Discover the Heart of Małopolska

Welcome to Fundacja Małopolskie Szlaki — a foundation devoted to protecting, promoting, and celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of the Małopolska region.
We believe that every trail tells a story: of people, landscapes, traditions, and history that have shaped this beautiful part of Poland. Our mission is to make these stories accessible to everyone — hikers, cyclists, families, and explorers — through sustainable and inspiring experiences.

Małopolska is one of Poland’s most diverse regions — where mountain paths meet medieval towns, wooden churches rise among forests, and centuries-old customs live on in local communities.
Our foundation works to preserve this richness by maintaining trail networks, supporting local initiatives, and educating both residents and visitors about responsible tourism.

Our Vision

We envision a Małopolska where every trail — from the Beskid peaks to the Dunajec River valleys — connects not only places, but people.
We aim to strengthen community bonds, promote eco-friendly travel, and ensure that our region’s natural beauty and heritage remain for future generations.

Information

The Małopolskie Szlaki Foundation has been working to promote tourism and sport for several years. Its primary goal is to activate society and encourage physical activity, and its core activity involves organizing sporting events.

🌿 What We Do

At Fundacja Małopolskie Szlaki, our work revolves around one goal:
to protect, promote, and connect the natural and cultural heritage of the Małopolska region through its extensive network of trails and community initiatives.

We believe that trails are more than just paths — they are living connections between people, history, and nature.
Here’s how we bring this vision to life 👇

🗺️ 1. Trail Development & Preservation

We work to keep Małopolska’s trail network — from mountain routes to river paths and cultural corridors — safe, accessible, and sustainable.

Our activities include:

  • Mapping and digitalizing hiking, cycling, and heritage trails across the region

  • Coordinating maintenance and clean-up initiatives with local volunteers and municipalities

  • Promoting responsible trail use and environmental protection

  • Developing new thematic routes (e.g. cultural heritage trails, eco-routes, or culinary paths)

  • Installing educational boards, wayfinding signs, and information points for visitors

By maintaining these routes, we ensure that both locals and travelers can experience the region’s beauty without harming its environment.

🏛️ 2. Cultural & Educational Initiatives

Małopolska is a land rich in history, art, and tradition — and we are passionate about keeping this heritage alive.

Our foundation organizes and supports:

  • Workshops and exhibitions on local crafts, folklore, and architecture

  • Educational programs for children, schools, and tourists about ecology, regional identity, and cultural awareness

  • Storytelling projects that document local legends, customs, and oral histories

  • Collaborations with museums, artists, and researchers to showcase Małopolska’s living heritage

We aim to foster pride and understanding of the region’s roots — ensuring that every generation can appreciate the traditions that make Małopolska unique.

🤝 3. Local Partnerships & Sustainable Tourism

We believe real change happens when communities work together.
That’s why we build partnerships with local authorities, NGOs, schools, and tourism operators to promote sustainable development and regional cooperation.

Our efforts include:

  • Supporting eco-friendly tourism projects and small local businesses

  • Providing training and resources for guides, educators, and community leaders

  • Partnering with EU and regional programs to fund and expand sustainable initiatives

  • Encouraging visitors to choose responsible travel options that benefit both people and the planet

Through these collaborations, we help strengthen the economic and social fabric of Małopolska while preserving its natural balance.

🌍 4. Innovation & Digital Heritage

We embrace modern tools to make the region’s treasures more accessible.
Our projects often include:

  • Interactive digital maps of Małopolska’s trails and landmarks

  • Online educational materials and virtual tours

  • Research and data collection on trail usage and environmental impact

  • Integration of new technologies to support eco-tourism and heritage promotion

By combining tradition with innovation, we make Małopolska’s beauty visible to the world — and easier to explore responsibly.

❤️ Our Impact

Through our projects, we have:

  • Restored and improved local trail infrastructure

  • Engaged hundreds of volunteers and students in environmental education

  • Supported local craftspeople and sustainable tourism initiatives

  • Increased awareness of cultural and ecological values in the Małopolska region

Every action — from planting a tree to restoring a historic path — brings us closer to our mission:
connecting people and places through shared respect for nature and heritage.

🎯 Our Mission

Connecting People, Nature, and Heritage

At Fundacja Małopolskie Szlaki, our mission is to protect, promote, and connect the natural, cultural, and historical treasures of the Małopolska region — ensuring they remain a source of inspiration, pride, and sustainable growth for generations to come.

We believe that trails are more than just paths — they are lifelines that link people with their roots, communities with each other, and travelers with the stories and landscapes that make Małopolska unique.
Our goal is to keep these connections strong through education, cooperation, and responsible development.

🌿 Our Core Values

Our mission is guided by five core principles that define everything we do:

  1. Sustainability – We act with respect for the environment, promoting practices that protect nature while allowing people to enjoy it responsibly.

  2. Community – We work hand in hand with local residents, volunteers, and organizations, empowering them to be guardians of their land and culture.

  3. Education – We believe knowledge inspires action. By teaching about ecology, history, and local identity, we nurture future generations of responsible travelers and citizens.

  4. Heritage – We preserve and share the traditions, crafts, and stories that make Małopolska’s identity so rich and distinctive.

  5. Innovation – We combine traditional wisdom with modern technology to create new ways of experiencing and protecting our region.

Foundation

The Małopolskie Szlaki Foundation was established on September 23, 2020. The Foundation operates under the Act of April 6, 1984 on Foundations (Journal of Laws of 1991, No. 46, item 203) and other regulations regarding foundations. The Foundation also operates under the Act of April 24, 2003 on Public Benefit and Volunteer Work (Journal of Laws No. 96, item 873, as amended) and other regulations regarding public benefit organizations.

The main goal of the Foundation is to promote social and professional integration and reintegration.

The Foundation's goals include:

1) Supporting and promoting physical culture, tourism and local history.

2) Promotion of Polish tourism.

3) Supporting, developing and creating new tourist attractions and tourist products.

4) Supporting, developing and promoting: tourism, sports, physical culture and any physical activity aimed at improving physical fitness and health.

5) Supporting social and local groups in organizing meetings aimed at their integration, improvement of physical condition and intellectual development

Help Us Keep the Trails Alive

At Małopolska Trails Foundation, we are dedicated to preserving, developing, and promoting the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Małopolska region through sustainable trail networks.
Your support helps us maintain scenic routes, protect the environment, and inspire more people to explore responsibly.

How You Can Support

🚶‍♀️ Donate
Every contribution helps us repair trails, install signs, clean natural areas, and organize eco-friendly outdoor events.
Account Number: [Insert your foundation’s account number here]
Payment Description: “For Małopolska Trails Foundation projects”

🌲 Volunteer
Join our community of nature lovers! Help us with trail maintenance, local clean-up initiatives, or outdoor education programs. Together, we can make Małopolska greener and more accessible.

🤝 Partner With Us
We collaborate with local governments, tourism organizations, and businesses to create sustainable outdoor experiences. Become a partner and help us expand the reach of our work.

Why Your Support Matters

Your involvement allows us to:

  • Preserve natural landscapes and biodiversity

  • Promote eco-tourism and healthy outdoor lifestyles

  • Educate communities about environmental responsibility

  • Connect people with nature and culture through well-marked trails

Contact Us

Have questions or want to get involved?
📧 Email: kontakt@fundacja-szlaki.org

Support us

Documents

Resolution or decision approving the annual financial statements 2021

Resolution or decision approving the annual financial statements 2022

Resolution or decision approving the annual financial statements 2023

Proxies

Consolidated text of statute