Safety is a process that begins close to us – in local communities, schools, and organizations that know how to act in crisis situations. The “Scouting for Safety” project, implemented by the Kielce Banner of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (ZHP), is an example of how professional infrastructure for civil protection and civil defense is created in practice.
Responding to Real Challenges
The Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, like many other regions, faces new challenges. Violent weather events and social crises have shown that systemic safety requires support from prepared citizens. Statistics are a signal for action: although the number of interventions is increasing, only 30% of us still feel fully prepared to provide first aid.
The POP Fund, by supporting the Kielce scouts as part of the “Resilience” edition, focuses on concrete solutions that fill this gap.
Professionalization and Modern Infrastructure
Precision is what counts in rescue operations, which is why a key element of the project was the professionalization of the training base. Thanks to the support from the fund, the scouts acquired specialized educational equipment:
- Modern training phantoms,
- AED defibrillators,
- Comprehensively equipped training first aid kits.
This infrastructure allows for conducting classes in accordance with the highest rescue standards. As a result, ZHP instructors have become substantive partners for the public administration and the Governor of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, carrying out civil protection tasks at the highest level.
Investing in People: The Scale Effect
The greatest value of the project is its durability. The Kielce Banner does not focus on one-off initiatives, but on building permanent competencies. The program involved preparing 50 ZHP instructors who, as certified trainers, will create a network of safety leaders throughout the region.
This is a model example of multiplication activities: the trained staff will pass on knowledge to nearly 900 young people every year. In this way, the investment in equipment and training translates into thousands of residents of the voivodeship who know how to keep a cool head and provide assistance.
POP Fund – A Partner in Building Resilience
At the POP Fund, we believe that modern civil protection is based on professional social organizations that are close to the people and possess the appropriate know-how. By supporting the Kielce Banner, we show how to effectively combine social potential with the requirements of the state security system.
Our role is to provide the tools that allow turning passion and commitment into real, measurable resilience for all of us. The project of the Świętokrzyskie scouts is proof that the NGO sector is today a mature and essential link in the citizen protection system.
The project is funded thanks to the PKO Bank Polski Foundation and the ORLEN Foundation.
