The Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, the country's biggest non-formal youth education organisation, rushed to help Ukrainian refugees from day one of the war, attending to their various and evolving needs. The PSGA is proud its members decided to take up service for Ukraine without a second thought, for which it can also take credit. The ideals that the PSGA instils in its young members encourage them to try to make the world a better place, which is an effort that should be made by each and every one of us on a daily basis. We had many questions for Olga Junkuszew, the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association spokesperson.

EESC Info: What prompted you to start the project?
It was only natural that we should respond to this crisis — service is an extremely important aspect of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association's educational work. The reaction of the PSGA's members showed that our continuous educational work and the ideals we convey to young people truly have an impact on their lives, supporting them and encouraging them to make the world a better place. We are proud that our members decided to take up service in support of Ukraine without a second thought.

How was your project received? Did you have any feedback from the people you helped? (Can you give us an example, if you have any?)
Our project was very well received. We estimate that one in three Ukrainian refugees received support in centres run by scouts and that nearly 6000 children were able to have the opportunity to go to summer camps. We know that this gave children the chance to experience the physical, mental and emotional rest they so dearly needed. Our actions have evolved alongside the changing needs. We know that it was viewed positively that we were able to constantly meet successive challenges. We also receive positive feedback from the Ukrainian scouting organisations we are in contact with.

How will you use this specific funding to provide further help in the community? Are you already planning new projects?
Thanks to the monetary prize we will be able to further develop our educational programme, which allows us to shape future generations of engaged citizens who take the initiative and are there where they are needed, responding to the challenges of today's world. Thanks to these funds, the PSGA's members will be able to continue to grow among friends, while acquiring lifelong skills and building their character according to scouting values.

What advice would you give to other organisations in terms of achieving results with such activities and programmes?
We believe that for an organisation to achieve results it must always work according to its values and only act in line with its mission. Then it will not be necessary to worry about the results or the engagement of its members.

Do you see solidarity fatigue with Ukrainian refugees kicking in if the war in Ukraine persists? What can and should civil society organisations do to prevent this from happening? Could the EU play a positive role here?
Of course! As scouts from the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, we believe that each of us should make the effort every day to leave the world at least a little better than we found it. This means that people should be encouraged to take small actions every day that continue to change the world around us. Helping Ukraine is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to remember this and provide support in our immediate, everyday lives.