The office of former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki allocated approximately 3.4 million PLN in 2023 to the Association for a Safe Lublin Region. The project, aimed at enhancing women’s safety through various training programs, is now under scrutiny following a change in government.
The funding was designated for the “Safe Woman” initiative, which included training in psychology, crisis management, self-defense, and medical first aid, along with marksmanship training.
Controversy Surrounds the Project
Shortly after the project commenced in Lublin, billboards promoting the training appeared, featuring PiS politicians Monika Pawłowska and Magdalena Filipek-Sobczak as ambassadors. The timing of these advertisements, surfacing just weeks before the official election campaign, led to allegations of using the project for political gain.
Audit Reveals Irregularities
Following the change in leadership, the new Prime Minister’s office initiated an audit of the project, which uncovered that 98% of the funds were improperly accounted for. Questions arose about the chosen ambassadors, particularly as both were later candidates for the Sejm. The billboard campaign was estimated to have cost around 250,000 PLN and was perceived as a political promotion of these officials.
Further complicating matters, concerns were raised about the association’s financial dealings, especially regarding Zoe.Net.CO, a firm linked to one of the ambassadors. Almost 450,000 PLN was paid to the company for venue rentals and project coordination, with the firm’s director being Pawłowska’s husband.
Government Seeks Refund
In response to the audit findings, the current administration under Donald Tusk has demanded that the Association for a Safe Lublin Region return the misallocated funds, totaling 3.38 million PLN. Reports indicate that by September 10, 2025, the association was formally required to repay the amount.
However, the association has not complied and has filed an appeal against the decision in the Administrative Court in Warsaw, a case which was dismissed in May due to a failure to pay the required court fees.
Association Vows to Fight Back
Tomasz Lebiocki, the association’s president, expressed that they had not received notice of the court’s dismissal and affirmed that they would continue to fight for justice. He criticized the KPRM’s actions, asserting that the project was executed as planned and labeling the situation a political witch hunt. Lebiocki noted that the association is currently inactive due to a frozen bank account but remains committed to defending its integrity against allegations of theft or misconduct.
