Social Responsibility and Community Support
Česká spořitelna understands its important role in developing and strengthening social responsibility. Through initiatives aimed at financial literacy, inclusion, and accessibility, we support the long-term stability and prosperity of the entire society.
1. Financial Literacy for Everyone
We are pioneers in financial literacy in the Czech Republic and have engaged over a million clients in our educational programs to date. We help individuals of all ages better understand their finances and prepare for financial challenges. Our programs include school projects, courses for seniors, and interactive workshops for entire families.
1. Financial Literacy for Everyone
We are pioneers in financial literacy in the Czech Republic and have engaged over a million clients in our educational programs to date. We help individuals of all ages better understand their finances and prepare for financial challenges. Our programs include school projects, courses for seniors, and interactive workshops for entire families.
2. Accessibility and Inclusion
We strive to ensure that our branches, products, and digital services are accessible to everyone, including individuals with temporary or permanent health limitations. In this regard, we are committed to regularly reviewing our procedures and adapting our services to meet the latest requirements for inclusion and accessibility.
2. Accessibility and Inclusion
We strive to ensure that our branches, products, and digital services are accessible to everyone, including individuals with temporary or permanent health limitations. In this regard, we are committed to regularly reviewing our procedures and adapting our services to meet the latest requirements for inclusion and accessibility.
3. Support for Communities and Volunteering
We support community projects and collaborate with non-profit organizations that bring about change where it is most needed. Our employees actively engage in volunteer activities, and Česká spořitelna also provides financial and non-financial support to projects that strengthen social cohesion and contribute to the sustainable development of communities.
In our effort to create a stronger society and assist those affected by unexpected events, we provided 60 million CZK in 2024 to help areas impacted by floods. Of this, 50 million CZK was donated to the SOS Flood Collection organized by People in Need, and 10 million CZK was allocated to support children and families through the Česká spořitelna Foundation. Our employees and clients also contributed an additional 50 million CZK.
For employees affected by the floods, we prepared special programs and offered clients the option to defer loan repayments for up to 6 months without registering in credit databases. We also provided interest-free loans of up to 2.5 million CZK for three months. We launched a dedicated website with practical advice for disaster victims and informed clients through emails and messages in the George digital banking platform.
Support was further enhanced by products like the ČS Preferred Mortgage with a fixed interest rate of 3.49% and the Renovation Loan from Buřinka, which were easily accessible across all our distribution channels. With minimal administration and transparent conditions, we ensured rapid assistance to those who needed it most.
Through the Česká spořitelna Foundation, we are building an innovative educational ecosystem that helps children and young people cope with the challenges of modern society. Since its inception in 2002, the foundation has invested over one billion CZK in educational and social projects that have positively impacted 2,800 schools and thousands of educators. In 2024, we invested more than 155 million crowns to developing key skills such as financial literacy, critical thinking, collaboration, and social competencies, contributing to the modernization of Czech education and the improvement of the educational system.
One of the key projects is the new financial education program Skoala, building on the “Money Alphabet” initiative. This modern digital platform offers teachers interactive content, including videos, games, and methodologies that develop students' financial competencies in an enjoyable way. Since the program's launch, over 700 schools and nearly 1,500 educators have participated, and we plan to reach up to 1.5 million students across more than 2,000 schools by 2025.
In addition to Skoala, we have supported other educational projects such as "Day for School”, which connects education with practical experiences from various professionals, and Eduzměna, which brings innovative educational approaches to schools in other regions. The "Start Together" program further develops children's independence, responsibility for their education, and ability to apply acquired knowledge in practice.
We also support the development of entrepreneurship in collaboration with the Association of Enterprising Czechia, which works within the educational system and promotes systematic entrepreneurship education in schools. Additionally, we have created our own online educational platform, the Academy of Entrepreneurship, which offers essential information for aspiring entrepreneurs free of charge. During its first year of operation, more than 8,000 users registered and completed over 15,000 educational modules.
At Česká spořitelna, we have long contributed to improving the availability of quality housing in the Czech Republic. Through our subsidiary, Affordable Housing of Česká spořitelna, we focus on the construction of rental apartments designated for key professions, such as healthcare workers, teachers, and police officers, thereby significantly supporting regional development. In 2024, we invested 152 million CZK in this initiative, completing 254 apartments, with an additional 695 currently under construction. By the end of 2025, we plan to expand our capacity to over 1,000 apartments.
One of this year's successful projects is the Amadeus Residence in Prague-Střížkov. The apartments are primarily intended for employees of Motol University Hospital, Bulovka University Hospital, and teachers from the Prague 9 district. Another innovative project is underway in Žďár nad Sázavou, where we are constructing 34 apartments using prefabricated wooden structures. This technology reduces the construction time to just 15 months and significantly lowers operational energy costs and CO2 emissions. The project, supported by a grant program from the Ministry of Regional Development, serves as an inspiring model for cities and municipalities on how to effectively address the issue of affordable housing.
In 2024, through the “We Can Do More” and “Stronger Movers” programs, we supported active citizens in improving their environments and strengthening local communities. These initiatives, including corporate volunteering, helped us implement dozens of projects focused on enhancing public spaces, planting greenery, and organizing activities that strengthen neighborhood relationships. The We Can Do More program, carried out in collaboration with Via Foundation, enabled the creation of a community garden in Třinec and the transformation of the municipal baths building in Nový Bor into a multifunctional center. Each year, we allocate approximately 40 medium-sized grants and 20 to 30 microgrants, supporting up to six so-called large participatory projects every two years. In addition to financial assistance, we provide expert consultations and workshops that teach participants how to effectively plan, utilize local resources, and communicate their ideas correctly.
With the Stronger Movers program, we go even further. Active citizens can participate in a three-month development program aimed at enhancing their skills in community work, join a club where they share experiences, collaborate on further activities, and inspire other movers. We also organize participatory meetings that foster neighborly relationships and develop community activities throughout the Czech Republic. Supporting movers and neighborhood projects, in which we also engage our employees, is a way to contribute to building a stronger society. We believe that by connecting active individuals, sharing experiences, and providing adequate support, we can collaboratively develop local communities and bring about lasting changes that will benefit future generations.
In 2024, through the Prosperity and Financial Health Index, launched by Česká spořitelna in collaboration with the initiative Europe in Data, we provided a comprehensive overview of the state of Czech society in terms of economic stability, education, health, quality of life, and the environment. This unique tool tracks key indicators that illustrate how the Czech Republic stands in comparison to other EU countries while also helping to identify areas for improvement. We particularly focused on the topic of household financial health, which is one of the pillars of societal prosperity. The analysis revealed that more than a third of Czech households lack sufficient financial reserves to manage unexpected expenses, highlighting the need to improve financial literacy and promote responsible financial management. The index also pointed out regional disparities in education and economic activity among residents. Our goal is not only to monitor the current situation but also to provide recommendations on how to strengthen financial stability and overall prosperity.
The index results serve as valuable input for public administration, businesses, and non-profit organizations focused on improving the quality of life in the Czech Republic. Česká spořitelna also utilizes data from the index to support its initiatives, such as programs aimed at increasing financial literacy, promoting sustainable business practices, and investing in education. We believe that through the Prosperity and Financial Health Index, we can inspire changes that contribute to the long-term stability and better future of our entire society.