Non-governmental organizations are all entities that are not government bodies or units subordinate to public administration (government and local government) and whose activities are not aimed at making a profit. These can be associations and foundations created by groups of people who share a common goal. This goal may be actions leading to voluntary support and assistance to people. In the municipality of Brzeg Dolny, there are as many as 56 non-governmental organizations registered. We asked a few of them questions – how do they operate and what do they do? Social Integration Association PROPAGO We support non-governmental organizations from the area of the Odra Marshes and promote the third sector and civic activity in our area. We achieve our goals through advisory and training activities, animation of rural areas, and publishing the Civic Activity Bulletin, which has been available electronically since 2019 on our website – www.propago.org.pl. One of our major successes was the organization of the third edition of the NGO Picnic, which is an opportunity to show the residents the activities of the third sector up close through micro-workshops and shows. We are pleased with the great interest shown by the residents of Brzeg Dolny in this initiative, as well as the immense commitment of NGOs, who are also interested in promoting social activities in urban spaces. Uninterruptedly since 2008, we have been implementing social projects aimed at the development of local communities. Over the years, their profile has somewhat changed. In previous years, most of our projects aimed at animating NGOs and community groups from rural areas, as leaders from these areas expressed a desire to increase their competencies while professionalizing the organizations they lead. Currently, we focus on cross-sector cooperation – including supporting the Municipal Public Benefit Council, which acts as a link between local government units and the third sector. We are currently preparing podcasts that will introduce us to the profiles of non-governmental leaders and we continue our statutory activities – advisory services, training, and networking in the third sector. President of the association Krystyna Laszkiewicz Football Academy Brzeg Dolny The Brzeg Dolny Football Academy was founded on January 1, 2015, based on the vast experience of qualified coaches and the determination of the founding parents. The club’s goal is to prepare as many players as possible for competition and playing at the highest level of competition. At the same time, we provide opportunities for recreational football for all interested parties. The Brzeg Dolny Football Academy trains players in the age range of U6 – U19. The youngest group in the Academy are the sprites (6 and 7 years old), followed by groups such as: shepherds (8 and 9 years old), eagles (10 and 11 years old), young people (12 and 13 years old), juniors (14 and 15 years old), junior juniors (16 and 17 years old) and older juniors (18 and 19 years old). Our activities cover all primary and secondary schools in the municipality of Brzeg Dolny. Teams also train players from the Wołów, Środa Śląska, Trzebnica, and Wrocław counties. AP Brzeg Dolny teams participate in competitions organized by the Lower Silesian Football Association, including regional and district leagues for junior seniors, junior juniors, shepherds, and young people, as well as tournaments for eagles, shepherds, and sprites. For several years, the Academy has organized the Nationwide MICOCUP tournament in the U-13 age category, during which our youth had the opportunity for direct competition with players from the largest academies in Poland – Pogoń Szczecin, Zagłębie Lubin, Lech Poznań, Lechia Gdańsk, Jagiellonia Białystok, Legia Warsaw, or Śląsk Wrocław. We also organize tournaments in younger age groups for local teams. Academy coaches constantly improve their knowledge during external training sessions, conferences, and internal workshops. Dedication, humility, and talent for continuous learning are the foundations of our Football Academy. Not everyone will become a footballer, but we want everyone to be able to make informed decisions, compete athletically, understand the concept of respect, and strive for self-improvement. Vice President of the Board Krzysztof Chyziński Youth Firefighting Team “Dolnobrzeskie Ogniki” The Dolnobrzeskie Ogniki Youth Firefighting Team was established to engage young people in social activities for fire protection. “Dolnobrzeskie Ogniki” consists of 22 members, gathering young people from Brzeg Dolny in the age range of 12-18 years. Our tasks include increasing knowledge and skills in fire protection, organizing cultural and educational activities focusing on fire protection issues, developing physical fitness through various sports disciplines and tourism, as well as volunteering. Thus far, the team has been involved in internal training sessions covering firefighting issues, such as training on the equipment we have at the unit, first aid training, and volunteering. We engage young people through organizing bonfires, trips to the cinema, or excursions. In 2023, we participated in events such as the Three Kings March, the 31st Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Finale, the Municipal Firefighting Knowledge Tournament, where five MDP members