At a Glance
Location: Gdańsk, Poland
Impact Areas: Employment Generation, Urban Regeneration
People Supported:
Youth, LGTBQIA+, Refugees and Migrants
NESsT Program: Violet Fund
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2025
Overview
100cznia (pronounced sto-cznia) is a standout example of creative urban regeneration in Central and Eastern Europe. Founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs Alicja Nina Jabłonowska and Jakub Łukaszewski, the enterprise operates on the historic grounds of the former Gdańsk Shipyard—a site of profound symbolic importance as the birthplace of the Solidarity Movement, which catalyzed the fall of communism in Poland and across Eastern Europe. Today, this iconic location is being reimagined as a dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable cultural destination.
Since its informal beginnings in 2017, 100cznia has transformed a once-abandoned industrial site into a seasonal hub of food, culture, and community. Over the years, it has evolved into a multifunctional public space that blends hospitality, events, creative entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. The project is widely recognized for its free-entry policy, strong community ethos, and commitment to showcasing emerging talent and underrepresented voices. At the heart of its operations lies a dedication to circular economy principles: the site is constructed from repurposed shipping containers and outfitted with reclaimed materials, embodying a dedication to circular economy principles and low-impact development.
Located just steps from Gdańsk's historic old town and the European Solidarity Centre, 100cznia hosts over 1,200 cultural events annually, including concerts, DJ sets, theater performances, open-air cinema, community markets, and skateboarding competitions—alongside more than 600 workshops on eco-education, sign language, upcycling, and creative skills. Its programming serves a broad audience of urban youth, local families, tourists, creatives, and the LGBTQIA+ community, positioning 100cznia as a unique "city within a city" and a leading model of inclusive cultural infrastructure that draws over 100,000 people every year.
In 2025, the enterprise launched its new space in Building 31B, featuring three social activity spaces — Grid Arthub, Dust Kitchen, and Plot Social Club — allowing 100cznia to operate year-round and overcome previous limitations tied to seasonality, enhancing both revenue resilience and community impact. The company currently employs over 80 individuals, resulting in a total of nearly 150 people employed over the course of the year. Many of these employees come from marginalized backgrounds, including refugees from the Polish–Belarusian border supported through 100cznia’s social program, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
100cznia’s internal operations are rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as articulated in its "Zasady 100czni" (100cznia Principles), a set of internal rules that codify expectations around inclusivity, non-discrimination, and fair labor standards. The enterprise actively participates in the municipal initiative Gdańsk Miastem Równości (Gdańsk—City of Equality), aligning its practices with the city's broader equality and human-rights agenda.
Results & Impact
15
jobs for LGBTQIA+ employees by 2027, with a 150% increase planned by 2029
50+
permanent and seasonal jobs created for migrants and youth
100,000+
visitors welcomed annually to a free, inclusive public space
“We want to develop 100cznia as a space integrating culture, entrepreneurship, social action, and urban revitalization, while simultaneously building financial stability and long-term organizational resilience. We see the NESsT portfolio as an opportunity to streamline our growth processes and increase our social impact without losing the grassroots nature of the project.”
NESsT Investment
The NESsT Violet Fund will support 100cznia to strengthen and scale its inclusive cultural model by stabilizing its financial position following a significant infrastructure expansion. This includes improving cash flow resilience during the post-investment ramp-up period.
NESsT Violet Fund managers will also work closely with 100cznia to formalize and implement DEI policies and practices, launch employee surveys to monitor, the safety and quality of workplaces and staff wellbeing, and run annual LGBTQIA+ community engagement activities, including youth‑focused events and Pride Month initiatives and workshops.
Additionally, NESsT’s investment will unlock new revenue opportunities through climate-resilient infrastructure. Together, these efforts will support 100cznia deepen its environmental and social impact while ensuring long-term operational sustainability in one of Poland's most symbolically significant urban spaces.