Welcome to the Foundation Veolia website.

Just a friend?

„My long-time friend became ill with multiple sclerosis 13 years ago and so I have the opportunity to observe the development of disease that gradually confined her to wheelchair,” says Eliška Poláková, MORAVSKÁ VODÁRENSKÁ.

Roska Olomouc organisation has regularly been organising reconditioning stays for more than 20 years. Currently, 30-35 persons participate in the project. The costs for the stay are increasing and the state subsidies are decreasing. Therefore, Eliška decided to help with searching for the sponsors.

Close Neighbour...

Mr Radek Brůha is a leader of water meter group in VODÁRNA Plzeň and has worked as a volunteer already for several years. He received MiNiGRANT VEOLIA in 2011 for the second time and that for an association which focuses on working with Romany children from socially excluded localities.

“I take part in this project as it seems unfair to me that some children are pushed aside just because they were born “a couple of blocks apart” or in a family with problematic lifestyle”, says Radek Brůha, adding: “In my opinion, if we do not help them, they will not be able to handle their future life without problems.”

Corporate Volunteerism

The Veolia Voda Group companies in the Czech Republic organise days of corporate volunteerism in which usually whole working teams participate.

Corporate volunteers work mostly outside; sometimes they paint the fence of Children´s home or children´s rooms in asylum homes. However, sometimes the good deed takes place in the boardroom of Veolia´s headquarter in Prague, as it was the case in November 2011. The whole day, more than 20 volunteers weaved the baskets, stringed the beads and glued paper ornaments to support the shop of the hospice association “Cesta domů”.

Magic? Playground!

Štěpánka Rottová, the officer of VODÁRNA Plzeň, is very active and in her free time she voluntarily works for her municipality.

“I joined this project already through convincing the management of our kindergarten to use efficiently the possibility of fund raising. I took part in selection of necessary equipment for children of different ages. We use the traffic signs also during the extra-curricular lessons and sports and social activities that are organised by several organisations in cooperation with the kindergarten,” says Štěpánka Rottová, wearing a witch costume.   

Volunteer fire-fighters

An eye-catching group is represented by employees who work in their free time as paramedics or volunteer fire-fighters.

Examples: Milan Kuchár (Dalkia), Václav Úchvata (Veolia Transport), Veronika Brůhová (Veolia Transport) or Petr Zatloukal (Czech Water - Veolia Voda), who helps to fire-fighters as a mayor of municipality Káraný. Thanks to MiNiGRANTS they maintain or renovate the facilities of volunteer fire-fighters units, organise one-day or multi-day events for children and train and train.  

Water Wells

The driver and machinist Radek Škrkánek from the company MORAVSKÁ VODÁRENSKÁ and his family have taken part in further water well mapping and exploratory expeditions to the river springs in Prostějov region.

“Water is life –there certainly is no doubt about that and not only for humans, but as well for plants, animals and all living organisms. The water cleanness and quality shows how clean and healthy our environment is. I perceive this all not only as a Veolia Voda Czech Republic employee, but also as a sympathizer of environmentalists and their commendable work,” says Radek Škrkánek at one of the water wells.

Mom and Racket

As a former professional tennis player, Martina Zichová, marketing specialist for Dalkia Czech Republic, organises together with the kindergarten Barevný svět in Olomouc courses of minitennis for children.

“I actively participate in the project. I prepare and teach all classes myself and for free. In my opinion, it is a unique opportunity for children of all social classes to become familiar with tennis, a sport even nowadays perceived as a sport of the upper class. Minitennis facilitates the harmonic development of children, develops their motor skills, increases self-confidence,” says Martina.

Once upon a time..

Miroslav Živný, the mechanic of Středočeské vodárny and vice-chairman of the Mšeno Embellishment association, managed with his colleagues to save a water well and to make it accessible to the public.

“Our goal is to make our environment more attractive and to save the surrounding natural attractions. Therefore we decided to save the water well in Mšeno and to make also other people familiar with its destiny. Children from the local school visit this area and 100 meters from the water well leads a tourist trail that is used by local inhabitants and especially in summer by tourists,” says Miroslav Živný.

Křesadlo (Flint and Steel)

Křesadlo Prize is an award for volunteers in the Czech Republic. The symbol of this Prize is a replica of Flint and Steel.

“Veolia Voda supports Křesadlo Prize in the long-term and takes part in awards ceremonies in Prague and other regions of the Czech Republic. In November 2011, for the first time, employees of Veolia Group companies were awarded for good deeds that they voluntarily do in their free time,” says Veolia Foundation Director Jan Dolínek.

Climbing Wall for Children

Jan Kuna, Severočeské vodovody a kanalizace, organizes in his free time climbing lessons on artificial walls.

„I applied for MiNiGRANT, because children in our town do not have enough opportunities to actively spend their leisure time. Therefore, I would like to offer them an alternative to sitting at computers or to smoking cigarettes on benches,” he says.

The members of the climbing club did not have more at disposal than a gym with wall bars and really needed a climbing wall. Its construction could not be carried out without the activity of Jan Kuna and our Foundation has supported his idea with great pleasure.

