GREENOWACJE - Inkubator Zielonych Innowacji Społecznych

Our Goal:

Financial and expert support for 30 social innovations that effectively respond to the local impacts of climate and environmental change – through the design of practical solutions, development of action-oriented skills, and education. Grants of up to PLN 120,000 and expert guidance from idea to implementation.

GREENOWACJE project it is the first green incubator in Poland. We are looking for ideas that can be put into practice, have scaling potential, and can change the way schools, local governments, businesses, cultural institutions, or communities plan for the future in the context of climate change and environmental challenges. The areas for introducing innovations will be defined during consultations held at the Ministry of Climate and Environment. We want these innovations to support conscious, everyday choices that are environmentally friendly, improve comfort and quality of life, support health and contribute to building resilience in a world undergoing constant change. At least three of the selected ideas will be scaled up and widely promoted.

How it works?
As part of GREENOWACJI we help develop green ideas from inspiration to implementation. Participants go through four stages: recruitment, pre-incubation, incubation, and dissemination. We teach how to create solutions tailored to real needs, assist in building and testing prototypes, and support the most promising projects in their further development and popularization.

What do we offer?
Participants receive non-repayable grants of up to 120,000 PLN, comprehensive expert support, and access to a program that develops competencies in innovation, climate protection, and environmental sustainability. We provide access to specialized workshops, assistance in building prototypes, and opportunities for wide dissemination of the most valuable ideas.

For whom?
We invite teams of at least two people from diverse backgrounds — education, science, business, social organizations, and local governments. We are looking for individuals who recognize the challenges posed by climate change and the need to adapt to its consequences, and who have the courage to implement new solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities.

Financing
The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund Plus and the national budget. Eligible expenses: PLN 5,985,523.50.

We understand green innovations as new and smart approaches to development that combine environmental responsibility with concrete solutions supporting local resilience — social, environmental, and economic. These are actions aligned with the idea of a just transition, strengthening residents’ sense of agency, and ensuring better quality of life and health. By utilizing systems design tools, data analysis, and participatory methods, the project supports cities, municipalities, and rural areas in building policies based on knowledge, collaboration, and long-term thinking about the future.

The project responds to the need to create cities and municipalities capable of addressing climate challenges in a coherent, sustainable, and innovative way. It will develop specific tools and solutions in areas such as smart city technologies, green infrastructure management, water retention, spatial planning, health prevention and protection, climate-friendly culture and arts, as well as environmental and climate education.

Partnerzy projektu: