The My Digital Life project, run by the Information Society Development Foundation (ISDF), opens up new career paths for participants in a rapidly changing world of technology. We offer training and support to help people find their feet in the labour market and acquire key digital skills.
2020-2022
In the first phase of the My Digital Life project, supported by Microsoft as part of the Microsoft Philanthropies initiative, we focused on helping school pupils, university students, teachers and staff through the digital transformation process. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about sudden changes in the labour market – many people switched to remote working and had to adapt quickly to the new reality. Skills related to working online became crucial: task and process management, team building, communication and data security. The project addressed these challenges by offering training and courses that helped participants adapt to their new professional reality.
2022-2024
In the second phase of the My Digital Life project, carried out with the support of Microsoft as part of the Microsoft Philanthropies initiative, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we focused on helping Ukrainian refugees seeking employment in Poland. We organised face-to-face courses and workshops tailored to the needs of women wishing to find work in line with their skills and experience.
We ran six face-to-face courses, attended by over 100 people in total. The courses covered:
- identifying strengths and key skills,
- CVs and LinkedIn profiles designed to catch the attention of recruiters or employers, how to utilise their qualifications and talents when working in Poland,
- presenting oneself at a job interview.
In addition, participants most in need were able to borrow or receive computer equipment as a donation.
Participants were also given access to the LinkedIn Learn platform and received ongoing support from career advisers and mentors involved in the project. They helped with preparations for recruitment processes. Each group also took part in a Polish language course comprising 60 teaching hours (30 sessions).
In collaboration with the Bielany Entrepreneurs’ Integrator, we also supported people from Ukraine and Belarus who were interested in setting up their own businesses in Poland. The programme included training courses, workshops and consultations designed to help participants adapt to the Polish legal and business systems. We ran five face-to-face courses, attended by a total of around 100 people.
During the workshops and mentoring sessions, participants refined their business ideas, analysed various business models to select the one best suited to them, learnt about different types of business and the associated tax issues, and received support with marketing and sales strategies and building customer relationships.
We also established a partnership with Upwardly Global, an American organisation specialising in helping migrants enter the labour market. Together, we offered participants, amongst other things, access to recruitment tools, career guidance and professional support in career development. We trained over 1,400 people, of whom more than 500 found work.
More information: https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/for-ukrainians/poland/
In 2024, we also received a grant from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to implement the project “Your Business in Poland – a mentoring programme”. We carried out the project in collaboration with the InMarket Foundation and the Bielany Entrepreneurs’ Integrator in Warsaw.
The aim of the project was to develop the skills necessary to set up and run a business in Poland. The target group consisted of Ukrainian citizens who had arrived in Poland after 24 February 2022 and who were planning to set up their own business here. To take part in the course, participants had to have a well-developed business idea and not already have a company registered in Poland.
The programme consisted of three two-day (16-hour) intensive in-person training sessions, known as bootcamps – held in Gdynia, Wrocław and Kraków. Each bootcamp took the form of engaging workshops, during which participants refined their business ideas, examined various business models to select the one best suited to them, learnt about different types of business and the associated tax issues, and received support on marketing and sales strategies and building relationships with customers in Poland. Following the two-day training, participants took part in online group and individual mentoring sessions (a total of 8 hours of group mentoring and 1 hour of individual mentoring) over a two-week period following the end of each bootcamp. All sessions were conducted in both Polish and Ukrainian.
The topics covered in each bootcamp included the following modules:
- Defining a business idea: supporting participants in clearly defining and formulating a business idea tailored to the Polish market
- Creating a business model: using Osterwalder’s Business Model as a tool to structure strategy and resources
- Financial planning: estimating projected taxes, familiarising participants with the legal aspects of setting up a business, and selecting the most suitable tax regime
- Marketing: a strategic approach to marketing and promoting a business in Poland with a view to attracting customers.
A total of 114 people completed the course.
The project evaluation confirmed that the target indicator had been achieved – at least 80 per cent of programme participants increased their knowledge and developed their skills. The impact of the training on participants’ business plans was also assessed – after completing the bootcamp, 98 per cent of participants refined their business idea, and 91.5 per cent declared their intention to set up a business in Poland.
The course was rated ‘very good’ by 88.7 per cent of participants across all three groups, and ‘good’ by 11.3 per cent. As many as 86.2 per cent of graduates would definitely recommend it to their friends. After six months, over 50 per cent of programme participants had set up their own businesses.
Artificial Intelligence
In 2024, we launched a series of training courses on generative artificial intelligence and AI tools designed to support educators in their work. We organised webinars and workshops covering various aspects of AI – ranging from an overview of the most popular tools to assist with, amongst other things, setting homework, to solutions that boost personal productivity. Over 540 administrative staff and more than 520 members of the teaching staff at the University of Warsaw took part in the training sessions.
For teachers, we developed lesson plans utilising artificial intelligence across various topics covered during form-time lessons.
Another series of webinars focused on the use of artificial intelligence in the job-seeking process – from creating a CV and a LinkedIn profile, through tailoring application documents to job vacancies, right through to practising answers to recruitment questions.
In addition, we have published a series of articles and educational materials on the practical applications of AI, aimed at a wide audience, including non-governmental organisations.
My Digital Life today
In 2025, the My Digital Life project, implemented with the support of Microsoft as part of the AI National Skills educational initiative, is expanding its mission. Its aim is to raise awareness and build competence in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) amongst socially engaged individuals and activists, such as members of the Polish Scouting Association, the Volunteer Fire Brigade and Rural Housewives’ Clubs.
We focus on providing practical tools and knowledge that will enable community organisations to effectively implement AI in their day-to-day work. The wide availability of online materials and the flexible format for participating in My Digital Life are designed to democratise access to modern technologies and remove barriers to the use of AI in the social sector.
Our partnership with Upwardly Global has been extended until June 2026, enabling us to continue our efforts to support the labour market integration of people from Ukraine.
Since 2021, we have also been running the My Digital Life Programme, funded by Microsoft, locally in two municipalities near Warsaw: Raszyn and Ożarów Mazowiecki. There, we carry out educational activities including training in broadly defined digital skills, as well as initiatives to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable development.
We also support institutions and organisations by purchasing modern digital equipment, increasing access to technology and facilitating effective digital transformation. Our activities are aimed at schools, nurseries, libraries, community centres and non-governmental organisations. Furthermore, we carry out initiatives to integrate local residents into the labour market, helping them to participate actively in working life.
To date, around 30 institutions and organisations have benefited from the programme, taking part in training courses and workshops, whilst 15 of them have received digital equipment. Over 2,500 people have already taken part in the training courses, including teachers, educators, pupils, pre-school children and parents.