Programs - Sharing Democracy Experience

Public Policy Advocacy
Democracy Research
Democracy Training in Poland
Democracy Training Abroad
Combating Corruption


Public Policy Advocacy

In 2007 IPED launched a project "Advocacy on local and regional level. Building the monitoring and consultation system on SME policy". The main aim of this project was to strengthen the role of social partners (like chambers of commerce, NGOs, foundations, entrepreneurship organizations) in the local and regional development process. Within the project we elaborated a Guidebook and specialized implementation tools of monitoring and advocacy system which could be used by social organizations. Furthermore we issued "Best Practice of Polish and European self-governments Handbook" within the scope of consultations conducted between local self-governments and social partners, which will be useful for local governments in Poland. We also established special systems implemented in the pairs of 3 self-governments and 3 social organizations. Within the project we also organized workshops for the community and municipality workers. The main aim of these meetings was to introduce the methods of including social consultations into legislation process. The results of the project were presented during the final conference. The project was co-financed by the EU within the programme "Strengthening advocacy and consultation activities" - component 2, which is a part of Transition Facility 2004 programme "Increasing social awareness and strengthening role of non-governmental organizations (NGO) in advocacy and monitoring".

In continuation of the above mentioned activities, in January 2008 the Institute launched a new EU-co-financed project on the promotion of advocacy and social dialogue. It is called "E-advocacy of social interests in the local government". Its main objective is to identify, assess and mainstream best practices on the utilization of the new means and tools of the advocacy of social interests' in the local and regional government. Special attention has been given to the use of Internet and another channels of electronic communication. The project includes an identification and analysis of best practices of the utilization of innovative technologies and channels of informing the social partners on their local communities, as well as enabling them to monitor local legislation. The project also provides for the publication of a handbook on the innovative tools of local advocacy, as well as for the organization of training workshops for the NGOs on local policies' consultation with the social partners.

IPED is affiliated with the Polish Chamber of Commerce. As a think tank, it is strongly involved in establishing laws and regulations facilitating economic growth and democracy. Our activities are both reactive and proactive in the field of public policy. Proactive operations relate to the publication of over 60 reports concerning tax systems, licensing, labour regulations, foreign trade, the SME financing and monitoring, knowledge-based industries, FDI, local economic development, public procurement, pension reform. Reports are based on company surveys and analyse their current situation, putting forward recommendations for regulatory reform. A lot of suggested proposals have already been implemented, like the ones relating to the deregulation in tax systems. This resulted in lower taxation and flat rate income tax for all companies, regardless of their legal form. Our recommendations about innovation-friendly tax systems were included in the official innovation strategy. Policy papers on the deregulation in licensing resulted in scaling down the number of business activities that require a license.

To promote its advocacy activities, IPED organises numerous briefings and conferences, whose participants are leading policy makers, members of parliament and business leaders. Such meetings are frequently followed by press conferences, that being a great way of promoting IPED's initiatives and building relationships that are necessary for direct advocacy.

IPED is responsible for the monitoring of pending legislation and representing businesses during the legislative process. Bills are sent to Committees of the Polish Chamber of Commerce to seek opinions of business circles. Afterwards IPED declares the stance and promotes it among public authorities.

IPED representatives participate in meetings organised by various state ministries in order to debate on draft laws. Other participants are representatives of public administration and social partners. This level of business promotion is the most effective one.

• evaluation of the budget and budgetary provisions,
• analysis of reasons for the lack of balance in foreign trade and a deficit in the balance of payments,
• opinions on governmental economic programmes,
• reduction of public expenditure.

Finally, some of IPED's operations refer to local authorities. These are mainly regional SME assistance programmes financed from local budgets. Effective co-operation with local government guarantees business-friendly environment for the investment and development.




Democracy Research

IPED has always been interested in Democracy Research. It carried out two major projects in this field: the Political Culture of Polish Democracy (1998) and the Legal Culture of Polish Businessmen (2000). Both projects aimed at the improvement of political culture and building democracy and a state under the rule of law. They were also designed to set standards facilitating Polish integration into the European Union. The main idea of the first project was to evaluate political culture in Poland and compare it with the EU-countries standards (Germany and the UK in particular). IPED has also presented its recommendations about improving the quality of political debates, citizen's awareness and relations between business and politics.

