From June 6th to 8th, 2025, the picturesque city of Zakopane hosted the 13th National Congress of Large Families “Trzy Plus,” bringing together more than 1,000 participants – 167 families from all over Poland – under the motto “Family on Top!”
The event was held under the Honorary Patronage of the Marshal of the Małopolska Region, Łukasz Smółka. The Małopolska Region also served as the main partner of the Congress.
The rich and diverse program included over 40 events: creative workshops for children and teenagers (organized by institutions such as the Tatra Museum, the Tatra National Park, and the Witkacy Theater), panels and discussions, a concert by the Trebunie-Tutki highlander band, and a symbolic gathering at Kasprowy Wierch (1987 m), emphasizing the strength and elevation of family values. The Congress concluded with a Holy Mass and family procession through the streets of Zakopane.
An important moment of the weekend was the Local Governments Forum for Families, a new platform for inter-municipal cooperation initiated by the “Trzy Plus” Association. During the meeting, participants discussed a nationwide “Family-Friendly Municipality” certificate, support tools for parents balancing caregiving and employment, and the need for local, intergenerational projects. Key recommendations included the development of a shared certification framework and more flexible forms of family support.
A socio-economic panel addressed Poland’s demographic challenges and the vital role of large families. Speakers included government officials, local leaders, demographers, and MEP Jagna Marczułajtis-Walczak, who emphasized the importance of long-term, family-centered policies.
An innovative influencer panel featured prominent Polish creators who shared insights on building meaningful offline relationships and why time, not things, is the best way to show love to children.
Youth participants met with the Ombudsperson for Children to discuss topics such as loneliness, public exclusion, and the lack of youth-friendly spaces. A lively evening integration session demonstrated how such spaces could be co-created with young people.
The Congress also marked the 18th anniversary of the Trzy Plus Association – a milestone in its work to support large families and shape a family-friendly society in Poland.
