In a recent interview with the Poland Press Agency, WOŚP founder Jerzy Owsiak announced a shift to a new operating style, giving more decision‑making power to the organization’s team.
Jerzy Owsiak on WOŚP’s New Role
Owsiak told PAP that WOŚP is “shifting to a new way of working” with the goal of empowering the team and delegating decision‑making. He said the foundation is mature and the 70 employees can manage themselves, so he will step back from daily operations.
He added, “For the first time I will say ‘I’, because I always said ‘we’. So I did it myself. I’m very proud of this. I’ll remain the chairman of WOŚP— a position I’ll hold until the end of my life—but I will change how I appear in the foundation. I don’t want to be an annoying, grim presence bearing worries.”
Chairman Confirms 34th Final Preparations Continue Full Speed
Owsiak assured that despite structural changes, preparations for the 34th Final of WOŚP are moving full speed. “We already have printed stickers with the red heart—40 million 8 000 pieces. Medals and T‑shirts for the ‘Count Yourself’ with Diabetes run have already been designed. Last year, 8 000 people participated; we want 10 000 this time. We also received the can project for approval and will not delay its printing. Nearly 1,700 entities have registered,” he said.
Harassment of Jerzy Owsiak
Owsiak also recalled a wave of hate that he faced, especially during the last Final of WOŚP. The situation continues, he noted, because “the wave of hostility is pouring in continuously.” He described how people had painted black on the fence of his farm, and they would see such acts during their visits. He said the crowd at that moment was removed, citing disturbing films about Nazi Germany and the past placing antisemitic signs on Jewish-owned establishments. “The message was clear—today it is; tomorrow it may be much worse,” the chairman said.