Safe words, places, communities
We create resilient and trust-based communities.
We invite you to participate in a project that shows how to use reading and dialogue as tools for building teams, strengthening social resilience, and local cooperation.
Immunity Laboratory
- what is the project about?
Laboratory
is a space for collaboration
The Resilience Lab is a project that aims to connect local leaders and create a space for building cross-sector teams to strengthen collaboration, information security, and social resilience.
Clear goals and defined outcomes
- Increased trust and dialogue in local communities
- Development of cooperation between institutions (local government, schools, libraries, NGOs, health services)
- Creating sustainable local cross-sector partnerships
- Developing critical thinking skills and social resilience
- Local action plans ready for implementation
120 leaders from 30 cities
The Immunity Laboratory will be attended by four-person teams, composed of representatives of various local units, such as:
- local governments,
- schools,
- libraries,
- social welfare centers,
- health care facilities,
- cultural institutions.
3 days of workshops
The project includes weekend away cooperation HUB on September 25-27, 2026 year.
During its duration, participants:
- learn cross-sectoral work techniques,
- learn to use reading and dialogue to build trust,
- will create lasting local partnerships.
Specific action plan
- During the trip, workshop participants will create the basis for a plan of joint activities between institutions (library, school, social welfare center, clinic, local government).
- Each team will be responsible for refining the plan in their community and implementing the planned activities.
- The final stage will be sharing the results and conclusions from the teams' work.
IMMUNITY LABORATORY - WORKSHOPS
WHEN?
September 25-27, 2026
from Friday to Sunday
WHERE?
AMW Rewita Rynia
59 Holiday Street
05-126 Bialobrzegi
COSTS
Free participation
The Participant's travel to and from the Event venue is at the Participant's expense.
The order of applications is decisive.
Anna Janus, director of the Tadeusz Różewicz Municipal Public Library in Wrocław
Jakub Wygnański, founder of the Klon/Jawor Association, the Stocznia Foundation, Ashoka Fellow, member of the Public Benefit Activities Council
Joanna Pommersbach, leadership coach, certified consultant in the field of leadership team effectiveness at Harvard University.
Maria Deskur, president of the Universal Reading Foundation, Ashoka Fellow, member of the Public Benefit Activities Council.
Tomasz Iwasiow, director of the Municipal Public Library in Zabrze
Vladimir Naumczyk, director of the Municipal Public Library in Mieścisko
FRIDAY, September 25, 2026
Goal of the day: Integration, introduction to the workshop topics, definition of expectations.
Program details
- 14:00–16:00 – HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
- 15:00–15:45 – LUNCH BREAK
- 16:00 – OFFICIAL WELCOME
- 16:00–16:30 – INTRODUCTION
Introducing the organizers and experts. Let's get to know each other.
> Maria Deskur
- 16:30–18:00 RELATIONSHIP LABORATORY – Let's get to know each other in action
Resilience – Collaboration – Reading: An Integration Activity - 18:00–18:15 BREAK
- 18:15–19:00 GOALS FOR SUNDAY – Let's get to know our expectations
Visualization of the goals to be achieved during the Resilience Lab - 19:00–20:00 BREAK
- 8:00 PM – DINNER TOGETHER – Let's get to know each other informally
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
Goal of the day: Building cooperation, exchanging experiences and developing social competences.
Program details
- 8:00–9:00 – BREAKFAST
- 9:00–9:10 – OPENING OF THE DAY
Introduction. Presentation of the daily schedule.
THEME #1 - 9:10–9:40 – Reading as a shelter – what does a book have to do with immunity? (tools)?
> Maria Deskur - 9:40–9:50 QUESTIONS
WORKSHOP #1
- 9:50–10:20 – IMMUNITY MODEL – Group work
What do we want to achieve, what should we do?
THEME #2 - 10:20–10:35 – What does a library have in common with an employment office? About a librarian open to the world. About stepping outside your comfort zone, or how to establish cross-silo collaboration?
> Tomasz Iwasiów
THEME #3 - 10:35 – 10:50 – The Old Lady According to Da Vinci, or the Persuasive Power of Fury of Action. How to Communicate to Achieve Goals? Effective Persuasion.
> Vladimir Naumczyk - 10:50–11:00 – QUESTIONS
WORKSHOP #2 - 11:00–11:30 – COMMUNITY LABORATORY – Group work
Can cooperation between us be formalized and become real?
Community – formalization – action: building social resilience. - 11:30–12:15 – BREAK
TOPIC #4 12:15–12:45 – Collaboration is my middle name – thinking around building a resilient civil society through collaboration. Resilience through collaboration – how to build it?
> Kuba Wygnański12:45–13:05 – QUESTIONS
WORKSHOP #3
13:05–14:00 – COOPERATION LABORATORY – Group conversation
Reading as a tool and excuse for building understanding.
Community – Collaboration – Action: Creating Social Resilience.- 14:00–15:15 – LUNCH BREAK
TOPIC #5
15:15-15:30 – The library as a meeting place: why do we need a "third place"? Why and how should we build cooperation between institutions, non-governmental organizations, and businesses?
