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From Empty Spaces to Homes: Abandoned Tenement in Piaseczno Gets a New Lease of Life

On Monday, 8 September, renovation works began at 1 Nadarzyńska Street, led by a team of 21 employee volunteers from Australia, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Swapping their work places for hammers, the group traded business attire for hard hats and work clothes, following safety training before diving into four days of hands-on renovation.

From abandoned to home
The local municipality has granted the Lena Grochowska Foundation 40 years’ free use of the historic tenement house in central Piaseczno. The building, long abandoned but once a rental tenement, will be transformed into an innovative space combining residential and community functions.

“By revitalising this place, we will create over 20 supported apartments — functional, safe, and accessible. We want people in difficult situations to have not only a roof over their heads, but also a real path to independence and opportunities to integrate with the local community,” says Aneta Żochowska, Director of the Lena Grochowska Foundation. “We create this place for people at risk of social exclusion — people with disabilities, those moving on from homelessness, seniors, and young people leaving foster care. Supported apartments are a form of assistance that helps people take the first step towards independence. With guidance from trainers and support workers, residents will learn to run their own households — from planning shopping and cooking to managing a budget. In this way, we can help reduce housing exclusion among particularly vulnerable groups.”

“The Piaseczno tenement house is one of many examples of how we can bring abandoned spaces back to life — buildings that stand empty today but could be safe homes tomorrow. At Habitat for Humanity Poland, we work across the country to show that change is possible — with the help of partners, volunteers, and people of goodwill,” adds Mateusz Piegza, Programme Director at Habitat for Humanity Poland.

The renovation of the building at 1 Nadarzyńska Street is a step towards the renewal and better use of vacant properties — and a chance to improve the quality of life for many residents. It is also an opportunity to draw attention to the enormous potential of adapting unused premises. According to the 2021 National Census, there are as many as 1.8 million vacant properties in Poland. Yet, while hundreds of thousands of people in Poland are struggling to find a safe place to call home, the Empty Spaces to Homes model offers a powerful solution. By transforming vacant buildings into secure, affordable housing, we not only address urgent shelter needs but also lower carbon emissions by repurposing existing structures. The greenest building is the one that’s already built – This approach lowers construction and energy costs, revitalizes communities, and delivers value to all stakeholders—residents, the public sector, and the environment alike.

Volunteering with a mission
Corporate volunteering is one of the pillars of Habitat for Humanity’s activities.

“Thanks to the involvement of company employees, we don’t have to outsource minor but costly services. Employee volunteering not only shows the challenges people face, but also demonstrates the power of community and collective action,” emphasises Mateusz Piegza from Habitat for Humanity Poland.

“The most valuable thing is meeting new people and the goal that unites us: building something better for others. Giving a part of yourself on this place where you knows you’re building a better future for someone and you’re leaving behind kilograms of sweat. I’m proud that place that was empty will once again be filled with laughter, joy and tears. That an empty and ugly place in city is getting new life and letting others live. I’m happier because I contributed to this.”  says Łukasz, a volunteer.

The Employee Foundation of the VKR Group, parent company of VELUX Poland, stands alongside Habitat for Humanity in a long-term partnership rooted in shared values and a common belief that everyone deserves a safe and decent place to call home. The foundation supports the Empty Spaces to Homes initiative because it directly addresses two urgent challenges: the severe shortage of affordable housing and the need to cut carbon emissions by repurposing vacant buildings into affordable, energy-efficient homes. Renovating instead of demolishing saves materials, avoids unnecessary waste, and preserves the heritage and character of old buildings, while transforming them into healthy, inclusive living spaces.

As part of this commitment, 21 VKR Group colleagues are joining renovation works in Piaseczno, while thousands more participate globally in the “Donate Your Steps” walking challenge. Every step taken is matched with a financial donation to support Habitat’s mission, proving that collective action—on site and around the world—can bring new life to empty buildings and new hope to the people who will live in them. DOVISTA and VELUX are also contributing to the transformation by donating new, high-quality windows for the building — bringing in more daylight, improving ventilation, and creating a healthier, more energy-efficient living environment for future residents.

“We are proud to support Habitat for Humanity through this long-term partnership, which is grounded in shared values and a common belief that everyone deserves a healthy, safe and decent place to live. It is inspiring to see colleagues from across the VKR Group coming together in a Donate Your Steps walking challenge for a cause that brings new life to old buildings – and new hope to families, ” says Robert Purol, Board Member, Employee Foundation of the VKR Goup & General Manager, NB Polska Sp. z o.o.