Dobroman in action

Children from the kindergarten in Opava don´t need to be afraid of anything. When they need help, they can call Arnošt Gross from Dalkia Czech Republic and he will come as fast as he can.

“After my son started to go to kindergarten in 2009, I became aware of problems not only of healthy children, but primarily of children with disabilities. I decided to help them more specifically than only by sending a donor SMS to an unknown number. Together with the director of kindergarten we created a children playground which had missed in this part of Opava for a long time,” says Arnošt Gross, smiling.   

Scout Jamboree

Pavel Král (water and wastewater technologist of Královéhradecká provozní) became a member of the scout club in 1990. From a common member I gradually became a leader of a scout group in Náchod where I am in charge of a scout group of 10-14 years old children.

In addition to activities in my “home” centre and scout club I also take part in larger projects within the scout organisation nationwide. With the support of Veolia MiNiGRANT I could partly co-organise the participation of scouts from eastern Bohemia in the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden.

Who plays, don´t bother

Mr Aleš Rataj works as electrician for Dalkia Czech Republic in North Moravia. In his free time he helps with organising competitions and creative workshops in kindergarten in Ostrava.

“The kindergarten wants to encourage as many pre-school children possible to devote their free time to sports, art or other activities so that they could develop their talent and skills. In my free time I like to help with competitions, because I can see children enjoying them and it is important to give the children possibility to be assertive and to show their strengths,” says Aleš Rataj.

Supermom from marketing

Mrs Vendula Valentová works as Veolia Voda Marketing and Communication Deputy Director. During the whole year she helps in non-profit organisation ´Centrum pro všechny´ in Nymburk, where she usually goes with her children.

“We prepare with other parents many events for healthy children and for children with disabilities – Children Day, Open Days, pirate parties, etc. The care about children with disabilities is very exacting and just imagine the hygiene at our scout summer camp! Therefore, I decided to apply for MiNiGRANT Veolia and thanks to that equip the summer camp with new barrier-free bathroom and toilet,” says Vendula Valentová.

Helping Paws

Martina Ebertová, manager of RAVOS economic department, started to support financially the organisation Helping Paws few years ago.

“Non-profit organisation Helping Paws focuses on breeding, raising and partnering assistance dogs with clients with physical disabilities.  They get not only the "bad weather friend" but also an invaluable partner, who can help them start their way to independence. A lot of us have a four-legged friend, but especially children with disabilities know that dog is man´s best friend,” says Martina Ebertová. Thanks to the MiNiGRANT Veolia 2011 she bought a petrol mower to help with regular maintenance of a rented plot of Helping Paws.  

Releasing the Trout

In November 2011, the first wild trout planting took place in Pilsen region within the project “Trout Way – Return of salmonids into European waters”. It is a joint project of Veolia Voda, Veolia Foundation and Jakub Vágner´s organization Freshwater Giants.

The project is scheduled for the duration of five years and about 4,000 trout will be released every year. This year, two and a half ton of trout have been released that should be according to Vágner hardier than the trout populations raised in conventional farms, because they come from the wild, particularly from a lake in Slovakia.

Summer Camp

Children with epilepsy can´t take part in a normal summer camp, but thanks to Pavel Semerád (laboratory leader of the company Severočeské vodovody a kanalizace) and the EPI Rodina association there is an alternative for them.

“When our daughter´s state of health allows it to us, we take part in events organised by EPI Rodina. I help Mrs Machová to organise summer camps for children who would otherwise have to stay at home. And of course, every child wants to experience some adventure during summer holidays,” says Pavel Semerád.

Auto Mechanic on the Field

For Petr Bartůněk, Veolia Transport, is football terminology really a heart issue.

He has taken part in organisation of pupils’ tournaments for 11 years. He also organised a tournament in summer 2011 in Sobědruhy for young teams from the surroundings of Teplice.

“I am the main organiser – I arrange the promotion, renting, referees, prizes and tournament participants. The time that I dedicate to organisation cannot be quantified. The preparation lasts several months,” says Petr Bartůněk about his volunteering.

Choose a Career at Veolia

Really interesting title and content of the project was handed in the selection procedure of MiNiGRANTs program by Tomáš Hrubý, the technologist of Prague Water and Sewerage Company.

I consider myself a sympathiser of a non-profit organisation Nová škola that I got to know thanks to my friend. Our joint project is aimed at children from socially excluded families who usually grow up in an environment where the importance of education and career is not perceived sufficiently. Their families often don´t put emphasis on motivating children to choose future profession. Therefore, I decided to offer the children and young people from ´Nová škola´ excursions to individual Veolia treatment plants,” says Tomáš Hrubý.

Horses

Mr Rostislav Brázda (Dalkia Czech Republic- Central Bohemia) is an active member of the civic association ´Stáj Fénix´.

