About
We started in September 2020 as a school project in Gdynia. Today we are a foundation.
Manifesto
The Baltic is one of the most polluted seas in the world. Eutrophication, plastic, overfishing, untreated wastewater, shipping, a warming climate. And yet stand on its shore for a moment, in the morning mist, with the smell of the water and a sound that has not changed in centuries, and it is impossible not to feel how beautiful it is, and how much it is worth fighting for.
What it lacks most is a generation. Each of these problems has its experts and its advocates, but the people who will live longest with the consequences of today's decisions are the least often part of making them. See the Sea exists to change that.
It began in September 2020 in Gdynia, as a school project in the Zwolnieni z Teorii olympiad. A group of students, almost no budget, and one belief: that you can talk about the Baltic in a way that makes people want to listen. Over the years that grew into regattas, runs, conferences and fundraisers, and in October 2025 into a foundation.
We do three things. We run lessons and workshops in coastal schools, grounded in science and in local context. We organise events that bring a community together around something specific. And we build a network of young leaders in Poland and other countries around the Baltic, so the model can travel, not just repeat in one place.
We work with scientific partners so that what we say is true. We work with young leaders so that what we do does not stop.
Our history
The project starts at III Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Marynarki Wojennej RP in Gdynia, as part of the Zwolnieni z Teorii olympiad. It is founded by Szymon Kwidziński (project leader), Maja Telszewska, Kalina Kacprzak, Natalia Jagiełło and Jan Kaliszczak.
A line of See the Sea tote bags and hoodies, with the proceeds going to the MARE Foundation. Our first fundraiser, and the first proof that the idea could raise real money for the Baltic.
Award for the best charitable social project in the Zwolnieni z Teorii olympiad.
A windsurfing regatta for the Baltic, organised together with Sopocki Klub Żeglarski, the Sopot sailing club. The sailing community around one concrete cause.
A distinction awarded to us by Gazeta Wyborcza for our engagement and work for the region.
A charity run by the beach, focused on cleaning the coast and on education.
A student scientific conference connecting young people with researchers and environmental activists.
Official registration of the foundation, to turn five years of grassroots action into systemic change.
A Baltic lesson programme at the Magdalena Abakanowicz Art School in Gdynia, delivered as a Leadership-in-Action Project with the Laidlaw Foundation. The starting point for scaling to more schools.
Team
President and founder
A former junior windsurfer. Now studies Economics, Finance and Data Science at Imperial College London.
Foundation Council
Has loved the sea for as long as she can remember; Władysławowo is her happy place. A fashion enthusiast. Studies Economics, Management and Computer Science (BEMACS) at Università Bocconi.
Foundation Council
Loves snakes and the seaside town of Puck. Studies International Law at the University of Groningen.
Partners we have worked with
