I engage in OSTRAVA 2009
A successful pilot project took place on June 24, 2009 in the Ostrava district. It was organised especially for the employers and non-profit organisations in the Moravskoslezský Region (in the Moravian-Silesian area). It was attended by 80 volunteers from the corporate sector from the companies ArcelorMittal, DHL, Siemens and Nadace OKD, regional journalists and 20 non-profit organisations. The project gained large media support in the regional press, radio and TV.
The programme in a natural way interlinked and developed the cooperation and relationships among local non-profit organisations and businesses. Not only did it help develop the community, it also boosted social responsibility, supported the reputation of businesses and helped improve the relationship among employers and employees.
Businesses involved in it registered an increase in the loyalty of their employees, work productivity as well as a positive motivation of employees for their work. The programme helped the volunteers to better understand the functioning of non-profit and community organisations in a broader context, it helped develop the employees' soft skills and increase their self-esteem and satisfaction in their current job.
The non-profit organisations found the participation in the programme as extremely beneficial. They were provided with labour, but they could also learn new skills and professionalise. For some of them, the programme initiated long-term cooperation and was an occasion to gain other supporters.
The programme "I Engage for a Better Life in Ostrava" was organised as part of the international project ENGAGE, one of the activities of British organisation Business in the Community. Its aim is to support the engagement of employees and enable them to help develop the community by doing volunteer work. ENGAGE Key Cities Programme is organised by the Donors Forum in the Czech Republic.