qualified for the county tournament and later for the provincial one, where our dh Wiktor Wolski took 4th place. We stood guard at the Holy Sepulchre, informed residents of the Senior+ Day Center about carbon monoxide, installed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the homes of seniors. We launched a profile on TikTok and Facebook. We participated in the County Firefighters’ Day, firefighting competitions, a run organized on November 11, a field game at the invitation of the “Cichociemni” scouts, and organized a collection of donations for the St. Brother Albert Homeless Men’s Shelter in Wrocław. Our plans for 2024 include training in other areas of rescue, cooperation with various associations, participation in field games, publishing an MDP calendar, trips to friendly OSP units, volunteering, and participating in the OTWP competition. MDP guardian dh Mirosław Maćko Avasatare Poland Avasatare is not just a sports club, but a space where a passion for combat sports combines with character building and community building. Founded with the vision of creating strong, disciplined, and mutually respectful athletes, Avasatare is a place where everyone, regardless of age or level of advancement, can discover their strength and passion for acrobatics, boxing, or taekwondo. Our club stands out not only for its professional approach to training but also for the atmosphere of mutual support and respect. Since its establishment, Avasatare has focused on promoting a healthy and active lifestyle through combat sports. We strive to engage an increasingly wide range of residents of the Brzeg Dolny municipality. We bring together a wide range of members – from children, through young people, to adults who not only want to train their bodies but also their spirit and mind. The club’s activities have focused on organizing training sessions, workshops, camps, and participating in competitions at various levels – from local to national and even international. Last year, our trainees visited the Netherlands, Finland, and Croatia. Our work aims not only to develop sports skills but also to shape attitudes based on honor, honesty, and respect. Avasatare focuses on continuous development and enrichment of its offer, while also trying to raise awareness in the community about the importance of physical activity and the benefits of regular exercise. We organize summer recreational-sports camps or the Super Taekwondo League project. We have a series of important sports events ahead of us, including the Polish Cup, the Polish Grand Prix, inter-provincial championships, and the Polish championship. It is a great honor and joy for us that three of our athletes have qualified for the narrow group of the Polish national team and will represent our country at the European Championships in April. Coach and founder of Avasatare Kamil Uchnast Association for the Development of the Village of Żerków The Association for the Development of the village of Żerków is a non-governmental organization working for the public good since 2012. In our activities, we focus on the integration and development of local communities, environmental protection, support for children and young people, including recreation, as well as the promotion of volunteering and a positive image of the village. We are eager to engage in actions to provide assistance, as was the case in 2022 when refugees from Ukraine came to our community center. As an organization operating in the municipality of Brzeg Dolny, we initiate various events such as sports picnics, fetes, culinary workshops, handicraft workshops, cultural activities, and very popular zumba classes. We also support the development of talents among residents by organizing instrumental-vocal concerts. During the holidays, we provide children and young people with attractive ways to spend their free time. A particularly beloved event by children is a night under the stars. For several years, we have been organizing the “Clean the village – flower for trash” campaign, which aims to clean up public utility areas such as playgrounds, playgrounds, parks, and forests. We mobilize not only the residents of Żerków for our actions but also friends. We plan to further develop our activities by developing the space around the community center, creating a lavender corner with a relaxation area. The revitalization of the picnic area in the village park is ongoing. Our cooperation with other organizations and local authorities is going very well. We participate in competitions, write projects aimed at obtaining funds for our initiatives. We are in constant contact with donors who appreciate our efforts and support our actions, for which we are very grateful. Our cooperation with the mayor of the village of Żerków, Wioletta Lachowicz, who is an involved member of the association, is very successful. We can always count on her support and help. As an enthusiastic group, we want Żerków to be perceived as a friendly and unique place to live. Board of the association Marzena Bobkiewicz and Edyta Glura If you run a non-governmental organization or are a member of one and want to share its activities, successes, or future plans, we encourage you to contact the editorial office – email: panorama@brzegdolny.pl. We will gladly present your activities in the pages of “Panorama Brzeg Dolny”. Angelika Furgacz