Eleven universities across Poland, supported by the National Center for Research and Development, will implement projects under the “Accessibility Knowledge Centers” program. This initiative aims to create or expand university centers that will promote accessibility awareness, support universal design, and collaborate with the socio-economic environment to develop innovative solutions that foster integration.
The NCBR will allocate nearly PLN 47 million from the European Social Development Fund (ESDF) to implement these projects. The average funding per project exceeds PLN 4 million. Knowledge centers will be established or expanded at institutions including the Warsaw University of Technology, Sopot University of Applied Sciences, Poznań University of Economics and Business, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, and AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków.
Each center will focus on a specific area, such as architecture, digitization, health, or mobility. These centers will provide consultations, conduct analyses, educate students and employees, and support external partners—businesses, organizations, and institutions—with implementing accessible solutions.
The program builds on work from previous years—thanks to earlier EU support, nearly 200 universities have already implemented projects aimed at removing barriers to education. Now, European Funds are supporting the next steps in making the academic environment more inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse social groups.
Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School, in collaboration with the “L” Foundation, is implementing the “Accessible Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School” project. The goal is to design an accessibility system and ensure equal opportunities in academic life for SGMK students and staff with disabilities, as well as for international students.
Promoting accessibility reflects a commitment to responsibility, empathy, and the pursuit of genuine equality in access to education, space, and services.
