European Diversity Day 2025 – Diversity Charter Awards Announced!

May belongs to diversity!

It is traditionally the European Diversity Month, and its highlight this year was again the international conference European Diversity Day 2025, organized by the responsible business platform Business for Society and the national coordinator of the Diversity Charter in the Czech Republic. This year, the conference took place in the Fanta Hall at the historic Wilson Railway Station in Prague.

The conference connects leaders of responsible business, representatives of public administration, academia, and other organizations who jointly shape trends in the modern labor market. This year’s partners were CEZ Group and Philip Morris Czech Republic. The conference was held with the support of the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic.

"Diversity and inclusion are not only values for us at CEZ Group, but also a strategic commitment. We believe that diverse teams bring a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas – essential for solving complex challenges we face as an energy company. For a diverse environment to function well, we need to activate every individual and adjust the system accordingly. That’s why we decided to support this year’s European Diversity Day and the awards for companies contributing to sustainable development,” says Zuzana Šillerová, ESG Office, CEZ Group.

A highlight of the packed program was the awards ceremony for the 1st annual Diversity Charter Awards 2025. These awards recognize companies that foster open and friendly workplaces, where employees can develop their potential regardless of age, gender, family status, sexual orientation, nationality, or other differences.

"We support the Diversity Charter because we believe that diversity and inclusion are not just values, but key strategic pillars. Diverse teams promote innovation and lead to better decision-making. Openness to different perspectives and experiences strengthens our corporate culture, boosts employee engagement, and contributes to long-term prosperity. An inclusive environment ensures every voice is heard and valued – that’s how we unlock the full potential of our people and our organization,” says Altynay Tezekova, People & Culture Director CZ/SK, Philip Morris.

The 1st Diversity Charter Awards 2025 were held under the auspices of the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, and the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, Marian Jurečka.

Support and close cooperation also came from the Government Commissioner for the Roma Minority, Lucie Fuková, as one of the categories was announced under the title: ROMA Friendly Company.

"The Roma community represents hidden potential in our labor market. If we can create diverse and open workplaces, we’ll attract those who feel excluded today, even though they have skills, talent, and education. Social responsibility is not just a buzzword – it's a new way of doing business. It brings companies loyal and aware employees who appreciate being treated as equals. People fear what they don’t know – so let’s get to know each other better, connect, and enrich one another," said Lucie Fuková during the conference.

Diversity at the Crossroads

The program opened with Martin Dvořák, Minister for European Affairs, who emphasized that diversity, equality, inclusion, freedom, and human rights are not a given. Especially today, we must have the courage to stand up for these values.

The main panel discussion, titled “Diversity as a Value: And Why It Matters More Than Ever”, featured Irena Moozová, Deputy Director-General for Justice and Consumers (DG-JUSTICE), Zuzana Šillerová, Director of the ESG Office at CEZ Group, and Jaroslav Grygar, Senior Manager, Business HR and WEEC, Beko Europe.

The panel discussed the importance of diversity and inclusion as values that enhance quality of life, support social cohesion, and offer economic potential for employers and the labor market. The discussion was moderated by Klára Escobar, HR Director at MONETA Money Bank and 2024 TOP Responsible Leader in Diversity.

"Diversity and inclusion are not fringe topics but key pillars of European identity, strongly supported by the European Commission," said Irena Moozová during the debate.

A special guest joined online – Ivana Vagaská, Director of the Slovak Diversity Charter, who spoke about the diversity and inclusion landscape in Slovakia, including the challenges faced.

Another compelling speaker was Jaroslav Grygar, Senior Manager at Beko Europe (formerly Whirlpool Slovakia), who has been actively involved in initiatives to employ Roma communities in Poprad. This inspiring project offers marginalized individuals a chance to improve their lives through regular employment and social inclusion.

Jaroslav Grygar emphasized that hiring Roma workers is not a special initiative but a natural, proven approach. Roma employees make up 31% of Beko's workforce in the Poprad region, an area with high unemployment.

