Mateusz “Exen” Wodziński has been named the laureate of the first-ever Freedom Citizen Award 2023, as announced during the Freedom Ball organized by the Freedom Institute.
“Freedom is a great value for us. It involves responsibility for the community, for our environment. That’s why we decided to establish this award and give it to a person who stands out in civic engagement, works for the common good, and importantly, is effective in these actions,” said Igor Janke, the president of the Freedom Institute, during the award ceremony.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Mateusz “Exen” Wodziński has been organizing the “Off-Roaders to the Front” initiative. He raises funds, buys, refurbishes, and delivers off-road vehicles to the soldiers on the front lines. So far, he has purchased 200 vehicles and, along with volunteers assisting him, personally delivered them to the front.
“Exen shows what an individual can do, how each of us can impact reality. Each of these vehicles means at least a few saved human lives—people rescued from deadly bombings, soldiers who survived thanks to swift transport, and Russian invaders stopped from killing more Ukrainians. Each of these vehicles is a lesser chance that the aggressors will advance,” said the head of the Freedom Institute.
Igor Janke emphasized that the Award Committee appreciated Mateusz Wodziński’s commitment, the effectiveness of his actions, and, importantly, what is crucial in today’s Poland and especially important for the Freedom Institute—actions beyond divisions.
“All of this would not be possible without thousands of donors who appreciate the transparency and purpose of my project, as well as volunteers who help me with the logistics of delivering cars to the front,” said Mateusz Wodziński, receiving the award.
The Freedom Institute awarded the prize for the first time this year. Candidates were nominated by graduates, lecturers of the Leadership School of the Freedom Institute, as well as members of the Institute’s Council and Board. The decision was made by the Award Committee composed of members of the Council and Board of the Freedom Institute.