"I love horses, nature and spending my leisure time actively, and that is why I joined this association. I am not an active horse rider, I ride only for recreation. My attribution to the civic association consists mainly in transportation of horses and young riders to the horse racings and in the aid with the development and amelioration of the stable facilities,” says Mr Brázda who bought with the support of our MiNiGRANT and with the help of other members of the association the needed building material and built new sanitary facility in stables in a small village Orlice.

Children Centre

Lucie Chmelíková, BČOV Pardubice, has been visiting babies in Children Centre ´Veská´ already for a longer time.

“While visiting the Children centre Veská and meeting with its management, I always see and hear about serious problems and therefore I know I want to help and pitch in as well. That is why I decided to apply for MiNiGRANT VEOLIA. Everyone can see here the maximum effort of ´Veská´ employees to create for children and mothers a foster home full of joy and love. Here, perhaps the need to help feel most people”, says Chmelíková about her volunteer motivation.

Wherever We Go..

Since 2007, Jana Žebráková (Dalkia Czech Republic – Nový Jičín) has voluntarily helped with organisation of an art group for children with severe mental disabilities. She helps as well with the administration of children transportation to school and with its financing.

“The school educates 60 children from the whole district. Volunteers established a non-profit organisation DĚCKO o.p.s. which complements the school activities and co-finances the transportation. Every year, two cars need to travel around 40,000 km and I am really glad that we managed to receive MiNiGRANT Veolia in 2011 to support this service,” says Jana Žebráková.

Clean Up the World!

Clean Up the World! is an international campaign. Within this campaign groups of volunteers are being organized all over the world and they clean illegal dumps, paths, parks, forests, rivers, streams, protected areas, etc. Every year, approximately 35 million volunteers from more than 100 countries take part in it.

The project also aims to raise public awareness about the responsibility for the state of the environment. Veolia Foundation is the general partner of this project in the Czech Republic and it has taken place here since 1993.

Trees Planting with Children

Ladislava Vicherková, Dalkia, decided to plant with kindergarten and primary school children coniferous trees in the polluted area of Beskydy.

“The goal of my project is to enable children to evaluate even after years the results of their work and to observe how the trees grow in the new environment of Beskydy and in the surroundings of their school. Even during their classes, they will compare where the trees flourish more. I will arrange bus transportation, conifers purchase, the date and locality for trees planting and we can set out,” says Mrs Vicherková who has helped the children, nature and all her environment already for several years.

Young Fire-fighters Bozkov

Libor Václavík of water supply and sewerage company Severočeské vodovody a kanalizace, a.s., succeeded in the selection procedure of the Veolia MiNiGRANTS programme with his project aimed at ensuring safety during the trainings of young fire-fighters working with fire equipment.

He became fire-fighter when he was a child. He started as a member of fire-fighters´ team, then he became a member of call fire-fighter unit and he was actively engaged in competitions. During the last six years he has been one of the leaders of young fire-fighters´ team. He devotes to this activity almost all his free time.

Help the Children!

The Veolia Foundation is significantly involved in the charity project Help the Children, which targets and long-term results meet the priorities and the concept of work orientation of the Foundation in social area.

The Veolia Foundation belongs to the key donors and partners of the project Help the Children. An important reason for the connection with this project, organised jointly by the Czech Television and Civil Society Development Foundation, is the common accent on volunteerism and active work for regions and in regions of the Czech Republic. The collected money from the charity campaign Help the Children are directed every year to all regions of the Czech Republic. The Veolia Foundation supported the charity project in 2011 also with a bus fleet on the routes of Veolia Transport.

Spokeswoman in action

Helena Koutná, MORAVSKÁ VODÁRENSKÁ, participates voluntarily in the project ATD.., which strives for integration of young people from children´s homes into society.

“I help with organization and transportation also during the programme itself. In my opinion, the project makes sense and is definitely useful for young people from children´s homes and can be well applied into practice,” says, this time for herself, the spokeswoman of water company.

This project includes multi-day seminars focused on sharing information, motivation, self-knowledge and practicing of model situations.

Dobroman and canoeists

Who else than water management technician should ensure the purity of watercourses. Thus Pavel Hofman from Královehradecká provozní, a.s. organises summer camps for children with the aim to clean the banks of navigable rivers.

“For several years, I have been a canoeing club leader. I guide children to a good relationship to nature and to recreational sport. Together we help to clean river Orlice and we organise cycling or canoeing trips. During the whole year we make all repair and maintenance work on our own and I am glad that I succeeded to obtain the financial support from the Veolia Foundation,” said Mr Hofman during the Křesadlo Prize Award in autumn 2011.  

Father Volunteer

Jiří Prázdný, the bus driver for Veolia Transport, was inspired for volunteering by his daughter.

„My daughter, Kateřina, has worked in shelter housing as a volunteer for four years. I learn about the wishes and interests of people living there from her. Therefore, I decided to help as well and accompany the clients to different events, or to help as a volunteer with the organisation of these events, “says Mr Prázdný.

We appreciate all colleagues who help in their free time as Jiří Prázdný. When they also cooperate with their sometimes small, another time already adult children, we are happy twice. It is wonderful news for all of us that parents are good examples for their children and vice versa.