Miko Czerwiński takes over at KPH as the new director [INTERVIEW]

At the end of this year, Mirka Makuchowska – director, longtime member, and co-founder of the Campaign Against Homophobia, will be leaving the organization after 20 years. Her duties will be gradually taken over from November by Miko Czerwiński – a person with extensive experience in activism, management, and advocacy.

What will Miko Czerwiński be doing?

Starting in January 2026, Miko will assume the position of Director at KPH. They responsibilities include implementing KPH’s new strategy, managing the team, and implementing structural and program changes within the organization. Miko will also maintain relationships with partner organizations, funders, the media, and decision-makers.

In the opinion of the KPH board, Miko was the best candidate, with the greatest experience in building relationships with donors, advocacy and many other areas crucial to the functioning of our organization – says Blanka Rozbicka, member of the KPH board.

It is with great excitement that I hand over the reins to Miko Czerwiński – a person with vast experience, vision, and energy. I am sure that Miko’s leadership role will take KPH to a new stage of development and enable us to achieve our mission even more effectively. Miko is the right person in the right place – says Mirka Makuchowska, current director of KPH.

A few words about Miko

Miko Czerwiński has been involved in activism for over 15 years. They serve on the board of the Równość.org.pl Foundation, served as co-chair of the KPH board, and worked as a manager in the campaigns and mobilization department at Amnesty International – focusing on sexual and reproductive rights and combating violence and discrimination. They support non-governmental organizations in strategic management, advocacy, and campaign design. Miko also has experience in development projects in East Africa (including collaboration with UN-HABITAT) and coordinating social projects in London. They hold a degree in cultural management from the Jagiellonian University.

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What emotions accompany you in your new role as director of KPH?

Miko Czerwiński: Taking on the directorship at KPH fills me with a mixture of gratitude, excitement, and responsibility. I feel I’m entering a new phase in which we have everything we need to make KPH an even stronger force in defending the rights of LGBT+ people.

I took my first steps in local initiatives and I know how fundamental the impact of activities that begin in communities, families, and neighborhoods is. These activities build a culture of support and openness and provide impulse for change that reaches far beyond our immediate surroundings. I also know that activism is not only about courage and a willingness to speak out where silence reigns, but also about invisible, arduous work that requires patience, consistency, and determination.

In my new role, I want to help focus this energy, support the community, and strengthen the entire LGBT+ movement. I’m thrilled that we can do this together. This is a time of courage, collaboration, and growth. I feel we are at a moment when we truly have the opportunity to change reality.

What values ​​underpin your vision of a world in which every LGBT+ person can live proudly? Where do you draw the strength and inspiration to make this vision a reality?

I come from a background in human rights and believe that LGBT+ rights are an integral part of it. Equality, dignity, and justice are not privileges; they are fundamental rights for each and every one of us. I am fueled by anger at injustice and the system that tries to limit and dispense them.

I am inspired by the story of the Chilean campaign against the dictatorship, “La alegría ya viene” (“Joy is Coming”). Change is a process, and hope is an effective political tool. I draw strength from moments of resistance and courage; queer joy is not an escape from reality, but a strategy of resistance and building a new order – based on mutual support, agency, and uncompromising authenticity.

I appreciate every move, every shift in the boundaries of the possible. It is from these small victories that lasting social change is born. And this gives me the energy to continue – specifically, consistently, and without illusions, but with the full conviction that the world can be turned right side up.

What are the biggest challenges the LGBT+ community faces today and what do you think is the key to overcoming them?

Today, the LGBTQIA+ community faces significant challenges. In Poland, there is still a lack of effective legal protection, and the movement often operates underfunded. The system forces us into competition, which consumes our energy and hinders us instead of leading to new, interesting, and innovative solutions. Meanwhile, globally, pressure from conservative movements, waves of disinformation, and attempts to reverse social progress are growing, forcing us to defend our achievements.

The key to overcoming these challenges is full mobilization and creative use of the movement’s energy. We need diverse paths to achieving a common goal. A diversity of strategies, collaboration, and the exchange of experiences allow us to transform tensions into strength. At the same time, we must not forget to invest in professionalism, security, and organizational development. Because a strong movement is a resilient movement, capable of actions with real impact.

What changes and initiatives would you like to introduce in the coming months to make KPH even more responsive to the challenges of the LGBT+ community?

I want to devote the coming months at KPH to strengthening the foundations of our organization and the entire LGBT+ movement in Poland. Above all, I want to increase the visibility and impact of our campaigns. So that the voice of KPH, and the entire community, is not only heard but truly inspires action and change.

At the same time, I want to strengthen the entire movement in Poland, support its competences, and build diverse funding sources that will ensure the independence and stability of our work for LGBT+ rights. I want KPH to be an organization that not only responds but anticipates challenges, doing so effectively.

I would like LGBT+ rights to be embedded in a broader conversation about the future of democracy and the rule of law in Poland and Europe. Because I believe that without our voices, experience, and vision for equality, it is impossible to create a truly open and just society.

What does effective change and effective action for equality mean to you?

For me, effectiveness in an NGO means combining passion with precision. It’s the ability to act with heart and empathy, while simultaneously planning, analyzing data, and evaluating outcomes. An effective organization measures success by its real impact on society and government structures.

Effectiveness also means resilience to crises, the ability to learn, adapt, and the courage to experiment. It’s the ability to build collaborations and alliances – with social movements, institutions, and the private sector – to collectively achieve goals.

We must also remember that systemic change is a marathon, and our effectiveness is measured by checkpoints. It’s worth noting smaller successes while resolutely pursuing our vision of the world.

Miko – we are glad that you are joining the KPH team, and that together we will build a Poland of equal rights!