Recently, I looked into the report from the February’s Foundation Board meeting. We planned in detail a very promising year there - with a record number of projects and visitors. We even complained a bit that a very busy period is appearing on the horizon while we were hoping to slow down after the jubilee year.
Now, just a few weeks later, this report is read like a document from a distant, alien world. Instead of planning how to use resources most efficiently so that our team is not overloaded with managing a large number of projects, we are thinking about how to save the Foundation from imminent collapse.
Between March and June, 69 multi-day projects were to take place in Krzyżowa, in which nearly 3,000 people were to participate. Mostly they were Polish-German school exchanges. All these meetings had to be canceled in consequence of a coronovirus pandemic.
It's very strange feeling to visit the abandoned, unnaturally quiet rooms of the foundation. Usually at this time of year, groups of young people ran around the courtyard, all day the guests took part in the sightseeing or you could meet them speaking different languages in the restaurant "U Hrabiego".
Of course, the suspension of educational activities has financial consequences for Krzyżowa. The Foundation's income for this period is almost completely lost, and monthly fixed costs can be reduced only partially. If we do not receive exceptional, additional help, it is not difficult to guess what the outcome of this situation will be soon.
Due to a pandemic, the last few weeks have been spent by the Foundation Board seeking funds to alleviate the coming crisis. Supported by the Supervisory Board, managers and department managers and many employees, on the one hand, we introduced radical cost reduction measures (including reducing the salaries of the entire team), and on the other hand - we directed requests and support proposals to our Friends and Partners, we conducted negotiations and developed ideas for virtual projects for the pandemic period. It is to be hoped that these efforts will bear fruit.
At present, we are still worried about the future, although we do not lose hope. The challenges are enormous, but the Foundation has already experienced very serious crises in its history and has always found a way out. It is a champion in the struggle for survival, it has wonderful, dedicated and creative employees, loyal partners and generous followers. Together we can do it!
Despite the very difficult situation - we are of good cheer. We not only focus on surviving the crisis, but we are already preparing for the time that will follow. We do not yet know what the reality will look like after the virus, but we are afraid that it will not be a particularly beautiful world. Pandemic trauma and economic recession can fuel political populism and national egotism, the crisis of the European Union may deepen significantly, and funding for international projects may become significantly reduced. In this regard, the end of a pandemic does not mean the end of major challenges for the Foundation. We must be prepared for this.
But as we all know, the crisis can also be a chance for a new opening. Questioning what is taken for granted, seeking new ways, eliminating the weaknesses revealed by the crisis. We hope you will accompany us along this path.
And so that we can go so far tomorrow, we ask for your support today. On our website you will find information on how you can support the missionary activities of the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe.
Dr Robert Żurek – Member of the Management Board the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe
