Wrocław Institute of Culture runs a city-wide programme supporting local grassroots initiatives, in collaboration with the Umbrella Foundation that leads the part of the programme dedicated to NGOs and youth. Under the programme, residents of Wroclaw can obtain grants to implement their own ideas for community activities.  

Launched in 2018, the programme invites individuals or groups to submit a wide variety of ideas annually, including proposals for cultural, recreational, social, educational, and arts-related activities. The most important thing is to involve the residents of Wrocław’s neighbourhoods in joint actions.  

As decentralisation is an important factor in Microgrants, events organised outside the centre of Wrocław are encouraged. The programme also fosters a network of connections among various social groups and initiatives that share common goals across Wrocław’s neighbourhoods.  

Microgrants drives sustainable and inclusive urban development by integrating environmental, economic and social dimensions.  

Environmental: The programme promotes eco-friendly practices and environmental awareness in every project. Participants are given an ecological handbook as part of the agreement, and they can borrow reusable objects.  

Economic: Unlike many grant schemes, this Microgrants programme does not require a financial contribution, eliminating economical barriers to entry. Moreover, all events organised under the programme are free of charge, making them accessible to the entire community, fostering widespread participation. 

Social: Microgrants are deeply committed to social inclusion. Open calls for projects and events are accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, or skill level, so that diverse voices and perspectives are represented, promoting a sense of community. Projects often focus on meeting the needs of marginalised groups, such as elderly people or individuals with disabilities, fostering social cohesion.  

This integrated approach sets a precedent for the sustainable, inclusive, and economically-viable urban development that is essential for creating resilient, thriving cities. 

The Microgrants programme is based on a participatory model. It supports grassroots initiatives by providing financial, administrative, and logistical assistance. Residents design and implement activities based on what they want, where, and for whom, in a way that actively engages participants as co-creators (e.g. through workshops). 

These principles are outlined in the programme regulations, and all projects are documented on a dedicated website. Funded from the city budget, the programme is implemented by the Wrocław Institute of Culture, in collaboration with the Umbrella Foundation that leads the NGO and youth projects. 

The network of cooperation has expanded with Community Activity Centres, and the creation of a list of places where residents can rent rooms for workshops free of charge. The practice also aligns with the Wrocław Participatory Budget, with applicants gaining additional points for using infrastructure created under the Budget in their projects. 

Microgrants supports 40 projects annually, with 342 projects and growing funded since 2014 addressing urban needs and fostering community development. 

Notable impacts are: 

• The creation of a more balanced cultural offer, with events organised from the city centre to the outermost neighbourhoods, making cultural activities accessible to a wider audience.  

• All events are free and focus on skill development, education, eco-awareness, digital technologies, and local history, to create an equitable cultural participation.  

• The empowerment of migrants, particularly Ukrainians, through intercultural and integrating projects, often led by migrants themselves, fostering a sense of belonging and community cohesion.  

• The programme also empowers women as local leaders of projects.  

• Many Microgrants participants new to leadership later thrive leading other grant programmes, NGOs, and socio-cultural activities, indicating the programme’s effectiveness in developing leadership skills. 

Overall, Microgrants’ holistic approach has made the programme a cornerstone of Wrocław’s community development strategy, aiming to enhance social capital and civic engagement.