“This project can only happen because we work hand in hand: business, NGOs, and local government. Each sector brings its strengths — skills, volunteers, funding, know-how, and institutional support. Only in such a partnership can we quickly and responsibly turn empty buildings into homes and create lasting resident support programmes,” adds Aneta Żochowska from the Lena Grochowska Foundation.

“Even while I was still in prison, I was determined to change and started planning my life beyond the walls,” says Krzysztof, one of the participants in the Foundation’s housing programme. “I couldn’t count on any support from the institution, so I turned to the Lena Grochowska Foundation. After my release I was given the chance to live in a supported apartment and to take up employment — help that came at exactly the right moment. Today I’m a ceramics instructor, working with people with intellectual disabilities at the Foundation’s ceramics studio. The project in Piaseczno is for people like me — it makes you feel safe and gives hope for a better tomorrow.”

The comprehensive renovation is supported by Arche Group, which has many years of experience in restoring historic buildings. This support will help restore the building’s former glory while adapting it to modern standards.

About Habitat for Humanity Poland

Habitat for Humanity Poland has been working to reduce housing poverty in Poland for over 30 years. The foundation raises public awareness of the housing situation in Poland and advocates for improved housing policies. It promotes systemic solutions to maximise the scale of its activities. It is estimated that the foundation’s work has improved the housing conditions of over 690,000 people in Poland.

About the Lena Grochowska Foundation

The Lena Grochowska Foundation was established as part of Arche Group and, since 2014, has been actively engaged in creating jobs and opportunities for people with disabilities. Today, across five branches, it employs over 90 people with intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, Asperger’s, and autism spectrum disorders, who produce unique ceramics, interior decorations, paintings, and clothing. In Warsaw, Siedlce, and Gdańsk, it also runs the toMy social café network, where people with disabilities and congenital conditions can thrive professionally. The foundation also develops training apartment programmes for those at risk of exclusion, including people with disabilities, refugees, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

About the Employee Foundation

The Employee Foundation of the VKR Group – supporting people and communities since 1991. Since 1991, the Employee Foundation has supported VKR Group employees, their immediate family members, and local communities worldwide. With over 11,000 grants totaling more than €35 million, the Foundation has helped thousands of employees through personal distress, illness, and their children through education. It also funds local non-profit community projects near VKR locations – over 3,000 to date – enhancing public spaces, nature, education, and sports. Special programs like Live a Dream with Habitat for Humanity, Reconnect with Nature, Reconnect with Human Nature and Senior Life Initiative promote well-being, volunteerism, and community engagement. Each year, outstanding contributions within VKR Group are honoured through the Villum Kann Rasmussen and Lars Kann-Rasmussen Safety Awards.

Media contact:
Artur Jaworski — ajaworski@habitat.pl — tel. +48 697 979 900
Aneta Żochowska —  azochowska@fundacjalenygrochowskiej.pl — tel. +48 537 886 019

Hørsholm (August 14, 2025) – we are excited to announce the next step in our growing collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Together, we are building on shared values and years of impactful work, this time through hands-on volunteer work and collective action in Poland.

In September 2025, a team of volunteers from across VKR Holding, DOVISTA, and VELUX will join Habitat Poland on-site in Piaseczno, near Warsaw. Over the course of one week, these volunteers will help breathe new life into a long-abandoned tenement building, part of our Empty Spaces to Homes initiative. This effort, delivered in partnership with the Lena Grochowska Foundation, will convert a historic building into safe, affordable housing for people at risk of social exclusion — including refugees, people with disabilities, and those recovering from homelessness.

Together, we build opportunity
The Piaseczno project is a renovation together with a bold vision for inclusion and resilience. By blending housing with social support services, it offers future residents not just a roof over their heads, but the resources they need to thrive: guidance from social workers, mental health professionals, and employment mentors.

“This project represents the very heart of what we believe in — taking empty spaces and turning them into homes,” said Ekin Ogutogullari, Habitat for Humanity’s Vice President for Europe and the Middle East. “Together with the Employee Foundation of the VKR Group and other partners involved, we’re creating a future where people can move forward with stability, dignity, and opportunity.”

Repurposing vacant buildings instead of demolishing them reflects a deep commitment to both environmental sustainability and social inclusion. It’s a circular, people-centered solution — one that addresses the urgent need for affordable housing while also reducing our carbon footprint.

Every step builds something greater
Once again, the Employee Foundation will engage thousands of VKR Group colleagues around the world through its Donate Your Steps challenge. From September 1–9, employees will track their steps, and the Foundation will match those steps with a financial donation to support Habitat’s work.

