Community, Responsible Business, and Tangible Aid: A Report from the Caritas Charity Forum 2026

On October 22, the annual Caritas Poland Charity Forum took place at the Polish Army Museum, located within the Warsaw Citadel. The event brought together donors, representatives from the business world, humanitarian experts, and staff from charitable organizations. Our foundation was also represented, with Julian Pawlukiewicz, chairman of the JohnnyBros Foundation, in attendance. In his opening remarks, the Director of Caritas Poland, Fr. Janusz Majda, described this year’s Forum as a "festival of goodness," thanking partners for their ongoing, day-to-day support of those most in need. The event’s central theme was: "Helping Beyond Special Occasions - How Business Responds to Real Social Needs."

What is the Charity Forum, and what topics were discussed?

The Charity Forum serves as a space for discussions on modern philanthropy, sustainable support for those in need, and how to build partnerships between the business sector and non-governmental organizations. The guest of honor, Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz, highlighted demographic challenges and the need to rebuild a sense of community in the face of growing individualism.

The event featured four main panel discussions:

1. Social Change - Supporting Seniors in Poland: Experts addressed issues affecting the elderly, including poverty and loneliness. Among the topics presented were eg. the outcomes of the 10-year "For Daily Shopping" ("Na codzienne zakupy") program, carried out in partnership with the Biedronka Foundation, which provides support through shopping cards and engages volunteers to assist seniors.
2. From survival to self-reliance - the "Family to Family" ("Rodzina Rodzinie") program: A decade of support for people affected by conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Ukraine was discussed. Experts highlighted the growing role of cash assistance and the funding of micro-enterprises, which enable those affected to regain their independence.
3. 11 years of partnership-based aid in Nepal: Representatives from Caritas Nepal (Fr. Silas KB Bogati and Pragya Maharjan) presented the challenges associated with post-disaster reconstruction and the impacts of climate change - including the danger posed by 47 glacial lakes in the Himalayas that are at risk of bursting.
4. Business responding to social needs: Representatives from the corporate sector and Caritas discussed the effective distribution of food, the equipping of soup kitchens, and the building of stable relationships between businesses and NGOs.

The official part of the event concluded with a special artistic performance by Krystyna Prońko.

Impressions from the event: A perspective from the JohnnyBros Foundation

Participating in the Forum was a valuable experience for the JohnnyBros Foundation and an opportunity for deeper reflection on the directions for providing aid. Julian Pawlukiewicz, chairman of the foundation, shared his impressions of the event:

„I am very pleased to have been able to take part in the Caritas Charity Forum 2026. I found the presentations by guests who shared their experiences working in regions affected by humanitarian crises to be particularly valuable.”

„I was deeply struck by the account given by a Caritas representative from Aleppo, Syria, who coordinates the organization’s efforts under the ‘Family to Family’ program. Although the prospect of the war ending remains uncertain, the program provides tangible support to the local community. One of its components is financial assistance that enables people to start their own businesses. This allows them not only to rebuild their independence but also to create jobs and help others in turn.”

„Also moving were the presentations by guests from Nepal, who outlined the challenges their country faces due to climate change. Of particular concern are the risks posed by glacial lakes; a sudden outburst could lead to the flooding of vast, inhabited areas.”

„Participating in the forum was a valuable opportunity for me to gain a better understanding of the scale and diversity of the problems faced by communities around the world, and to see how specific aid initiatives can translate into a real improvement in people’s lives.”

Summary

The Caritas Charity Forum 2026 clearly demonstrated that modern philanthropy is rooted in partnership, accountability, and long-term solutions. We are pleased that the JohnnyBros Foundation had the opportunity to participate in such a valuable event, drawing inspiration from exemplary initiatives implemented both in Poland and around the world.