Polish aid

Development cooperation is an integral part of foreign policy, being an expression of our solidarity with developing countries as well as fulfilment of obligations resulting from Poland’s membership in international organisations. As a Member State of the European Union, the UN and the OECD, we are involved in activities of the international community aimed at implementing Sustainable Development Goals, fighting poverty, promoting social development and providing aid to populations affected by armed conflicts. Poland is a relatively new donor of development assistance, and yet we are already working in areas where we can share our knowledge and experience. This means first and foremost strengthening the societies of partner countries through actions that benefit children, persons with disabilities, or those at risk of exclusion. Among the projects implemented by our diplomatic missions and those initiated by NGOs, the majority is aimed at providing access to education, including vocational education to increase opportunities for decent work, or at improving the quality of health care. Moreover, the significance of Polish institutions in these activities increases every year. Invariably, important partners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs include Polish non-profit organisations and public administration offices. Among the priority countries of Polish Aid, four Eastern Partnership countries are of particular importance: Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. In the 2017 report, we have decided to highlight cooperation with these countries, although the report also contains information on our involvement in priority countries outside Europe: Palestine, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal and Tanzania.

This report will make you aware of the great needs and challenges the countries of the Global South are facing and particularly the needs and challenges of the Polish Aid priority countries. It is also a matter of pride that Poland is making an effort to effectively address these challenges and has contributed to poverty reduction and to improvement of opportunities for a better future for hitherto deprived people and countries.