On May 28, Legia Warsaw’s Municipal Stadium became a hub for youth empowerment. During the 12th Grand Finale of “Exempt from Theory,” finalists of Poland’s largest practical social project competition gathered alongside teachers, school principals, and representatives from business, civil society organizations, and public administration. This year’s edition stood out for the highest quality of projects in the 12-year history of the “Zwolnieni z Teorii” competition—participants achieved results that were, on average, 10 percent better than last year, and a record 300 initiatives were nominated for awards. Such a high level of competition meant that as many as 21 Golden Wolves were awarded during the Golden Gala.
Photo: Wojciech Wrazowski
Over 7,400 high school students from across Poland have spent the past few months turning their own ideas into concrete social initiatives. As part of the 12th edition of the “Exempt from Theory” Competition, students carried out 1,534 social projects, addressing challenges particularly important to the younger generation: mental health, education, cybersecurity, ecology, accessibility of urban spaces, intergenerational relations, combating hate speech, culture, safety, and equal opportunities.
This was an edition of the highest, unprecedented quality. Participants’ projects scored an average of 10 percent higher than last year, and the number of awarded initiatives increased by one-fifth. The jury faced an almost impossible task and decided to award 21 Golden Wolves. “Young people have raised the bar so high that we were literally speechless with awe,” said Paula Bruszewska, president of the Zwolnieni z Teorii Foundation, during the Golden Gala.
Photo: Wojciech Wrazowski
21 Golden Wolves for projects that address real needs
During the Golden Gala, the best social projects of the 12th edition of the Olympiad were honored. This year, a record 300 projects were nominated for the awards, and as Paula Bruszewska emphasized, the final results were decided by “literally fractions of a point.” The high and evenly matched level of competition meant that in many categories, awards were given ex aequo, and a total of 21 Golden Wolves went to young teams. The awarded initiatives covered a wide spectrum of topics that the younger generation is engaged with today—from education, mental health, and cybersecurity, through ecology, civil society, and culture, to the accessibility of urban spaces, public events, and charity fundraisers.
Photo: Wojciech Wrazowski
Among the winners were, among others, projects implemented in partnership programs that support students in developing future-oriented competencies: teamwork, communication, responsibility, entrepreneurship, and the ability to translate ideas into real social action. An example of such an initiative is Studdly.app from Warsaw, a project by students of the Ignacy Domeyko High School No. 122, awarded the Golden Wolf in the education category. The app uses AI to support students in their studies and demonstrates how technology can help acquire knowledge in a more engaging way.
Photo: Wojciech Wrazowski
Every time we meet participants of Zwolnieni z Teorii, we are reminded of how much can be achieved through courage, ingenuity, and action. That is why we have been supporting the Olympiad for years and cheering on young people who, instead of waiting for change, create it themselves. This year, nearly 80 of our mentors accompanied them. Together, they sought solutions, developed projects, and demonstrated that learning through practice provides skills that cannot be acquired solely from textbooks. The Grand Finale is full of excitement for us. We meet young people who believe that their actions matter. And they’re right. It is precisely these kinds of experiences that build responsibility, entrepreneurship, and a readiness to change the world around them,” says Joanna Dymna-Oszek, Director of the Organizational Culture Department at ING Bank Śląski.
Photo: Wojciech Wrazowski
Participation in the Olympiad is a unique opportunity for young people to gain skills and experience that they will certainly be able to use in their adult lives. “At Allegro, we believe that creativity, perseverance, and openness to change, as well as the ability to work together, are extremely important qualities that should be supported and developed in the younger generation of Poles,” says Marta Mikliszańska, Director of Public Policy at Allegro.
The list of winners also includes projects related to, among other things, nuclear energy, transplantology, intergenerational relations, civic education, combating hate speech, water safety, youth health, wildlife conservation, and equalizing educational opportunities. The full list of winning initiatives includes 21 projects from across Poland.
The Grand Finale as a space for inspiration, knowledge, and conversation about education
The Grand Finale of Zwolnieni z Teorii was not only a culmination of the students’ year-long work but also a space for inspiration, growth, and the exchange of experiences. Participants had access to, among other things, thematic sessions, workshops, expert consultations, and networking activities. One of the most engaging parts of the program was the Pitch Contest, during which the finalists presented their projects to a jury composed of representatives from the business and media worlds, as well as an audience of nearly 5,000 participants. The winning team was from High School No. 1 in Bochnia with their project “Wave of Reason” on water safety. The program was complemented by the Silver Gala, during which Silver Wolves were awarded for outstanding social projects, and the presentation of awards to the TOP 20 schools from the “Exempt from Theory” School Ranking.
Photo: Wojciech Wrazowski
AI will write an essay, generate code, and calculate integrals. But AI won’t reach out to people. It won’t feel empathy. It won’t organize a fundraiser, start a company, or motivate a team to take action in the real world. Gaining experience through one’s own social projects is more relevant and necessary today than at any other time in human history,” concluded Paula Bruszewska.
The partners of the “Zwolnieni z Teorii” Olympiad are ING Bank Śląski, Allegro, Grupa Pracuj, and Enea.
More information: zwolnienizteorii.pl/wielki-final
