The Shared Purpose Behind the Fund
For many years now, we at For a Change Fund have been committed to strengthen local initiatives that improve the reality for LGBT+ people here and now. One of the tools we have been using to effectively achieve this goal is the Granty dla Odmiany (Grants for Change) program. Seven years on, it continues to support local rainbow initiatives, on their own terms. Spanning the entire country—from workshops run by rural women’s groups to queer festivals in Upper Silesia—it allows queer stories of change to leave an ever more permanent mark on the fabric of our society.
At a time when queer identities were often lived in silence, in hiding, or within subcultures, Wojtek lived his gay identity openly — both in his immediate personal environment and in his professional life as an actor and teacher. In doing so, he embodied precisely what we at Dla Odmiany are trying to achieve today through our programmes. In this way, Wojtek inspired our joint initiative.
The Królik Fund – a new chapter in the history of Granty dla Odmiany
From now on, as part of every edition of Grants for a Change (Granty dla Odmiany), one additional grant will be awarded through his memorial fund. Starting today, you too can contribute to the growth of this initiative—by becoming its ambassador, sharing your memories for our archive, or chipping in to the Fund.
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A Glimpse Behind the Fund: Wojtek’s Story
Wojtek’s impact didn’t come from political activism, but simply from his lived experience — from living openly and authentically, both in his daily life and at work. At a time when LGBT+ people in Poland were mostly invisible or reduced to harmful stereotypes, his natural presence inspired others and gently changed perspectives. It was this straightforward honesty that brought him to the TVN talk show “Rozmowy w Toku” right after the first Pride Parade in 2001, where he shared his coming-out story. Wojtek never backed down from uncomfortable conversations, knowing that kind, supportive people exist everywhere, regardless of current media narratives.
At the age of 40, he was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. He joined the Polish Huntington’s Disease Association, becoming one of its self-advocates, and continued his artistic work. In collaboration with Artur Żmijewski, he released a recording of Shakespeare’s sonnets and became the centerpiece of Roman Woźniak’s play “Za siedmioma chmurami” (Beyond Seven Clouds). In essence, nothing changed. Except, perhaps, that the waiters at “Między Nami” on Bracka Street now had to sweep broken teacups off the floor a little more often.
But this is just one of many stories about a man whose approach will now give shape and direction to the Królik Fund. We hope you will share the next one—one that might completely challenge our current assumptions, but will bring something far more important: stories and anecdotes of past LGBT+ lives that future generations can see themselves reflected in.
That is why one of the pillars of the Królik Fund will be an archive of personal stories and memories—both about Wojtek and other queer individuals. Join us by reaching out through the link below; we will get back to you, and together we will build this archive.
The core pillar of the initiative, however, remains the grants—because it is through them that people across Poland are turning their dreams of equality into reality. By supporting them, you allow more individual queerstories to unfold, and help others find safety within their local communities in the face of challenges.
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You can also fund an entire grant, ensuring the Królik Fund’s independence from volatile institutional NGO funding sources.
If you think this might be something for you – reach out to us at [email protected], so we can discuss how we can help each other.
At the Królik Fund, we focus on continuity—both despite and because of our fragmented queerstory. We dismantle helplessness by giving small local revolutions a chance to happen every day, town by town. We counter the sense of isolation with a sense of belonging to a wider, multigenerational, nationwide community. We motivate fellow LGBT+ people and local allies to simply do their thing, effectively and at a steady, calm pace. No more abruptly cut chapters and unfinished sentences. The story Wojtek started will now be continued by future generations of LGBT+ people from all across Poland.
Let’s write it together.