We are ending 2025 at the Culture Shock Foundation with optimism. We feel that we are on the right track – we consistently pursue our mission and strategic goals, paying attention to the well-being of the team and the organization itself. This year has brought many positive changes and our efforts have begun to yield visible results. What happened? We discuss it below.
This year was especially rich in support for NGOs and the cultural sector in fostering resilient, modern organizations. We help develop a positive work culture, mental well-being and digital skills of individuals and teams. Our mission is to bring about a qualitative change in NGOs and GLAMs, as well as to strengthen their employees – especially women.
We keep supporting NGOs and the cultural sector
For years, we have conducted research and specific activities regarding burnout in non-governmental organizations. We do this on many levels: individual, organizational, and systemic. This was also the case this year: our CEO, Paulina Jędrzejewska, initiated the Lead N'GO group, aiming to empower the leaders of Polish non-governmental organizations. This group creates a space for reflection, the exchange of experiences, and the search for solutions among leaders. Over the past year, we have already held six meetings!
In addition, we conducted several dozen individual coaching sessions with leaders of institutions and NGOs, as well as workshops supporting teams of ten organizations and institutions such as the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Atalaya Foundation, and the Kolberg Academy. Together with the Old Town Cultural Center, we have carried out an innovative coaching program called Culture Compass for artists and freelancers, focusing on professional development, new technologies, and real-world challenges in arts and culture.
Thanks to the grant from the donor organization Porticus, we could launch the pilot Mokuteki program for those supporting civil society in Ukraine, which strengthens their coaching skills with leaders of human rights organizations. On the other hand, thanks to the funding from the OSF (Open Society Foundation), we are now in the second year of developing and strengthening the Oxygen Consortium – an international agreement of human rights and civil society organizations.
We share knowledge and promote a healthy work culture
We also become more and more visible in Poland and abroad.
In June, as one of the exhibitors in the Community zone, we participated in Women in Tech - an international event for women in technology, science, and innovation, which allowed us to increase our visibility among businesses, organizations, and institutions.
Shortly after, we took part in the three-day workshop "Empowering Voices: Citizens’ Role in Shaping Ukraine's Future" organized by the ERSTE Foundation in Vienna. This international meeting of individuals associated with human rights organizations focused on the future of Ukraine. We talked about how to support its reconstruction and how to help while caring for the well-being of NGO employees.
In the autumn, during the "Strong Organizations – Resilient Society" conference organized by the National Freedom Institute – Centre for Civil Society Development, Paulina Jędrzejewska participated in the discussion panel titled "Mental Resilience. How can you take care of yourself when you support others?” about burnout, well-being, and activism.
We are concluding the year with an in-depth description of our original Relational Burnout Model, co-created with Agata Gieryn, a psychologist and certified psychotherapist who works with us. We plan to publish it next year.
We create innovative digital products
At the Culture Shock Foundation, we have been experimenting with new technologies from the beginning while taking a critical look at them. Based on the experience gathered over the years, we have built a strong development team led by Sylwia Żółkiewska, PhD – Head of Digital Solutions & Strategies at our Foundation. Thanks to Patrycja Żołędowska (an experienced UX/UI designer), Maciej Turczyniak (a full-stack developer), as well as our testers and the support of the entire team of our foundation, we have designed and published a completely new version of the Burnout Aid portal, which you are currently having in front of you. We have made the graphic design more neurodiversity-friendly, increased accessibility, and added new functionalities.
In early December, we conducted beta tests (involving users) of our original REFLOW tool, designed to help assess burnout risk levels and spot the first signs of overload. Our testers describe it as "pleasant", "safe", and "reflective" – the questions themselves are thought-provoking: they make you look at yourself and your professional environment. One of the first users put it this way: "This fantastic tool has been working on me since yesterday. If this is the case at the testing and examination stage, I can't imagine what comes next!".
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We enhance the resilience of the Culture Shock Foundation
At the same time, we are enhancing the resilience of our organization in many fields. Above all, we have developed a paid offer, enabling us to diversify our income and ensure stability between grants. The lack of stable funding was something that significantly contributed to our burnout in previous years and disrupted our smooth functioning. Karolina Pluta – a performer, certified mediator, and coach – is responsible for its development.
This year, it was vital for us to further refine internal procedures and standards that facilitate decision-making and the efficient recruitment and onboarding of (co-)employees. Systemic and process-oriented thinking about the entire organization and its structure allows us to grow in a thoughtful and sustainable way while improving the quality of our work, initiatives, services, and products.
The tool that allowed us to better align the expectations and needs of people working with us with the needs of the organization itself is our Growth Card. It enables you to spot the challenges and overloads of the team at an early stage and take remedial measures. It is also a way to appreciate everyone's contribution to the development of our Foundation, as well as to lead the team with greater understanding and transparency.
Undoubtedly, the most touching moment of this year for us was the 15th anniversary of our foundation, which we celebrated on October 21, 2025, with our staff, collaborators, and partner organizations.
Plans for 2026
We intend to further develop the Burnout Aid portal – more content will appear: articles, videos, checklists, and useful documents. In January, we will release a free plan of the REFLOW tool (sign up for our newsletter).
We are also planning a series of webinars revealing the behind-the-scenes of our work. Additionally, we want to tell you more about our standards, procedures, processes, and tools such as the Growth Card we mentioned earlier.
Beyond that, we are preparing a few more surprises which we will share in the new year. In the meantime, we wish you rest, smaller and bigger pleasures, good energy, health, peace, and everything you desire!
