The Foundation has this year focused most of its attention on supporting people with disabilities with work – sheltered workshops and similar establishments have received in excess of CZK 9 million. “With respect to the economic situation and changes in legislation, this year is very difficult for sheltered workshops. That is why we decided to support the stabilisation and development of more than 30 sheltered workshops all over the country,” said Jiří Suchánek, OKD Foundation Director.
Within its programme For Health, dedicated to supporting medical and social services and integration activities, the Foundation will donate CZK 1 million towards the construction of a home for a foster family associated with the civic association “Filadelfie – Přístav Oldřichovice” in the city of Třinec.
The biggest subsidies to be distributed under the For Joy programme, which focuses on supporting culture, sport and education activities, went to the municipality of Stonava and the Marionette Theatre in Ostrava a for the organisation of the fifth annual singing contest “Stonavská Barborka” and for the preparation of the ninth annual international festival Spectaculo Interesse, respectively. Both organisations will each receive CZK 300,000.
Under the programme For the Future, dedicated to improving the environment in the region and caring for cultural monuments, a school in Karviná will receive CZK 800,000 for its “Eco-school” project. CZK 700,000 will go to Ostrava Zoo as a contribution towards its Papua display, which introduces visitors to the diverse nature of the island of Papua New Guinea.
Under its specific programme For Europe, which assists organisations to apply for EU-funded grants, the Foundation will support 24 organisations. The highest amount, CZK 300,000, will go to the Association of Municipalities of the Rýmařov Region [Sdružení obcí Rýmařovska] towards preparations for the construction of a bike trail from Malá Morávka to Valšov.