“The Empty Spaces to Homes initiative is a natural reflection of our values and our commitment to giving back to local communities.” said Lotte Kragelund, Executive Director of the Employee Foundation. “Renovating instead of rebuilding reduces carbon emissions, preserves heritage and provides dignified housing. This partnership is about construction as well as healthy communities and a more sustainable future.”

By combining movement and mission, the challenge invites all employees — not just the 20 volunteers in Poland — to be part of something meaningful.

A lasting partnership rooted in purpose
Since 2022, the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Employee Foundation has helped transform vacant buildings into homes, strengthened communities, and empowered vulnerable groups across Europe. Together, we build more than just homes — we build community, climate resilience, and hope.

“As we welcome VKR volunteers to Poland, we’re reminded that progress is built one step, one partnership, and one community at a time,” said Ogutogullari. “This collaboration shows what’s possible when people come together to create change.”

Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in your local area and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Since our founding in 1976, together we have helped more than 62 million people globally build their futures on their own terms through access to decent housing. We’ve done that by working alongside people of all walks of life to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing, and by advocating for policies that make constructing and accessing housing easier for everyone. Together, we build homes, communities and hope.

About Employee Foundation of VKR Group
The Employee Foundation of the VKR Group is dedicated to supporting VKR Group employees and their immediate families through grants and initiatives. Its mission spans several key areas, including crisis assistance, educational support for children, and funding nonprofit projects near VKR Group locations. Since its first partnership with Habitat for Humanity in 2022, the foundation has fostered sustainable community development through volunteer builds and the “Empty Spaces to Homes” initiative, which addresses housing shortages and promotes environmental sustainability across Europe.

The board meeting was held as a Teams meeting, and the focus was on information of progress on initiatives.

The Strategy – Let’s work it out together
The Let’s work it out together strategy is progressing well, and the foundation now experiences more applications due to greater visibility as well as enhanced engagement when communicating and asking employees to participate in various activities.
The results of the VELUX Global Employee Survey were presented, and it shows that there is still room for improvement in some of the functional areas. The Employee Foundation is planning a more targeted communication making it easier for managers to understand and communicate about the grant areas.

Year-to-date development 2025
The costs follow the set budget. Despite the increasing trend in the number of applications, there is satisfactory liquidity to cover the grants. The financial markets have been unexpectedly volatile during the first half of 2025 due to US tariffs and strained relations with allies. However, as time has progressed, market trading has recovered. As a result, year-to-date developments are near zero and will continue to be monitored closely.

Grants
At the meeting, the Board decided on 278 grants: Approximately DKK 4.1 million for employee purposes (133 grants related to unfortunate incidents and 83 educational grants), and approximately DKK 1.26 million for 62 community projects.
Proactive Health Screenings
35 applications from VKR Group companies regarding proactive health screenings within cardio-vascular diseases, cancer or diabetes for employees and their partners were approved; total value of grants are approx. DKK 7.0 million. Screenings will be organised locally and take place by end of May 2026. Expectedly, more than 12,000 employees and partners will get a health screening and thus proactively work for improved health and well-being.

Summer Photo Competition
In the beginning of July, the Employee Foundation launches a photo competition, which runs until 15 August, where employees are encouraged to submit photos of how they enjoy outdoor summer moments – while staying healthy and safe! We hope for many creative photos so that we can send well-deserved prizes to the winners.

Live a Dream
The board selected 18 employees who are offered to go to Poland in September 2025 to participate as volunteers in this year’s Live a Dream building project where empty spaces will be converted to homes for vulnerable families. The project is made in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity. The lucky employees and their respective recommendation committee will be notified directly.
In-kind donations of VELUX products and Dobroplast products will be installed in the building prior to the volunteering event.
The board decided to integrate a “Donate your steps” activity with Live a Dream, where the Employee Foundation will donate an amount to Habitat for Humanity, based on the total number of steps. This initiative allows more employees to support Habitat for Humanity during the week when the 18 volunteers work on the construction site.

Dare to Dream
The board discussed progress in the “Dare to Dream” program – a youth camp for 50 employees’ children aged 16-25 to provide guidance to those needing direction in their lives, education, or career paths. The youth camp will be held in Spring 2026 with application deadline mid-October 2025. Communication will begin early September.

Reconnect with Nature
16 applications were received for the Reconnect with Nature program, primarily regarding establishment of town parks or projects involving shelters. Based on initial screening, the Board decided to move forward with 12 projects for 2nd round and final decision at the next board meeting.

