an ambassador working for the protection of air and water resources in Warmia and Mazury. She comes from Lidzbark Warmiński, but found her place in Gady.
Her work focuses on education about recycling, as she runs a company dealing with recycling of electronic waste, and on raising awareness among village heads about proper handling of such waste. Despite financial support, the biggest problem in her village remains waste burning and economic fear related to switching to ecological heating.
In the community centre, it was possible to replace the heating system with a heat pump and install photovoltaic panels. Climate change, including unstable weather, drought and power outages, is a real challenge that she is trying to help the community adapt to.
She is proud of the integration of women who were previously afraid to act and now call with their own initiatives. She prefers local action, such as planting flowers and digging pipes, rather than protesting in the streets. Her vision for the next ten years is an ecological village with heat pumps, photovoltaics, rainwater tanks and proper waste segregation.
Dominika Marć: From coffee to cooperation
Head of the Dębica Academy of Development Foundation, works at ROS-SWEET and as a coach and mental trainer. Co-creates the “Oaza” rural women’s association in Pustynia, focusing on building relationships and development.
Her social activity comes from her family home, where mutual help was part of everyday life. She believes that local communities need knowledge and awareness about everyday choices and counteracting consumerism.
She built a network of women leaders by inviting them to simple meetings over coffee. She uses the “sandwich method,” presenting difficult but important content in an accessible and engaging way so that people are willing to receive it.
She works for a better future for the next generations, free from concrete and smog. She builds cooperation between local organisations, creating a list of shared resources to avoid competition. She believes that systemic solutions must go hand in hand with grassroots action, and that change begins with upbringing and shared experience.
Regina Musiał: Sometimes you have to put your foot down
She comes from the village of Szklana, is a lawyer by education and works in tax administration. An active member of the Szklana rural women’s association, promoting cultural heritage and initiating pro-environmental projects.
For years she has been dealing with the problem of illegal dumping, which began already in her youth. This became a motivation to take action within the association. Her greatest achievement is transforming unused land, once a landfill known as Kamieniec, into a space for community integration.
The area was obtained from the municipality, a sports field was created despite difficult soil conditions and access roads were improved. She is proud that the space now serves residents and is safe and natural.
She actively promotes biodiversity through a beekeeping initiative and a Herbal Health Path created along the EUROVELO 11 cycling route. She emphasises that her openness to new ideas comes from awareness of her own limitations and the need to consult experts. She believes that results will speak for themselves and sees her role as simply doing her work.
Iwona Orłowska: You just have to keep doing your part
Economist, cultural animator and digital educator. For 14 years she has been managing the Municipal Cultural Centre in Krypno. She is the chair of the Women’s Council of Mońki County and her passion is gardening.
While working at the cultural centre, she noticed a lack of offer for adults, so she decided to involve people from outside the cultural sector, including farmers and local officials. The needs assessment showed problems with drought, waste segregation and excessive consumption.
She organised the “KopCiuszek” clothing exchange and upcycling workshops. She emphasises that changing habits is key, for example the local association stopped using disposable plastic tableware.
She believes that changes in agriculture require time, while the most important are small, rooted changes. She tries to convince sceptical people through practical examples and engaging presentations. These activities strengthen women by giving them a sense of agency and independence.
Wiola Piwowarska: I do not follow trends
A community activist and organiser with over 10 years of experience, founder and president of the PasjoDzielnia Foundation in Wiązownica-Kolonia. She holds a degree in environmental protection and works as an advisor at a Social Economy Support Centre.
The activities of PasjoDzielnia, which she founded together with Małgorzata Skwarzec, focus on strengthening women and environmental awareness, based on contact with nature, including yoga, survival activities and outdoor gatherings. For five years, the team has not used disposable plastic tableware.
She is proud of the authenticity of the place and the strong engagement of volunteers. She distinguishes between activities of PasjoDzielnia, aimed at women already interested in development, and activities within “Rooted,” addressed to those who are less active.
She emphasises that the key is changing the way people think so that they themselves feel the need to leave home and get involved. Her actions are spontaneous and based on available local resources. She does not follow trends, but responds to real needs. She prefers grassroots action to political involvement or public protests.
Karolina Suska: Community is the foundation
A sociologist, educator and trainer from the Lublin region, working for women and rural communities. She is a member of the Women’s Council at the Ministry of Agriculture, where she represents the perspective of small communities.
Her motivation is implementing change and addressing social gaps, with community and education as the foundation of her work. The Women’s Activity Club she founded in 2014 responded to the lack of space for women.
The diagnosis carried out within “Rooted” showed that key issues in her municipality include water as a resource and excessive consumption, including food waste and unused agricultural produce.
In her work at the Women’s Council, she focuses on bringing the perspective of small communities, believing that systemic change must go hand in hand with grassroots action. She prioritises quality over quantity and avoids events that do not support meaningful engagement. She is proud of regional conferences and initiatives that build cooperation, such as community planting and shared care activities.
Agnieszka Wącławska-Hankuz: Learning how to talk
Chair of the rural women’s association in Żarnowica. She works on developing local engagement, ecology and community infrastructure. She comes from Żarnowica and is trained in biology and geography.
She founded the association together with residents, recognising that without grassroots organisation nothing would change. Her main goal is environmental education, making concepts such as ecology more understandable and practical.
She focuses on tangible examples, such as explaining everyday practices related to environmental care. One of the key achievements was strengthening the sense of responsibility among residents for shared spaces.
She also works on addressing local environmental challenges, including water management. She emphasises the importance of expert knowledge in building trust and introducing solutions.
Workshops on communication became an important part of her activity, changing the way meetings are conducted and improving cooperation within the community.
Krystyna Zabrzewska: I am not a diplomat
A resident of Poronin, retired teacher and long-time school head. Founder of the Podtatrze Development Association. She has been socially active since childhood and has been working for the local community for over 30 years.
In 2008 she founded the association to secure funding for local initiatives and to protect the local school from closure. She has obtained significant funding for community development.
Her work combines care for the environment with protection of local traditions, including pastoral culture and craftsmanship. She promotes local products and works to strengthen regional identity.
Within “Rooted” she builds a group of people interested in environment, tradition and health. Her greatest achievement is contributing to the construction of a new school, which united the entire community.
She believes that care for the environment must arise naturally and prefers action over protest.
A community that gives strength and hope
The stories of the “Rooted” ambassadors show that the strength of women lies in combining sensitivity with determination and agency. The programme, created by four foundations, is a movement of women who look to the future with care and conviction.
The key to its success is moving away from top-down solutions and focusing on dialogue and understanding local needs. Small ideas such as rain gardens, reducing consumption or improving waste management become lasting, grassroots changes.
As one of the leaders points out, community creates a space where asking for help is natural and supported, forming a network based on trust and relationships.
The “Rooted” programme is a community that not only supports projects but also gives strength and hope for building a cleaner, healthier and more locally engaged world.