Tomasz and Barbara Sadowscy, the founders of Barka Foundation for Mutual Help in Poland, were awarded the 7th BNP PARIBAS WEALTH MANAGEMENT PRIZE FOR INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPY HONOURS. ‘The Jury’s Special Prize was awarded for their social integration work and promotion of Barka social franchise model in Poland and abroad. The Barka Foundation for Mutual Help empowers and reintegrates socially marginalised groups through education, training, entrepreneurship and housing programmes.

The Barka Foundation is a non-governmental organization, its purpose is social development of marginalized groups, giving them a chance rebuild their lives by creating a program of mutual assistance, education, entrepreneurship development in civil society and in particular in the new accession countries and the countries which have been regaining independance. In 1989, Tomasz and Barbara Sadowscy, two psychologists set up the first Barka community, using the derelict school building in Wladyslawowo (in the West of Poznan). This first community gave a home for 25 “life wrecked”” individuals, who were living together with the Sadowski’s family. Wladyslawowo became the spring-board for the continuing mutual-help movement, engaging not only the people in need but also informal groups and non-governmental organizations in Poland and abroad.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management Special Prize for Tomasz i Barbara Sadowski

BNP Paribas Wealth Management Special Prize for Tomasz i Barbara Sadowski

Barka UK was established in 2007. It’s Reconnection model provides voluntary and assisted return for Central and Eastern European (CEE) migrants to their country of origin. The Reconnection Project as a social franchise has been successfully duplicated and adapted to tackle homelessness among CEE migrant groups in Holland, Ireland, Germany and Belgium. The model of a leader-assistant team is gaining prominence in Poland as well.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management was the first private banking institution to provide its clients with a comprehensive philanthropy advisory offering through the Fondation de l’Orangerie and bespoke advice. In 2008, BNP Paribas Wealth Management set up an advisory service to assist clients in their philanthropic endeavours. In order to raise general awareness of the growing global phenomenon of philanthropic giving, the bank launched that same year the BNP Paribas Wealth Management Prize for Individual Philanthropy. On 17th June 2014 the Grand Prix and the Jury’s Special Prize, which recognise outstanding initiatives by remarkable philanthropists, are awarded for the seventh consecutive year.

About BNP Paribas Wealth Management

BNP Paribas Wealth Management is the world’s 5th largest private bank, present in some 30 countries. Over 6,300 professionals, based in every major financial centre, provide a private investor clientele with solutions for optimising and managing their assets. The bank has €295 billion worth of assets under management (as at end March 2014).

More: link

Press contact:

Julie Beuter : +33 1 57 43 06 63 – julie.beuter@bnpparibas.com
Follow us on Twitter : @BNPParibas_pr

Download:
aboutwinners2014.pdf