Podcast:
The fun in Funding #2: Szczecin

Mapping Passion and Heritage: Irmina Burgow’s Journey with USE-IT Szczecin

Welcome to “The Fun in Funding,” a podcast created as part of the Erasmus Plus project.

This series highlights young locals striving to develop maps of their cities through crowdfunding and financial planning. In this episode, we speak with Irmina Burgow from Szczecin, Poland.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, or if you prefer reading, find the content summarized below!

Irmina, could you introduce yourself and tell us how you got involved in the USE-IT project?

I’m Irmina, 21 years old, and currently studying at an Art University in Szczecin. I’m also a scout, which is actually part of how I came across USE-IT. My dad was a scout and still has a lot of connections in that world. One of his friends reached out to me and a friend about a project involving map-making. He told us it was a cool opportunity, and there was even a chance to go to Italy for a training session. We got interested, and that’s how we ended up here.

That sounds like a great start! What specifically do you enjoy about Szczecin?

Szczecin has a unique vibe. It’s not like other Polish cities, especially the big ones, but it’s not like the smaller towns either—it’s somewhere in between. It’s a large city, but it still feels calm, and it has a rich history. The city has switched between being German and Polish several times, so there’s a real mix of influences. Plus, there are people here from everywhere.

Do you already have a particular spot in mind that you want to feature on your map?

That’s tough—there are so many great spots! But if I had to pick one, it would be what I call “Szczecin’s Venice,” a part of the city along the river that you can only see from a boat. It’s a beautiful area with older buildings from before World War I. Szczecin is also known for its magnolia trees, which bloom in spring and make the city especially beautiful.

When’s the best time to visit Szczecin, especially for first-time visitors?

Spring is wonderful because everything is green and blooming. Fall is also nice; the leaves turn all kinds of warm colors, and it’s a quieter time with fewer tourists. But I don’t recommend visiting on All Saints’ Day—it’s one of the busiest times here because we have one of Europe’s largest cemeteries, and it gets very crowded.

Now, let’s talk funding. Where are you currently in the funding process?

We’re at the early stages. We’ve put together a rough draft of our budget, estimated a few costs, and are looking for potential funders in the city.

Have you worked on a budget before, especially for something this size?

Not really—not for something this big. It’s not hard for me, though, since I’m familiar with Excel. It’s just a matter of doing the research, which takes time.

Have you identified any organizations or potential funders you could approach?

Yes, we found a small grant opportunity through the city hall. It seems pretty straightforward to apply for, so we’re planning to try for that.

How did it feel when you started looking for funding? Did anything surprise you?

I didn’t expect it to be this challenging. Even finding potential sources of funding is hard. With elections coming up, I’m hoping it might get a little easier since people may want to support new projects to stay visible. But I also know that NGOs in Poland struggle financially, so I’m cautious about relying too much on support from local nonprofits.

Were there any specific moments or insights that made you realize how complex the funding process could be?

Yes, during the training in Viterbo and after talking with other people. I realized that projects like ours don’t usually get funding from a single source, like the city hall. Instead, funders often want others involved too, which complicates things. Most of our potential major funders are the city hall and regional government, which are closely connected. So, I may need to reach out to other groups, like NGOs or small businesses, though I know these organizations face financial challenges in Poland.

How can an organization like USE-IT Europe or the broader network support you in this process?

The experience and advice from others are incredibly helpful, especially hearing about what worked for them. The tools you’ve provided to support people starting out with USE-IT are also a big help.

Are you learning skills that might be useful beyond the USE-IT project?

Definitely. In fact, a friend of mine who’s also a scout did a university project asking if working with NGOs was helpful later in life. Most people said yes. Projects like this teach you planning, organizing, and communication skills, especially when working with people from different backgrounds and countries. There’s a lot to learn from each other.

What are the next steps for your project?

We’re planning to contact some organizations to see if they can support us in any way. We’re also preparing the application for the small grant from city hall.

Thank you, Irmina, for sharing your journey with us. This was incredibly insightful!

Thank you for listening to “The Fun in Funding.” This podcast is funded by the European Union, as is the entire FUND-IT project. See you next time!

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