Sustainable development
Sustainable development
Project "Dostępna-otwarta-kreatywna"
Our Academy carried out the project “Accessible–Open–Creative. ALK as a University of Equal Opportunities”, co-financed by the European Social Fund under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development. The intermediary institution responsible for the project was the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR).
The project was implemented from January 2021 over a period of 34 months as part of the Accessible University initiative. Its objective was to ensure that people with special needs have unrestricted access to educational opportunities and can fully participate in academic life.
The project made it possible to identify the specific needs of students and subsequently develop a comprehensive support plan, providing assistance throughout the educational process from the very beginning of their studies. It also enabled cooperation with specialists in various fields, including the provision of psychological support for the academic community—not only for students but also for university staff.
KU accessibility strategy
Kozminski University has long placed strong emphasis on business ethics and sustainable development. As the only university in Poland and one of just 30 business schools worldwide, it was recognized in the inaugural edition of the Positive Impact Rating for Business Schools. The ranking was announced in January 2020 during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Since then, the University has been included in the PIR ranking every year. In 2022, it advanced to the group of “Transforming Schools” (Level IV), comprising institutions that are consistently transforming their policies, operations, and educational approaches to promote the protection of the planet and the well-being of its inhabitants.
Our values expressed in 6 Sustainable Development Goals:
We are the part of:
With the natural environment in mind
We not only undertake environmentally friendly initiatives but also promote sustainability through education, demonstrating that even small changes and actions can make a meaningful difference. Together with our students and staff, we continuously seek new ways to become more "EKOZMINSKI."
To date, we have:
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Completed the thermal modernization of the entire campus, significantly reducing electricity consumption and, consequently, carbon dioxide emissions.
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Implemented an intelligent lighting management system and an internal air circulation system to improve energy efficiency.
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Adopted renewable energy solutions, including photovoltaic panels and wind energy sources.
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Reduced paper consumption by introducing electronic examinations (resulting in a 31% reduction in paper use) and automatic double-sided document printing. We also use certified environmentally friendly Ecolabel® paper.
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Introduced comprehensive waste segregation across the campus, with dedicated recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass, and used batteries.
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Completely eliminated plastic bottles and disposable plastic cups from the campus. Instead, we have introduced reusable paper cups. As part of our Zero Waste initiative, plastic cutlery and containers are no longer used in campus bars and cafeterias.
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Installed water dispensers connected directly to the municipal water supply in common areas and hallways, providing access to clean, high-quality drinking water.
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Established urban beehives on the rooftop of our campus, which were populated with bee colonies in 2022, supporting biodiversity and raising environmental awareness within the academic community.
Green areas and transport
The Academy is located within a Natura 2000 protected area, which requires us to comply with specific environmental standards and regulations. We want our campus not only to look attractive but also to be environmentally friendly and supportive of all living creatures that inhabit the area.
In cooperation with the authorities of the Praga-Południe district, old, diseased, and potentially hazardous trees have been replaced with young ones. We have also installed birdhouses and feeders to support local wildlife.
We encourage our students and staff to use public transportation. To make this easier, we have installed tram and bus timetable displays on campus.
An electric scooter station is located near the Academy. For those who prefer to commute by bicycle, we have provided a dedicated bicycle shelter in the parking area.
We also have an electric vehicle charging station with four charging points.
We support business in change
For many years, we have prepared the Responsible Companies Ranking, published in Dziennik Gazeta Prawna under the patronage of the Responsible Business Forum.
The annually updated questionnaire encourages managers of Poland’s largest companies to implement ambitious and innovative solutions supporting sustainable development. Since 2019, the ranking has been accompanied by a report and a list of recognized positive impact startups.
Experience has shown that:
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Business development does not have to significantly harm the environment and can even contribute to positive change.
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The creation of a genuine alternative to traditional approaches to doing business is becoming increasingly visible.
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As part of responsible innovation, a new entrepreneurship sector is rapidly developing on the market: positive impact startups.
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An increasing number of companies in Poland are adopting a structured approach to sustainable development, offering climate-friendly products and implementing appropriate management policies in areas such as diversity and responsible supply chains.
Find out more HERE.
We help
For many years, our community has been actively involved in numerous charitable initiatives, supporting people facing exceptional circumstances—often difficult and painful ones.
We provide both material and emotional support to those in need, including people experiencing financial hardship, illness, or raising children as single parents.
We cooperate with the Children’s Home in Zamość and the Single Mother’s Home in Warsaw’s Białołęka district, carrying out necessary renovations and repairs, as well as providing food and personal care products.
For many years, we have participated in the “Dream Gift” campaign, fulfilling children’s Christmas wishes from children’s homes and families living in economically disadvantaged areas of Poland.
We organize Christmas food collections for the Animal Shelter in Zielonka.
We also support the Smile Donors Tournament.