The project Legal Culture of Polish Businessmen illustrated the level of legal awareness among Polish business circles - to what extent business people were familiar with legal regulations, what was their attitude towards legal matters and to what extent they observed the law in daily operations of their companies. Conclusions were based on analyses of legal regulations, entrepreneur's surveys and interviews with judges. The final report, presented during a special conference, included recommendations for the improvement of legal culture in Polish companies.


Democracy Training in Poland

Democracy development training in Poland
How we do it and for whom
The IPED team has conducted numerous democracy training events in co-operation with the Polish-American Advisory Agency (PAAA). We have organised formal trainings, site visits, discussions, presentations, practical exercises and meetings with policy makers. Since 1996 we have organised about 20 democracy training events for participants from Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and other countries.

Why in Poland
Poland broadly demonstrates a success in post-communist transition. It has efficiently turned from a communist regime to democracy, establishing institutions of a real working democracy. In our opinion Poland's political transformation may constitute a role model for numerous countries. They could benefit from Poland's experience in conflict settling, arriving at compromise (round table talks), providing media freedom and real freedom of speech, direct problem approaching, advocacy for policy issues as well as in the implementation of democracy at local levels.

Addressing controversial issues
Some of our training events concern sensitive issues like women trafficking, crime prevention, freedom of press, social assistance etc. While addressing contentious or sensitive issues we always try to present various arguments on both sides so that all parties may form their own opinions. Our purpose is to show a wide range of solutions in order to let participants decide on which ideas would be most effective in their countries.

Cultural aspects
Our programmes are always accompanied by various cultural and leisure attractions, enlivened by renowned Polish hospitality. We invite our guests to National Opera or National Philharmonic Hall as well as to other culture-related places if that should be their request. While presenting Poland's democratic experience, we always respect cultural, historical and religious diversity of our guests' countries.

Economic transformation training in Poland
How we do it and for whom
The IPED team has conducted numerous democracy training events in co-operation with the Polish-American Advisory Agency (PAAA). We have organised formal trainings, site visits, discussions, presentations, practical exercises and meetings with policy makers. Since 1996 we have organised about 20 democracy training events for participants from Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and other countries.

Why in Poland
Until 1990 the Polish economy had been centrally planned and state-controlled. In 1990 Poland changed its economic direction, focusing on free market standards and social responsibility. It has now been seventeen years since the introduction of a new political and economic system, but Poland still faces major development challenges and is far from being a "paradise" country. However, a difference between the past and the present is significant and at the same time encouraging. Privatised enterprises are competitive, the small business sector is thriving, export is growing and the quality of public funds management is improving, especially at local levels. Poland has seen effective decentralisation of public finance, fast restructuring of enterprises, a rapid growth of labour productivity, pension reforms as well as the increasing purchasing power of an average salary. Taking it all into consideration, one may well conclude that Poland is an encouraging pattern to follow. Nonetheless, a fast economic growth always entails some costs, mostly social costs like unemployment, social exclusion, public debt, corruption. All those issues substitute an excellent subject matter for economic transformation trainings. Their aim is to show Poland's achievements on the one hand, but on the other hand also to warn against its mistakes.

Addressing controversial issues
Poland witnessed a new wave of economic reforms in the late 1990s. Changes in the health system, pension scheme and regional policy were introduced, arousing a number of controversies. However, they demonstrated problems of a mature economy. While addressing contentious or sensitive issues we always try to present various arguments on both sides so that all parties may form their own opinions. Our purpose is to show a wide range of solutions in order to let participants decide on which ideas would be most effective in their countries.

Cultural aspects
Our programmes are always accompanied by various cultural and leisure attractions, enlivened by renowned Polish hospitality. We invite our guests to the National Opera or National Philharmonic Hall as well as to other culture-related places if that should be their request. While presenting Poland's democratic experience, we always respect cultural, historical and religious diversity of our guests' countries.