Stounman29 and Gypsy Spirit by Vojta Lavička

The program featured Stounman29, aka Petr Burda, with his partners Jiří Holzmann and Jaroslav Novotný, who shared sharp yet entertaining commentaries on life with a disability in Czechia. Renowned Roma musician and composer Vojta Lavička and Gypsy Spirit got the whole hall dancing with their amazing music.

The Diversity Charter Welcomes 4 New Signatories

A traditional part of the program is the ceremonial joining of new Diversity Charter signatories. In the presence of Irena Moozová, Deputy Director-General for Justice and Consumers, the following companies officially signed the Diversity Charter:

• CPL Jobs s.r.o.

• DHL Supply Chain s.r.o.

• Herbacos Recordati s.r.o.

• SAZKA a.s.

Diversity Charter Awards 2025

The event culminated in the awards ceremony of the 1st Diversity Charter Awards 2025, honoring companies that support inclusive and open workplaces. Since 2014, over 130 organizations across sectors have signed the Diversity Charter in the Czech Republic – from multinational corporations and major domestic companies to SMEs and some public institutions. Together, these organizations employ over 200,000 people. The Diversity Charter has become an important platform shaping labor market trends.

The Diversity Charter Awards 2025 were granted in four categories. A total of 26 companies submitted 44 projects, which were evaluated by independent expert juries.

European Diversity Charter Award

• 1st place: Raiffeisenbank a.s. for the project “Moms and Dads With Us 2025+”

• 2nd place: DHL Supply Chain s.r.o. for the project “Silent Shift”

• 3rd place: UNIQA Management Services, s.r.o. for the project “First Aid for Mental Health” and Ikea Czech Republic s.r.o. for the project “Enabling Decent Work for People with Disabilities at IKEA”

Special Award: Škoda Auto a.s. for the project “Intergenerational Cooperation at ŠKODA AUTO: A Systemic Approach to Age Diversity”

Diversity Charter Award – ROMA Friendly Company

• 1st place: Vodafone Czech Republic a.s. for the project “REACH – Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage”

• 2nd place: Wienerberger s.r.o. for the project “Career Counseling for Disadvantaged Students in Cooperation with the Albatros Foundation”

• 3rd place: Ikea Czech Republic s.r.o. for the project “Diversity – A Door to IKEA for Everyone”

Special Award: Klepierre Management Czech Republic s.r.o. for the project “Klepierre and Palaestra: Inclusion in Motion”

Diversity Charter Award – Women-Friendly Company

• 1st place: Infosys (Czech Republic) Limited s.r.o. for the project “Empower with Care”

• 2nd place: Iveco Czech Republic, a.s. for the project “Expand Your Outfit – Join Us, We’re Running at Full Speed… Even in Heels!”

• 3rd place: MONETA Money Bank, a.s. for the project “Supporting Gender Diversity at MONETA”

Special Award: Vodafone Czech Republic a.s. for the project “Women in RED”

Diversity Charter Award – Intergenerationally Inclusive Company

• 1st place: Vodafone Czech Republic a.s. for the project “We Support Colleagues Through Various Life Situations and Stages”

• 2nd place: MONETA Money Bank, a.s. for the project “Intergenerational Dialogue and MON Care and MON NET Initiatives”

• 3rd place: Albert Czech Republic s.r.o. for the project “YAD & Experienced Albert – Intergenerational Dialogue as the Foundation of Company Culture”

Special Award: Česká spořitelna, a.s. for the project “Future Mindset Board”

Congratulations to all the responsible companies for their outstanding results in the first year of the Diversity Charter Awards 2025. We sincerely applaud all the awarded organizations!

Business for Society is the largest platform for responsible and sustainable business in the Czech Republic. It brings together companies committed to sustainable development. Through our international networks, we track emerging sustainability trends, localize global standards, and open important topics for Czech companies. We are the National Partner Organization of CSR Europe, the European business network engaging over 10,000 companies in sustainable practices. With support from the European Commission and DG Justice, we also serve as the national coordinator of the European Diversity Charter. Our member companies are leaders in sustainability and responsibility. We help them integrate these values into the core of their business, foster dialogue with stakeholders, and promote the sharing of best practices.