I National Congress of Mom's Clubs under way in Warsaw!
22.09.2023
Inspiring guests, developing workshops and many interesting conversations - and all this about the topic of integrating family and professional life. The First Congress of Mom's Clubs organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Family and Social Policy is now under way. "We are taking part in Poland's largest event devoted to the idea of creating mom's clubs and building a parent-friendly environment, in particular for parents of young children," emphasised Minister Marlena Maląg.
Before 2023, Mom's Clubs had been developing on their own, mostly informally. The Ministry of Family and Social Policy initiated actions in support of Mom's Clubs and allocated PLN 7 million to the establishment of a network of facilities where parents can enhance their parenting competencies, with local communities given an opportunity to take part
in initiatives that integrate local residents for the benefit of families. We are committed to building Poland that is known as a parent-friendly place," added Minister of Family and Social Policy Marlena Maląg.
Mom's Clubs represent an initiative of active women that has a real impact on improving the quality of family life. Women, moms need space and a place where they can develop their talents and pursue their hobbies. In everyday life, meetings at a club give strength and offer support in challenges faced by families. I know personally how important such support is. The experience of maternity teaches good organisation of time in order to achieve goals in a quick and quality manner. Maternity also develops soft and social competencies which are increasingly appreciated by employers. Maternity is not a barrier. Just the opposite, it allows starting a new stage in life. I am happy to see the growing mom's clubs facilitate that process," said Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy Barbara Socha.
This year's first edition of the event was held at Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel in Warsaw.
The congress was attended by more than 150 participants who plan to promote the Club ideas in their local towns, including leaders of Mom's Clubs, leaders of Parent's Clubs as well as representatives of informal groups and non-governmental organisations.
The invited guests and lecturers shared their experience and presented good practices regarding integration, development and promotion of space for parents as a source of personal and special development.
The discussion panel titled "Supporting power of mom's clubs" reviewed the conclusions
and challenges relating to the development of parent's clubs in Poland.
We want to make parenthood more prestigious. Mom's clubs offer space where you, as parents, will be able to spread your wings. Efforts made by parents are enormous and have both personal and social dimension. Therefore we need initiatives which will provide tools and, most importantly, become a real support for parents," emphasised Dorota Bojemska, the Chair of the Family Council.
Taking part in the discussion were leaders who promote the club idea in Poland: Barbara Socha – Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy, Karol Grabiec – the Union of Large Families 3+ (the author of the Family Spot), Ewa Król - the Academy of Woman and Family Development, the Sister Józefa Menendez "Life Passion" Foundation, Magdalena Łazeba - the Mom's Club Family Alliance, Agata Ziółek - the "Sto Pociech" Foundation. The panel was moderated by Dorota Bojemska, the Chair of the Family Council.
In addition to the discussion part, there was also some space for practice. The participants took part in practical workshops run by Justyna Ekielska–Kubicz and Blanka Brzozowska and devoted to establishing and running mom's clubs in their towns. There were also workshops with advice
on how to manage the home cabinet (run by Joanna Nagel) and workshops on agile and time-efficient planning of meals (run by the well-known @Och!mistrzyni Teresa Woźna). In addition, some tips on home management were shared by Agnieszka Stefaniuk, the well-known influencer @FamilyFunByMum.
The moment when Leaders of Mom's Clubs were distinguished for their efforts and commitment was an important item on the agenda, as they make the idea take real shape and bring benefits to parents across Poland.
For more information visit www.klubymam.pl
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Information about "Family First!", a contest organised by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy
The contest is addressed to social organisations, including associations, foundations and church organisations that support married couples as the best care and education environment for children, prepare young people to tackle family life challenges, and create an environment that is particularly friendly to families.
The fourth edition of the contest in 2023 co-financed the best projects in the following two priorities:
- "Campaigns", i.e. information, education and training projects aiming to strengthen families
- "Clubs", i.e. project that build a network of facilities where parents can enhance their parenting competencies and local communities can take part in initiatives that integrate local residents for the benefit of families.
The total amount of co-financing is PLN 17 million, of which:
- PLN 10 million is allocated to Priority 1 "Campaigns"
PLN 7 million is allocated to Priority 2 "Clubs"