> Anna JanusTOPIC #6
15:30–16:00 – How to Build an Effective Management Team? An Inspirational Lecture (with an Emphasis on Influence and Communication).
> Joanna Pommersbach16:00–16:15 – QUESTIONS
WORKSHOP #4
16:15–17:15 – IMMUNITY LABORATORY – Group work
Developing the mission and purpose of the local resilience team.
Resilience – mission – purpose: meaningful, bold, specific, time-bound actions.- 17:15–17:30 – CLOSING OF THE WORKING DAY
- 7:00 PM – BBQ DINNER
SUNDAY, September 27, 2026
Goal of the day: Consolidation of acquired knowledge, development of specific implementation activities and summary of joint work.
Program details
- 8:00–9:00 BREAKFAST, CHECK-OUT
- 9:00–9:10 OPENING OF THE DAY
Introduction. Presentation of the daily schedule.
TOPIC #7 - 9:10-9:25 – Reading and Social Skills Building Techniques: How to Create Social Change for All?
> Maria Deskur - 9:25–9:35 QUESTIONS
WORKSHOP #5 - 9:25–10:15 – SYSTEM LABORATORY – Group work
Stakeholder mapping and solution planning.
Community – system – resilience: concrete actions for change.
TOPIC #8 - 10:15–10:45 – Change management
>Joanna Pommersbach - 10:45–11:00 – QUESTIONS
- 11:00–11:15 – BREAK
WORKSHOP #6 - 11:15 – 13:00 – ACTION LABORATORY – Group work
Consultations with experts and work on developing and implementing specific solutions.
Resilience – Action – Community: Achieving Goals by the End of November. - 13:00–14:30 – SUMMARY
Experts present summaries of their conclusions and observations.
Each group submits one word to the word map.
TASKS: What are we agreeing to? - 15:00 CLOSING OF THE IMMUNITY LABORATORY
Continuing the team's work in the local community
Schedule
PHASE I
28.09.2026 - 8.11.2026
Refining local cooperation plans. Each team develops a plan for joint activities between institutions, which he was working on during his trip.
Molively koconsultations online with trainers and facilitators
PHASE II
28/09/2026 – 31/12/2026
realizationa minimum 1st ed.doe
outworked within the framework of project „"„Immunity Laboratory”
PHASE III
01/01/2027 – 14/01/2027
Summary and evaluation.
Collection of results and conclusions.
Analysis of the effects of team work.
Submit your participation
We invite four-person teams from 30 towns across Poland to participate in the project. We especially encourage those involved in social, educational, cultural, and community support activities. We prioritize sectoral diversity, so we ask that you maintain this diversity when forming your team (e.g., representatives from libraries, NGOs, social welfare centers, healthcare facilities, local governments, etc.).
Why the Immunity Laboratory
is this an important and necessary project?
In Poland, more and more people feel uncertain
and find it difficult to trust others. Research shows that:
Only every fifth Pole
trusts others
CBOS, 2023
Local institutions rarely
cooperate with each other, and the residents
they have a limited sense of influence
Batory Foundation, 2022
The number of people is decreasing,
who read regularly
Batory Foundation, 2022
reading develops critical thinking
and strengthens social resilience
Maryanne Wolf, 2024
Reading together and talking about the text
can strengthen dialogue, trust and cooperation in local communities.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a group consist of representatives of one institution?
No – the project requires sectoral diversity, therefore the submitted team must consist of representatives of various institutional profiles, e.g. local government, school, library, health clinic.
What if I don't have a complete team?
You can apply individually – we will help you find the remaining team members.
Can more than one group from one town register?
NO. IN The project involves one 4-person team from given havescowości.
Are there any limits to the number of participating towns?
A maximum of 30 towns and cities can participate in the workshops and the project, including a maximum of 5 cities with a population of over 200,000.
Does the project cover only cities or also smaller towns and villages?
We also cordially invite participants from smaller towns.
Can I only participate in part of the workshop?
No. The workshop is a continuous process based on the interdependencies between successive stages of work. Therefore, participation is very important. in the wholem projectcorner (warsztacie 25-27.09.2026) and in subsequent stages of the project to the horseabout a yearat.
What if I registered but can't come?
A Participant who withdraws from the Laboratory or is otherwise unable to participate must immediately inform the organizer. The Team should make every effort to identify another person who meets the criteria for participation in the Project. The Team should submit a proposed replacement to FPC within one week of FPC's notification of the Participant's withdrawal, or within two days if the Event is less than two weeks away.
Do team members need to know each other beforehand?
There's no need for that. During the trip, there will be time and space to get to know each other and work together.
How to prepare for a meeting?
Apart from the willingness to actively participate, no special preparation is required.
How to get to the event venue?
The venue can be reached by car or public transport. The nearest stop is Białobrzegi AMW Rewita, served by bus line 705, which departs from the Warsaw Metro Marymont stop.
I want to arrive by car. Will there be anywhere to park?
Yes. Free parking will be available at the hotel for participants.
Have another question?
If your question isn't answered here, please contact us at: [email protected]
Before registering, please read the REGULATIONS OF THE IMMUNITY LABORATORY. Acceptance of its terms is a necessary condition for participation in the project.
