On Thursday, the 19th of March, the official awards ceremony took place in the Aula of the Faculty of Physics, at the Warsaw University of Technology—one of the most representative locations of Polish science—to present the awards for the EDUinspiracje, EDUinspirator and EDUinspiracje Media competitions, as well as the European Language Label (ELL) and EITA distinctions.

This annual event, organised by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), brought together representatives of academia, public administration, European institutions, and educators from across Poland.

Among the guests gathered in the Aula of the Faculty of Physics were, among others: Paulina Piechna‑Więckiewicz, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of National Education; Karolina Zioło‑Pużuk, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of of Science and Higher Education; dr Katarzyna Smyk, Director of the Representation of the European Commission in Poland; Dominika Tadla, the Deputi Director of the Department of European Social Fund at Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy; as well as members of the FRSE Council, competition jury members, including the Rector of the University of Wrocław, prof. Robert Olkiewicz, and the Wrocław University’s Vice-Rector, dr hab. Patrycja Matusz, prof. UWr.

The ceremony was opened by Mirosław Marczewski, Director General of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), who highlighted the importance of cooperation and interdisciplinarity in today’s education in his speech. He referred to the visit of Nobel Prize laureate M. Stanley Whittingham, who in the same aula had pointed out that major discoveries are made possible by courage and the exchange of experience. Mirosław Marczewski added that these values particularly distinguish this year’s nominees—“Passion and curiosity about the world set all our award winners apart. Today’s gala celebrates people who believe that education is a space for real social change,” — he highlighted.

The Director General of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE) also noted that 2025 was an exceptional year for Polish education due to Poland’s Presidency Council of the European Union. As he pointed out, this experience demonstrated the growing role of Polish schools, universities and experts in the European debate on the future of education. On this occasion, for the first time was awarded the EDUinspiracje – Polish Presidency Council of the European Union.

The Best of the Best – EDUinspiracje 2025 Award Winners

The competition part of the gala began with the presentation of the EDUinspiracje statuettes, one of the most prestigious distinctions in the field of international education in Poland. The jury assessed the projects based on their innovativeness, social value, impact on competence development, and the potential for long-term impact.

In the “Digital Skills” category, the Enabler Foundation was awarded for a project using artificial intelligence to support young people with cognitive disabilities. The “Autism Integration” initiative was recognised for its approach that combines technology with the comprehension of social needs.

In the field of environmental education, Primary School No. 7 in Wołomin won with the project “Ecogames in My Curriculum”, in which environmental education was embedded in the world of games and project activities.

The Lodz University of Technology received the award for promoting equal opportunities. The project “Virtual Reality for Anxiety and Mental Stress Reduction in University Students” demonstrated how the new technologies can support students’ mental wellbeing and respond to the real challenges faced by today’s young people.

In the social activities category, the Dialogue Supporting Foundation “Let’s talk” was recognised for the “Democracy Dialogues” initiative, which promotes a culture of dialogue, civic responsibility and the development of social competences.

The award for Synergy for Education was presented to the GAP Foundation (Foundation of Public Economy and Administration)/NAUSIKA Educational Foundation for the project “Larp for Climate” in which an educational game-based method served as a tool for raising climate awareness and engaging young people in issues relating to environmental change.

Special Award and Individual Leaders in Education

For the first time, this year’s gala included the presentation of the EDUinspiracje – Polish Presidency Council of the European Union distinction. The award winner has become dr hab. Patrycja Matusz, prof. UWr and Vice-Rector for Internationalisation of Uniwersity of Wrocław, who has been actively involved for years in the development of international cooperation and European educational projects.

In the EDUinspirator competition, dedicated to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of international education, the award was presented to dr hab. inż. Dorota Piotrowska of the Lodz University of Technology. 

The Young EDUinspirator award in the “Student” category went to Katarzyna Szwaj, a member of the EuroPeers Polska network, who actively promotes the Erasmus+ programme and initiatives under the European Solidarity Corps among youngsters. 

Media, Innovation and Languages – Further Distinctions

Awards were also presented during the gala in the EDUinspiracje Media competition, which promotes creators popularising educational programmes. Among the awarded works were feature reports, podcasts and video materials, and the winners were: Aneta Zabłocka („My Company”), Anita Czupryn (IP.PL), Hanna Kość (Radio Akadera) oraz Katarzyna Bochniak. 

The programme of the gala also included the (European Innovative Teaching Award – EITA), a prestigious distinction presented by the European Commission. Four institutions were recognised: Primary School No. 41 in Bydgoszcz, School Complex No. 1 in Kwidzyn, the FRAME Foundation, and Primary School No. 36 in Rybnik. The EITA award highlights the role of Polish schools and organisations in creating a space for education based on democracy, cooperation and the development of civic competences—values that are central to the European Education Area.

An Evening Full of Inspiration

The Gala EDUinspiracje 2025 once again demonstrated the huge potential of people who see education as a space for creating meaningful social change. The presented projects prove that even the most ambitious ideas can become a reality when supported by courage, strong partnerships, and concern for future generations.

The Foundation for the Development of the Education System emphasises that thanks to such initiatives, education in Poland not only gains new meaning but also becomes an important part of the European Education Area. The award winners honoured during the gala join the group of those who are making a real impact on the development of their communities while also strengthening Poland’s position on the map of educational innovation.

This year’s gala was not only a celebration of achievements but also an inspiration for further actions. The Foundation for the Development of the Education System announces that it will continue to support projects that create new opportunities, build meaningful partnerships, and demonstrate that well-designed education has the power to shape the future of entire communities.

Dr hab. Patrycja Matusz, prof. UWr and Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, has been consistently developing for many years the Wrocław University’s internationalisation strategy, strengthening its position in the European and global academic community.

Her work activities include: developing strategic partnerships with foreign universities, supporting the mobility of students and staff (including within the Erasmus+ programme), expanding the educational offer in foreign languages, international research, and participating in international project partnerships. She actively supports initiatives aligned with European priorities, including cooperation within the European Universities Alliances. Her work activity contributes to strengthening the role of Polish universities in the debate on the future of higher education in Europe.

The EDUinspiracje Award presented to the Presidency highlights not only the effectiveness of the actions undertaken, but also the vision and consistency demonstrated in building an open, diverse and responsible university. The award winner represents a model of leadership who combines academic expertise with effective management and the ability to build international relationships based on partnership and mutual trust.

The distinction is a recognition of her contribution to the development of the European dimension of education and to strengthening the international position of Polish universities.

It is worth noting that in January dr hab. Patrycja Matusz received the award in the category:Management Star  during the gala of the conference “Studenci zagraniczni w Polsce 2026”, organised jointly by Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP), the Jagiellonian University and the Education Foundation PERSPEKTYWY as part of the “Study in Poland” project.

Read also about the University of Wrocław’s membership in the Coimbra Group and about the Forum of European University Alliances at the University of Wrocław.

Translated by Oleksandra Humeniuk (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.

Date of publication: 19.03.2026

Added by: EJK