In the past temple builders were needed, but the present moment rather requires the building of partnerships. Every year, a wide range of partnerships is created thanks to us, even between entities that did not know about each other until then. In particular, partnerships between public benefit organisations, individuals and public administration have real impact on the quality of our lives. The work at the Endowment Fund represents a great responsibility to the historical legacy of our founders, but also to all the inhabitants, who we care about. Whatever we do, the important thing is that we are not just a donor. We are also a guide who enjoys the success of others.
I am a newcomer to the team, but not to the Mladá Boleslav region. My relationship with my home does not prevent me from being critical about it. I like the fact that the Endowment Fund is aware of the region’s shortcomings and cooperates with organisations which are working to eliminate them. It is my personal goal to give (not only) my peers, who are dispersed throughout the whole Czech Republic, a reason to return to the region. Mladá Boleslav really has a lot to offer. Being part of the team is a challenge for me, an opportunity to work on myself and to move forward with topics that genuinely interest me and really make sense to me internally.
A bridge is a symbol of connection. For example, of the two banks of the Jizera River or the two parts of the historical avenue divided by a motorway. At the ŠKODA AUTO Endowment Fund, we do not only support connectivity between real places in the regions, but also representatives of local communities, local ambassadors, representatives of public administration or non-profit organisations and of all citizens who wish to get involved in the development of our regions. We can do a lot alone, but together we can do even more.
The purpose of the activities of our Fund is not only to contribute financially to the development of projects, but mainly to support our partners from the ranks of public benefit organisations, communities, individuals, but also public administration. Our common goal is to combine the efforts who strive to change the environment in which we are living together. Our work can take many forms. Sometimes it is more important to support an idea to help put things in motion. The first step of any journey is always the most difficult, which is why we try to support all those who have the desire to improve their surroundings.
Our Hrdlička family has been a part of, not only ŠKODA AUTO, but also the Mladá Boleslav region for almost one hundred years. As a proud patriot, I believe that knowledge of the environment in which we live and the stories which are connected to it help us create the future. The coronavirus pandemic reinforced our view that it is crucial to strengthen the local cultural identity and sense of belonging. Last year we collected stories related to our region and its personalities in our ‘The Forgotten Stories’ grant call. The September exhibition in the Mladá Boleslav historic Pluhárna factory then was a beautiful celebration of our joined efforts.
As the Bursar of the ŠKODA AUTO University, I meet young people every day. The four students from Mladá Boleslav region who received a scholarship to study abroad won me over not only with their determination to work on themselves, but also with their ideas for projects to improve the standard of living in the region. Having studied and worked abroad myself for a few years, I know how important such an experience is. I believe that investment in education is the most valuable thing and that it is particularly necessary to support those who would not be able to afford such a trip.
As one of the largest employers in the Czech Republic, we believe that our responsibility does not stop at the factory gates – in fact, we want to actively promote positive and sustainable development in the regions around our Czech plants in Mladá Boleslav, Vrchlabí and Kvasiny. That is why we are investing a total of 780 million Czech crowns in local and regional projects – from transport, sports, and culture to urban development and safety. Recently, for example, we have revitalised a biotope, created new cycle paths and started building a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Jizera River in Mladá Boleslav. Our goal is to make the hometowns of many of our employees even more attractive and welcoming.
We at ŠKODA AUTO set up our External Sustainability Council with five sustainability experts from diverse fields. Their role: impulse generators, advisors, challengers to all our activities also for strategical outlook of our Endowment Fund. This same diversity of perspectives we aim to strengthen within communities in our regions – it helps us to push innovation and to understand strategical needs in terms of sustainability from a different perspective. The Endowment Fund became the essential tool which supports our regional communities to be more resilient and sustainable. We openly discuss topics around cultural diversity, exchange ideas and strengthen our human networks. Each of us has a story and therefore is unique. And it is this uniqueness that makes us a great, innovative and diverse team.
In cooperation with regional schools, we support the development of a culture in which children will be eager to learn. This involves investment into the development of teachers and headmasters of nursery and primary schools, whether in the form of domestic or foreign educational stays, sharing examples of good practice, or workshops focused on cooperative teaching or personal development. For example, during the virtual reality course, teachers learned to create simple scenes or basic interactions that can enrich their classes. Modern technologies have become a normal part of our daily lives and their proper use can help children with their development.
Reaching and engaging the young generation is one of our key ambitions to ensure sustainable regions and great investment for our common future. That is why I am glad that we managed to implement several projects that attracted the attention of children and young people. Among the most successful is the Maker Faire Festival, a holiday for all do-it-yourselfers and creators, in which the classic craft blends with new technologies such as 3D printing or robotics. Online sports tournaments, which followed on from the successful ŠKODA Gaming Day, are also very popular. Children not only have fun, but also learn about fake news or safety on the internet, and at the same time they can develop some of their competencies, such as the ability to communicate and cooperate with others.
For me, the most important thing is that my work is meaningful. Not only am I involved in projects with a long-term impact and help the development of the region where I live. I also work with interesting and creative people who inspire me every day. Thanks to the contact with them, my work is very varied and interesting. We have an excellent team – I can always rely on my colleagues.
It is impossible to pinpoint just one thing what work at the Endowment Fund means to me, but the first thing I would mention is the opportunity to be involved in the development of the place where I live. The work at the Fund is incredibly diverse, it brings opportunities to meet many inspiring people and experts from different fields. All this has really been moving me forward, from both the professional and personal perspective. This is also helped by a superbly put together and perfectly functioning team, where, in the words of Jan Werich: “he can do this and she can do that and all together we do a lot.