Democracy Training Abroad

During the seventeen-year transition period Poland has succeeded in building all the necessary democratic institutions, developing a working market economy and joining the European Union. Such experience encourages other countries with the communist past to choose similar way of development. The beginnings of reforms in Poland were even more difficult than in the rest of "centrally-planned" countries, for Polish economy in 1990 was in a very bad condition, marked by high inflation, food shortages, falling manufacturing output and growing social unrest. Therefore, case studies related to economic and social policy, development of the private sector, business associations, SMEs, combating corruption and creating local strategies are much more useful to leaders of post-communist countries rather than established democracies. Our team is perfectly aware of all the mentioned phenomena and puts strong emphasis on sharing Polish experience with other countries.



Since 1995 we have been organising study tours for policy makers, experts, business people as well as representatives of public administration at local and national levels. So far there have been over 25 training programmes organised, relating to the SME development, advocacy, business networking, privatisation, public administration reforms, labour market, social policy, journalism, NGOs, women trafficking, international trade and the WTO. Each programme includes presentations by leading Polish experts, site visits and meetings with policy makers, including ministers and members of parliament. Programmes provide a blend of theory and practice, which allows participants to make wide use of Polish experience in their own countries. An important element of each programme is an action plan to be taken home after the training. After the completion of a programme, our experts are available for further questions and advice concerning the implementation of prepared plans. During study tours it is us who provide instructors and training materials, arrange additional meetings on participants' request, provide interpreting and translation service as well as accommodation.

Apart from study tours in Poland, our team has shared its know-how during training seminars in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bangladesh. The subject matter mainly related to NGOs and the business associations development, advocacy, project monitoring and the SME growth. Those trainings and study tours, conducted in co-operation with the Academy for Educational Development, the Center for International Private Enterprise and the World Learning have been based on Polish or Central European case studies selected and adjusted to current needs and interests of participants.


Combating Corruption

Corruption is one of the most important obstacles to business development in Poland and other transition economies. Therefore, the development of democratic societies and working market economies requires the development of anticorruption strategies. That is why IPED prepared the report on anticorruption strategies for Polish businesses (2001). The study was based on the conclusions from the Polish business towards corruption, a report presenting encountered corrupt practices (2000). Subsequently, the IPED team has prepared recommendations concerning the transparency of public finance. This could help limit corrupt practices during public tenders. Another suggestions have been made regarding personal responsibility for tender procedures and a weaker influence of political parties upon local authorities. IPED's initiative resulted in the signing of an anticorruption statement by over 20 enterprises. This became the main strategy of Polish businesses in combating corruption.

Since February 2006 till February 2007 IPED has realized project "Building Fair Legislation Practices - Closing Space for Corruption in Business Operations" (grant agreement no JLS/NGO/2004/058 30-CE-0043190/00-38). This project was financed under the call for proposals 2004 on "Actions in support of civil society in the Member States which acceded the European Union on 1st May 2004" by Directorate General Justice, Freedom and Security of European Commission.

In continuation of the above mentioned activities, in February 2008 the Institute launched a new EU-co-financed project "Polish entrepreneurs against corruption. The anti-corruption mechanisms in the business practice". The main objective of the project is to identify the corrupt practices, assess the direct costs of corruption to the businesses, as well as to gather and disseminate best practices of the companies to combat the corruption. The project includes an analysis of the corrupt practices in the Poland-based companies. There results thereof, together with the presentation of best anti-corruption practices, will be published by the Institute as a report.

IPED's recommendations relating to changes in public procurement policy followed earlier projects, related to public procurement in the construction industry (1995). IPED's co-operation with the construction companies - association in the field of fair business practices helped prepare the project on promotion of business ethics and business culture (1997). The following step was the "Business Fair Play" Certification Programme. It attracts over 700 companies every year, promoting corruption-free practices. The IPED team has also prepared the "Code of Business Ethics", one that has been adopted by the Polish Chamber of Commerce.

Furthermore, the Institute for Private Enterprise and Democracy is involved in the promotion of transparent practices in communities and municipalities. Our programme "Community Fair Play", first launched in 2001, focuses on ethical standards expected by investors. This helps limit possibilities of corrupt practices in communities and municipalities.

The IPED team has also provided trainings on business ethics and anticorruption strategies during its seminars for the business associations in Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan and Bosnia (2001-2004). Our employees have also participated in an international programme for combating corruption, carried out in Bangladesh. It focused on democratic governance and the role of private sector in combating corruption.

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