From an idea to global change: how a Polish foundation inspires the world toward empathy-based education

How did the idea of founding CFF begin?

Artur Czepczyński: It all started naturally – from the growth of our social and educational activities. In 2019, my wife Justyna and I decided to establish a professional, transparent organization that would operate independently from our business. Our educational projects were expanding so fast that they needed their own structure. The Czepczyński Family Foundation was meant to become a platform for collaboration – a place where knowledge, engagement, and professionalism could meet.

But there’s also a very personal side to this story. We are parents of a child with a disability – our son Eryk. He became the inspiration behind the book ABC of Empathy, which later evolved into a full educational programme. Our experiences as parents showed us how crucial it is for children to learn understanding, empathy and acceptance from an early age.
From the very beginning, we knew one thing: education is not a cost, it’s an investment in the future.

What are the foundation’s key areas of work today?

Damian Kupczyk: We focus on three pillars: economic education, inclusive education, and mental-health prevention through emotional education. Together, they form what we call the “competencies/ skills of the future.” We work with teachers, parents, and local governments who support children between the ages of five and ten – a time when empathy and resilience are formed for life. As I often say, empathy is not a soft value but a hard skill for the future.

You’re also active abroad. Could you tell us more about your international work?

Artur Czepczyński: Initially, our projects were local, but we quickly realised that these needs are universal. We started with pilot programmes in Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal. One of our greatest achievements was our work in Ukraine after the outbreak of the full-scale war. With support from the American foundation Direct Relief, we implemented a pilot project in 550 schools, hired five regional coordinators, and received over 1,600 partnership declarations from schools and local governments. It proved how essential inclusive education and empathy are in times of crisis.

Damian Kupczyk: We’ve also been active in Brussels – together with members of the European Parliament we co-organised three times conferences at the European Parliament on inclusion, empathy and mental-health promotion. This year, we also participated in Expo 2025 in Osaka and a UN conference in Doha on social issues, where we emphasised education as a tool for building emotional resilience.

You also work with business partners. How does your employee volunteering model work?

Damian Kupczyk: It’s simple yet powerful. We train company employees who then deliver lessons in schools – often the ones their own children attend. They teach about emotions, empathy, or economics, and teachers receive ready-made educational kits to continue these lessons every year. Each education package includes books, work sheets, material and training for teachers.

Our flagship example is the partnership with the ING Bank Foundation, which has been running successfully for three years now. It shows that volunteering is not PR – it’s a value-driven culture.

What can business do for children’s education?

Artur Czepczyński: A great deal. Most importantly, it can trust education and see it as an investment – in the future workforce, in a more empathetic, responsible society. It’s not about one-off actions, but about a systemic approach. A business that teaches children becomes more human itself.
Damian Kupczyk: Exactly. For me, it’s also about adult responsibility. If we have the knowledge, tools, and capacity, we should use them to support the youngest. You cannot build corporate wellbeing without social wellbeing. Each business can work with us and support children in their education on Poland and abroad.

And what’s next for the Czepczyński Family Foundation?

Artur Czepczyński: Our goal is to establish global partnerships – with institutions that trust our expertise and the recommendations we’ve received from the European Commission and national education ministries. We seek partners who want to co-create the future of education, not just fund it.

Damian Kupczyk: We’ll continue to expand and improve our programs while reaching new audiences. Education should be holistic – children must feel adult support, not just hear about it.

Because we both deeply believe that changing the world begins in the classroom.