In 2024, the second edition of the Sustainable Development Grant Competition took place (announced from May to mid-June). CZK 350,000 was allocated for the call.

A total of 16 submitted projects were evaluated by an expert committee consisting of:

Mgr. Kristýna Bubeníková, Chair of the Commission for the Third Role of the CU AS

Dana Kapitulčinová, Ph.D., CU Environment Centre

Mgr. Martin Maňásek, CU Bursar

Mgr. Zuzana Poláková, Head of CU Point

Mgr. Ing. Nikola Rusová, CU Sustainable Development Manager

Ing. Lenka Henebergová, Member of the Rector’s Board for Social Affairs and Sustainable Development.

A total of 13 projects were shortlisted. Two of the projects were subsequently terminated for organizational reasons. Of the remaining projects, seven were fully supported and four had their budgets adjusted. Depending on the size of the budget, the second half of the grant is paid after the final report is submitted. This year’s winning projects include:

• Journey to the Dream - The Bicycle Connects

  The cycling challenge aimed at the integration of disabled people was accepted by the students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (FPES), led by Jan Štejnar, and they are the first student team to draw attention to the importance of sports, regardless of any disadvantage through their participation and film documentation. In addition to the social and health dimension of sustainability, the project contributes by using second-life bikes. They want to further motivate the students to use bicycles more often as a safe means of transport.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 20,000.

  
  

  

• Blue and green

  The creation of a community garden has involved students from the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, which will provide an opportunity for informal meetings between students and academics, as well as a space for teaching phytotherapy. The plants will be taken care of in collaboration with the staff of the Dean’s Office. The garden will contribute to the wellbeing and biodiversity of the campus and the education of visitors. The main investigator of the project is MUDr. Michal Jirásko.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 60,000.

  
  

  

• International Film Festival of Audiovisual Theory Students Zlatý Voči 2024

  Under the leadership of Rudolf Jan Suchý (Faculty of Arts), a large team from the Department of Film Studies at the faculty organized the 29th edition of the film festival, which popularizes audiovisual production. This year’s edition went under the motto “green-filming”, i.e. sustainable film events, and included lectures and discussions on sustainability and eco-criticism. An added value of the festival was the selection of sustainable sponsors.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 30,000.

• Extension of the Hofmanka Permaculture Garden

  The “jungle” in front of the Faculty of Humanities (FH) building has already been transformed into a permaculture garden with beehives and is a popular place to spend free time. To make the garden more sustainable in the long term, a garden house/trailer with a wood shed and gardening equipment was purchased. Ondřej Koc and Antonín Vávra (both from the FH) continue to be the principal investigators.

  The project was supported by a total of CZK 60,000.

• Room for Students

  Under the leadership of Lucie Krajčiříková, a leisure room for students was created at the Hussite Theological Faculty (HTF), which can also be used for workshops or seminars. In addition to the development of the wellbeing of HTF students, the room fulfils other aspects of sustainability with its equipment. All of the equipment is second-hand and was purchased at no cost.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 6,000.

  
  

  

• Pedagogical Community Garden

  The centre of Prague was enlivened by a community herb garden in the courtyard of the Faculty of Education. The garden is freely accessible to all students and will provide not only herbs for their own use, but also a practical demonstration of how to use the school space. The space was provided by a student association of which the principal investigator Jitka Gregorová is a member.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 23,000.

  
  

  

• SWAP – Supporting the circulation of things that can be put to further use

  Anna Mírková and her team from the FH decided to offer a place for sharing and exchanging used items. The space will be permanent and freely accessible to all students who want to give things a second life and will offer the opportunity for workshops on circular economy and re-use.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 6,500.

• Sustainable food

  The project of Andrea Duchoňová (FPES) focuses on public education and fulfilling the third role of the university. Diet is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, but it is often a neglected topic in primary and secondary schools. Therefore, the project has held workshops at partner schools, during which children gained knowledge about sustainable and healthy eating.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 15,000.

• Green hub

  A barrier-free leisure room for students and the public was created at the FPES. It serves not only as an informal study room, but also to promote wellbeing, raising awareness of sustainability and mental health through educational cards. The equipment and plants were partly acquired second-hand. The project leader is Gabriela Bernardová.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 37,000.

  
  

  

• Bring me back into the game!

  Another project at the FPES was a charity bazaar for sports clothing and equipment to help reduce waste by reusing second-hand items, as well as to lower the financial barrier to purchasing equipment. During the bazaar, an accompanying educational programme was held. Anyone, including partner organizations, could donate equipment, and proceeds from the sale would go to a non-profit organization to support sports.

  The project is led by Klára Boučková and has been supported with a total of CZK 32,500.

• Sustainability in the sports sector - workshops

  Ecological solutions in sports were also dealt with in a project led by a student of the FPES, Štěpán Fulín. The educational workshops focused on environmental pollution in the production and use of sports equipment. Educational lectures were designed for FPES students and the public and information banners are placed in FPES buildings on a long-term basis.

  The project was supported with a total of CZK 21,000.