About us

The main objective of the Foundation is to support activities for international cooperation in development activities, prevention of social exclusion, raising civic awareness and knowledge, entrepreneurial attitudes and bringing the peoples and countries of Central, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus closer together. These objectives are fulfilled, in particular, through the implementation of foreign aid programmes for development, international cooperation for the promotion of democracy and the market economy, education, science, culture, information exchange, environmental and health protection, social and humanitarian aid, with particular emphasis on the region of Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus; activities to equalise opportunities for groups that are vulnerable or at risk of social exclusion; supporting and organising courses, training, seminars, thematic workshops; organising and conducting consultancy and advisory services within the framework of development aid and stable growth of partner organisations, etc. The East Foundation was established in April 2009 and started its operational activities in January 2010, implementing development, educational and humanitarian aid projects.

Between 2010 and 2023, the East Foundation implemented 18 development projects in Moldova (in over 100 villages in 30 regions) funded by the Polish Aid programme. Between 2011 and 2016, the Foundation implemented a multi-year programme for sustainable development of Braviceni villages in the areas of entrepreneurship development, rural infrastructure, social assistance and support for local culture. The experience of the implementation of this programme was used by the Ministry of Agriculture to prepare the assumptions of the EU ENPARD agricultural support programme in Moldova for 2014-2020. In the period 2011-2019, more than a dozen model agricultural service establishments were successfully created, whose activities had not only a significant local but also a national impact.  For example, thanks to the popularisation of an innovative method of freezing cheese paste, it has been possible to completely eliminate seasonal restrictions on the purchase of milk throughout the country. The popularisation of various types of fruit dryers reduced the loss of raw materials and allowed for the dynamic development of the next export niche. There were virtually no modern refrigeration services in Moldova. In recent years, several modern cold storage and fruit sorting facilities have been built as projects, which not only improved the profitability of crops, but with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture's subsidy system, contributed to a rapid multiplication (also benefiting Polish companies constructing such facilities and exporting equipment). In 2023 the East Foundation completed the final stage of the project 'Supporting the Comprehensive Development of Beekeeping in Moldova', which envisaged the development of the sector for the production, processing and sale (domestically and for export) of honey. Despite the difficulties associated with COVID19 and the war in neighbouring Ukraine, large modern centres for honey processing and sales, training and counselling, and beekeeper supply have been established. 

Team

Mirosław Matreńczyk

Project coordinator

Over 30 years of experience in NGO sector and running own business. Between 2008 and 2022, direct participation in the implementation of 23 development projects within the framework of the MFA Polish Aid programme. Years 1991-2009: Coordination of development assistance, social assistance and support of organizational development of partners in Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. Support for the establishment of aid NGOs in Southern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria, Albania), Eastern Europe (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova), the Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia) and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan) during the political transformation period. Since 2009, Chairman of the Board of the East Foundation. Since 1990, Vice-President of the Management Board of ORTHDRUK Ltd.
Completed courses in organisational development and project management (conducted by reputable institutions in G. Britain - Cambridge and London, Switzerland - Geneva, Germany and the Netherlands).

Grażyna Nazaruk

Assistant project coordinator

Over 25 years of experience in NGO sector and running her own business. Participated in the implementation of development projects in 10 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and in 17 development projects between 2011 and 2022 as part of the Polish Aid programme.

Bogusława Nazaruk

Project accounting service

Logistikon Finance and Accounting Office: 18 years of experience in servicing commercial companies and NGOs (experience in accounting for 17 development projects Poland Aid). Tasks: maintenance of the project's current financial documentation and preparation of the final financial report in accordance with Polish accounting rules and MFA requirements.