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Culture Shock Foundation has been active in the fields of new technologies, art, culture, and non-formal education since 2010. Our focus is on supporting the development of digital skills, organizational culture, and the mental well-being of teams in NGOs and institutions in Poland, Europe and globally. Our mission is to bring about a qualitative change in NGOs and GLAMs and to contribute to the professional development of people working there.

We conduct workshops on well-being, leadership development, burnout prevention, team management, and advocacy. We provide training on new technologies and encourage their ethical use. Additionally, we create innovative digital products, e-learning courses, educational materials, articles, reports, and scenarios for educational and cultural activities. We have been operating continuously for more than fourteen years, providing support to several hundred people from dozens of institutions and organizations every year. To date, we have carried out more than 70 national (ranging from district to nationwide) and 10 international projects, working with partners from 24 countries in Europe and around the world. Some of the institutions and organizations we have had the opportunity to work with include the Foundation for the Development of Information Society, the Pilsudski Museum, the National Museum in Warsaw, the Institute of Urban Culture in Lublin, the Center for Civic Education, and Code for Poland.

What makes us special?

At the core of our work is a holistic approach to the human being — we pay attention to the potential within her/him/them, the environment in which she/he/they live_s and the technologies she/he/they use_s. Our projects are distinguished by a profound understanding of audience needs and interdisciplinarity. We combine art, science and new technologies to better support activist individuals, managers, and entertainers in the challenges they face. As a result, we create innovative solutions that inspire and set trends in the Polish and European third sector.

The methods and techniques we use include user-centered design, design thinking, theater improv, creative writing, digital storytelling, and participatory approaches. We also use digital tools based on AI, VR and AR in our work, paying attention to their influence on human psychophysical health.

Our team includes specialists and experts with experience in cultural animation, design, research, psychotherapy, art therapy, application of new technologies (including AI) in art, culture, and education (see About page to get to know us better).

Partnerships

Culture Shock Foundation is open to being invited as a partner to the international projects concerning culture, art, well-being and new technologies. We have extensive experience as a leader and partner in projects under Erasmus+ KA2, the Liechtenstein Financial Mechanism, and the EEA and Norway Grants. We are open to collaborate as a partner for Visegrad Fund, Interreg, Creative Europe, and other programs. Write to us to explore opportunities for grant applications and innovative projects together: info@cultureshock.pl (Title: Partnership opportunity).

Contact us: hello@cultureshock.pl

Testimonials

We are very positive about the role of the Culture Shock Foundation in the field of research and prevention of professional and activist burnout. Particularly noteworthy is the comprehensive offer of support for activist burnout that FCS offers in its projects — including both individual (coaching, interventions), group and organizational (creation of document templates, internal policies) activities. Culture Shock Foundation also introduces innovative, valuable online burnout prevention tools (e.g., tests to assess the scale of burnout risk).

RegenerAction Foundation (PL)Natalia Sarata, Founder

The Culture Shock Foundation offered us a well-organized, clear and sustainable process for working on solutions to improve the team's well-being and cooperation among its members. Over the course of several months, with Paulina and Peter's guidance, we were able to deal with difficulties that we had previously been unable to resolve, talk about things that were not easy for us to discuss, and begin to change our organizational culture toward increased psychological safety, caring for each other and feedback. These sessions are certainly the best investment for any workplace or team.

Child Helpline InternationalKasia Smolińska, People & Operations Officer

Culture Shock Foundation plays an important role in the Polish non-governmental sector in the field of prevention of professional burnout. It has conducted and is conducting valuable remedial programs, uses its own tools, and supports other organizations and groups. It is able to create broad partnerships for solving pressing problems in NGOs, including at the legal and systemic level. She also draws inspiration from her international activities and brings best practices to the Polish NGO sector.

GOOD LIFE Developement Foundation (PL)Aleksandra Chodasz, CEO

Razem z Fundacją Culture Shock zorganizowałyśmy warsztaty dla artystek i artystów sztuk wizualnych „TWORZENIE W KRYZYSIE — WARSZTATY Z NADZIEI”. Wydarzenie odbyło się w ramach organizowanego przez Zachętę – Narodową Galerię Sztuki ostatniej, X edycji konkursu Spojrzenia 2021 (...) Wierzę, że opieka i troska wobec artystek i artystów są teraz podstawowymi obowiązkami instytucji kultury i dlatego to nie będzie nasza ostatnia współpraca z Culture Shock.

Zachęta — National Art Gallery (PL)Magdalena Komornicka, Art Curator