WHERE OUR NAME CAME FROM? WHY KobieTY?

We have started as an organisation working on behalf of Women in Łódź. Now we are not only referring to women or even humanity in the Łódź region but in our project we connect to larger concepts that support regenerative life on Earth.

KobieTY association (former kobiety.lodz.pl) founders were women living in Łódź, Poland.

The organization was created in 2000. The founder, Bogna Stawicka, was previously an active worker in Łódź’s Center for Women’s Rights. During her work there, she recognized the need to make changes that prevent the factors leading to the formation of social issues such as discrimination, lack of independence, domestic violence etc.

At the beginning, the organisation was named “Nike” after the Greek goddess of strength and victory. However the name created too much confusion with a certain shoe company and led to changing the name to the name of a web portal – the most recognised product of association at that time. The organization was innovative because it created a web portal (at the times before Facebook was created), which gave women of Łódź the opportunity of development and inspired each other. The web page doubled as a database of information, social journalism and gave way to what we now understand as networking. The mission established in 2000 was: „To inspire women to develop, explore the passion and the force that comes from independent thinking… and to show this strength to the world!”

The portal inspired women not only to develop themselves, but eventually led to the development of the organization. Initial local activity turned into international initiatives. So far, we have already successfully finished more than 100 international projects.

Our view on social change has expanded, and nowadays, we implement not only projects addressed to women. Today, our intercultural, intergenerational, international environment is created by both women and men. And our activities are focused on broader issues such as sustainable development goals and changemaking. The world is changing and we are with it! 🙂

ABOUT KobieTY 

KobieTY is a non-governmental, non-profit association from Łódź, Poland. 

Our MISSION is to support positive changes in our societies with quality non-formal education and activities that connect people and the environment in a community spirit.  

To get to know us and our local context you can watch this video:

KobieTY was founded in 2000 as a Women empowerment organisation. With the aim to help support women to grow, be more confident, get financial and economical independence. With a special focus on developing competencies that can help women not to get into violence, dependent relationships. 

With Poland entering the EU in 2004 more possibilities opened for KobieTY to engage international projects 2006 – First international volunteer project

KobieTY had been active in Erasmus+ International Volunteering projects (EVS) for 10 years. As a hosting, sending and coordinating organisation. The volunteering projects had given us an opportunity to establish collaborations with local kindergartens and primary schools, art and cultural centers and other local NGOs where volunteers were hosted. During our years of work we were connecting international projects with our local initiatives. For ex. Because we were hosting local senior group activities and international volunteers at the same time in our office we developed an intergenerational partnership project co-financed by Erasmus+. KobieTY also gained experience in organizing festivals and conferences. With volunteers’ support, we co-organised the local congress of Women 2013 in Łódź 2014 and created the 4 editions of a diversity festival called “Boat of Culture” 2015.  

OUR JOURNEY

Because of having international volunteers we started to work with local young people and start getting to know more and more youths all over the world. Since 2010 KobieTY developed focus on youth initiatives, hired young project coordinators and organised over …..  youth exchange projects and training courses. We have also developed our coaching and conflict transformation skills thanks to the young people. Working with youth and having youths in our organisation become an integral part of our identity. 

In the year of 2013 until 2017 Bogna was working in Łódź’s City Council office as the Diversity Officer (looking after the equality treatment of vulnerable groups in our city). This created new possibilities for our NGO and helped us to get involved in local policy advising groups that we still keep relationships with. This connection also allowed us to discover more ways to create local impact. 

In 2018 KobieTY started to develop more in the adult education sector. 

One of the reasons to become more active in this area was the fact that our “old team” became “older” and adult issues became simply more noticeable for us. Currently we work more with mostly women from Łódź city and from the regional towns. Our common needs to collaborate, continue to inspire each other and learn together, constantly develop with support of each other. We also focus on local partnerships and personal development as professionals and individuals for sustainable future of our communities.

KobieTY TEAM

Bogumiła “Bogna” Stawicka – Founder and President of KobieTY

With a background in Economics and Philosophy and postgraduate studies in Education and Creative Thinking. Bogna is the visionary behind KobieTY. Her expertise lies in gender equality, diversity, and changemaking. For over two decades, she has led international projects, combining her knowledge and passion to inspire and empower individuals to create social impact.

Katarzyna Deka – Vice President and International Project Coordinator

A psychologist by training and a passionate youth worker, Katarzyna has been part of KobieTY since 2013. Her strengths include creating safe spaces, finding peaceful solutions, and facilitating workshops on personal growth, social transformation, and non-formal education. Her leadership in projects promotes a culture of collaboration and celebration.

Krystyna Stawicka – Board Member and International Project Coordinator

With a degree in Media and Film Studies and extensive international experience, Krystyna is dedicated to building human connections and sustainable communities. She has coordinated eco-centered projects, including initiatives on food forests and youth leadership in ecology. Her skills in networking, facilitation, and deep listening support KobieTY’s global outreach and local impact.

WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED PROJECTS CO-FINANCED BY:

• The European Union (though Erasmus+ Programme)
• RITA (Region in Transition)
• Polish-Lithuanian Youth Exchange Fund
• Polish-German Youth Cooperation
• FIO (Fund for Civic Initiatives)
• Council of Europe
• Visegrad Fund
• Other International and Regional Funding Bodies
• Private companies support for the Boat of Culture Festival (ex. Nordea, Fujitsu)

INTERNATIONAL PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

CURRENT AREAS OF WORK

• Lifelong learning through creative, non-formal education.
• Promoting diversity, equality, and peaceful conflict transformation with NVC. 
• Building connections—across cultures, generations, and communities.
• Nurturing sustainable, regenerative relationships with nature.
• Empowering individuals to lead change in their communities.

Non-formal education: Workshops, training.

Diversity and equality: Intercultural dialogue, integration projects.

Ecology and regeneration: Environmental protection projects.

Youth and intergenerational cooperation: International exchanges, local initiatives.

OUR PROJECTS/IMPACT

• 100+ international projects completed.
• 500+ women empowered through training and workshops.
• 1,000+ youth engaged in leadership programs.