The next board meeting is scheduled for 1-2 October 2025.

On 27 November, the board meeting was held as a Teams meeting, with Lars Bohlbro from VELUX A/S participating as an observer.

Year-to-Date Development 2024
Costs are in line with the budget, and the financial markets have been volatile but positive.

Grants
The board approved 239 grants: about 3.5 million DKK for employee purposes (99 grants for unfortunate events, 64 educational grants and 13 grants for Senior clubs) and about 6.3 million DKK (63 grants) for local non-profit projects.

Strategy and Projects
There is an increased understanding of the importance of the Employee Foundation with more applications being received. The foundation will focus on health screenings in 2025 and pilot projects for shelters in May 2025.

Live a dream – volunteer work
18 employees participated in a construction project in Romania, where they built six homes in five days. During the building period, 697 employees donated steps, resulting in a donation of 2 million DKK to Habitat for Humanity.

Awards
Preparations for the Villum Kann Rasmussen Award and the Lars Kann-Rasmussen Safety Award are underway with local ceremonies scheduled for 23 January 2025.

The next meeting will be held on 19-20 March 2025.

On behalf of the board, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The board meeting of Employee Foundation of the VKR Group took place in Berlin on 17-18 September 2024.

Grants
The board approved 264 grants, including DKK 4.1 million for employee purposes and DKK 1.1 million for 51 local non-profit projects. The foundation is also providing support for employees affected by extreme rainfalls in Central and Eastern Europe.

Strategy
The board discussed the progress of the new strategy, “Let’s work it out together”, which aims to increase visibility, engagement, relevance, and proactivity. Pilot projects under the Reconnect with Human Nature program, such as skin cancer screening, have been launched. The Green Areas and Outdoor Life program is also progressing, with several projects now open to the public.

Summer campaign, ambassador program
The Employee Foundation summer photo competition received 87 entries from 20 countries, with 40 photos awarded prizes. An ambassador program, called Scouts, has been launched to increase the foundation’s visibility.

Live a dream
Eighteen employees will participate in the “Live a dream” building project in Romania, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. During this period, an employee campaign will be launched to “donate their steps”, with the foundation pledging to donate up to DKK 2 million based on the total number of steps.

Awards
The recipients of the Villum Kann Rasmussen Award and the Lars Kann-Rasmussen Safety Award 2025 were selected.

The next board meeting is scheduled for 27 November 2024.

The Employee Foundation board meeting was held online on 13 June.

The meeting granted about DKK 4.3 million (more than EUR 0.5 million) for employee purposes (140 grants related to unfortunate situations, and 62 educational grants for employees’ children), and about DKK 1.1 million (more than EUR 0.14 million) for 54 local non-profit projects.

Several companies in the Group have seen extreme weather conditions with serious consequences for the employees and their homes. Our allocated emergency funding is there to help in such situations.

For the Live a dream program 2024, the Board selected 18 employees from among the applications received. The building project will be held in Berceni, Romania in September-October 2024. All applicants have be notified directly.

Healthy Habits, photo contest
In July and August, the Employee Foundation will run a photo contest with a focus on staying healthy during the summer time.

At the annual meeting held in Denmark, at the VKR Holding A/S head office in Hørsholm, the Board of Directors made 310 grants: about DKK 4.7 million. for employee purposes (146 grants for unfortunate situations, 107 educational grants, and two grants for other employee purposes), and almost DKK 1 million for 55 local non-profit projects.

Yearbook 2023/24
In early April, our annual report in Danish and English will be distributed to VKR Group companies at home and abroad together with an abridged digital and printable version in eight languages. All versions will be made available on the site under publications & downloads.

We are pleased to announce this year’s award recipients, who were honoured on 23 January 2024, on Villum Kann Rasmussen’s birthday.

The Employee Foundation presents the Villum Kann Rasmussen Award to honour and celebrate employees who, with their personal contribution, do something special to realise the VKR Group’s Model Company Objective.

Likewise, the Employee Foundation presents the Lars Kann-Rasmussen Safety Award to employees who, at work or in their private lives, exhibit inspiring and proactive behaviour in the field of safety and have courageous attitudes that break with conventional thinking and prevent accidents.

This year, the Employee Foundation’s Board of Directors elected a total of 13 recipients of the Villum Kann Rasmussen Award and 5 recipients of the Lars Kann-Rasmussen Safety Award.

The awards ceremonies take place locally in the companies where the recipients work. It is the individual company that is responsible for the local celebration and ensures that the day is festive for both the award recipient and colleagues.

We warmly congratulate the laureates.