This year’s edition launched a new tradition with the announcement of the Voice of Diversity – Byznys pro společnost Award, intended for individuals, companies and organisations with an extraordinary contribution to diversity, inclusion and responsible business, not only in the Czech Republic. The first recipients of the award were: Pavlína Kalousová, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Asahi Europe & International, for her extraordinary contribution to the development of diversity, inclusion and responsible business in the Czech Republic
Beko Manufacturing, s.r.o., for its unique and long-term successful integration programme supporting the employment of Roma people in a large international manufacturing company. (The award was accepted in person by Michal Major, CEO, and Jaroslav Grygar, Managing Director of the company.)
Petr Burda, Jiří Holzmann and Jaroslav Novotný (@Stounman29) for their courage, perspective and inspiring humour, through which they break down prejudice and change society’s view of the lives of people with disabilities.
European Diversity Day 2026, including the Diversity Charter Awards 2026, was held under the auspices of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry for Regional Development, the Government Commissioner for Human Rights, Taťána Malá, and the Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs, Lucie Fuková. The event was supported in partnership by the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic, ČEZ Group and IVECO Czech Republic, a.s.
More information about the conference and the award results can be found at www.diverzita.cz, www.byznysprospolecnost.cz and on social media. We will share further information in extensive follow-up communication next week.
Media contact:
Iveta Markelová
markelova@byznysprospolecnost.cz
Byznys pro společnost
V Tůních 11, 120 00 Prague 2
www.byznysprospolecnost.cz
www.diverzita.cz
Byznys pro společnost is the largest alliance of companies promoting a responsible and sustainable approach to business in the Czech Republic. Through our involvement in international structures, we monitor new trends in sustainability, localise international standards and open up new topics that companies in Czechia should pay attention to. We are the National Partner Organisation of CSR Europe, the European platform for responsible business. In our role as the national coordinator of the European Diversity Charter, we cooperate with EU Member States and the European Commission on the development of diversity and inclusion in the labour market and in society.
We bring together major companies that are among the leaders in sustainability and responsibility. We help companies integrate responsibility and sustainability into the core of their business. We open discussions with stakeholders and support the exchange of good practice and experience.
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The Future of Work Needs Values: European Diversity Day 2026 Recognised Companies That Are Changing the Czech Labour Market for the Better. Voice of Diversity – Byznys pro společnost Award
This year’s edition launched a new tradition with the announcement of the Voice of Diversity – Byznys pro společnost Award, intended for individuals, companies and organisations with an extraordinary contribution to diversity, inclusion and responsible business, not only in the Czech Republic. The first recipients of the award were:
Pavlína Kalousová, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Asahi Europe & International, for her extraordinary contribution to the development of diversity, inclusion and responsible business in the Czech Republic
Beko Manufacturing, s.r.o., for its unique and long-term successful integration programme supporting the employment of Roma people in a large international manufacturing company. (The award was accepted in person by Michal Major, CEO, and Jaroslav Grygar, Managing Director of the company.)
Petr Burda, Jiří Holzmann and Jaroslav Novotný (@Stounman29) for their courage, perspective and inspiring humour, through which they break down prejudice and change society’s view of the lives of people with disabilities.
European Diversity Day 2026, including the Diversity Charter Awards 2026, was held under the auspices of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry for Regional Development, the Government Commissioner for Human Rights, Taťána Malá, and the Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs, Lucie Fuková. The event was supported in partnership by the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic, ČEZ Group and IVECO Czech Republic, a.s.
More information about the conference and the award results can be found at www.diverzita.cz, www.byznysprospolecnost.cz and on social media. We will share further information in extensive follow-up communication next week.
Media contact:
Iveta Markelová
markelova@byznysprospolecnost.cz
Byznys pro společnost
V Tůních 11, 120 00 Prague 2
www.byznysprospolecnost.cz
www.diverzita.cz
Byznys pro společnost is the largest alliance of companies promoting a responsible and sustainable approach to business in the Czech Republic. Through our involvement in international structures, we monitor new trends in sustainability, localise international standards and open up new topics that companies in Czechia should pay attention to. We are the National Partner Organisation of CSR Europe, the European platform for responsible business. In our role as the national coordinator of the European Diversity Charter, we cooperate with EU Member States and the European Commission on the development of diversity and inclusion in the labour market and in society.
We bring together major companies that are among the leaders in sustainability and responsibility. We help companies integrate responsibility and sustainability into the core of their business. We open discussions with stakeholders and support the exchange of good practice and experience.
European Diversity Day 2026 showed that the future of work is not shaped only by new technologies and artificial intelligence, but above all by the values with which companies use them. The conference in Prague recognized companies and personalities that actively develop diversity, inclusion and a responsible approach in the Czech labour market.
The Mothers and Fathers Welcome 2026 conference showed that the current parental leave system in Czechia no longer reflects the reality of families, the labour market or demographic change. The main topic was the need for systemic reform that would benefit parents, employers and the state.
Roma in the Labour Market: Companies That Bet on Inclusion Are Growing Today
The experience of Beko Manufacturing Slovakia shows that employing Roma can be a practical answer to labour shortages and a source of long-term growth. Equal conditions, fairness and respect are proving to be more effective than special programmes.
Innovations from Poprad – ROMA Friendly Company (Part 2)
An important element of success is an effective system of employee training and adaptation. Training centres play a key role here. Take a look at how they work at BEKO Europe.
Innovations from Poprad – ROMA Friendly Company (part 1)
More than 30% of employees at the Poprad plant of Beko Manufacturing Slovakia (formerly Whirlpool Slovakia, a major washing machine manufacturer) are people of Roma origin. This long-term successful model of inclusive and supported employment was the main topic of the professional working visit.
BPS – Byznys pro společnost, z. s.
V Tůních 1357/11, 2nd floor
Praha 2, 120 00
Tel.: +420 739 717 789
info@byznysprospolecnost.cz
www.byznysprospolecnost.cz
Co-funded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme of the European Union
