People and Communities
Aiming for Shared Value
Our Social Sustainability strategy and activities are inspired by Creating Shared Value (CSV) principles, focusing on education, mobility, volunteering and employee involvement, well-being, and diversity. We actively participate in both national and local initiatives and support the local community through the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to sustainable business practices and community engagement.
Empowering through education
At Škoda Auto, our commitment to education is reflected in our longstanding tradition of establishing educational institutions, beginning with the Škoda Auto Vocational School in 1927. The founding of the Škoda University in 2000 and the Škoda Academy in 2013 further underline our mission to support and strengthen education. We collaborate with schools, universities, and teachers to promote technical and digital education through various initiatives like the Science Has a Future programme, the mobile laboratory EDU.LAB, Technology Olympiad and others. Within the company, employees are encouraged to enhance their professional competencies, for instance through comprehensive training programmes administered by the Škoda Academy.
Barrier-free and safe mobility for everyone
We’re dedicated to ensuring accessible and safe mobility for everyone, particularly focusing on drivers with disabilities and vulnerable road users. We promote road safety through initiatives such as the Bezpečný pátek (Safe Friday) project and educate children and driving school instructors on road safety through the Traffic Safety programme and Start Driving project. Additionally, Škoda Handy assists individuals with disabilities through specialist financing, insurance and vehicle modifications. Collaborations with organisations like Cesta za snem and the Czech Paraplegic Association further support people with disabilities. We’ve also implemented two grant programmes, aiding individuals in obtaining driver's licenses and assisting athletes with disabilities to purchase specialised bicycles.
Barrier-free and safe mobility for everyone
We’re dedicated to ensuring accessible and safe mobility for everyone, particularly focusing on drivers with disabilities and vulnerable road users. We promote road safety through initiatives such as the Bezpečný pátek (Safe Friday) project and educate children and driving school instructors on road safety through the Traffic Safety programme and Start Driving project. Additionally, Škoda Handy assists individuals with disabilities through specialist financing, insurance and vehicle modifications. Collaborations with organisations like Cesta za snem and the Czech Paraplegic Association further support people with disabilities. We’ve also implemented two grant programmes, aiding individuals in obtaining driver's licenses and assisting athletes with disabilities to purchase specialised bicycles.
Focusing on employee well-being
At Škoda Auto, we regard people as our most valuable asset. Our Social Sustainability strategy is centred on well-being, emphasising our employees’ life satisfaction and good physical and mental health. While the Soul Matters campaign and mental health courses are becoming increasingly popular, we’re also developing ergonomics and physiotherapy programmes. In 2023, we launched the new ‘Škoda stresu’ (Mastering Stress with Škoda) website to help visitors better understand stress and learn effective coping strategies, alongside the ‘Na zdraví záleží’ (Health Matters) campaign focused on preventing lifestyle-related diseases and the most common illnesses. Outside the company, we actively promote the well-being of disadvantaged children, our longest cooperation in this focus area being with the Medical Clown organisation. Acknowledging our social responsibilities, we took a decisive step in 2018 by founding the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund, targeting sustainable growth in the regions of Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny, and Vrchlabí.
Encouraging volunteering and employee engagement
Volunteering is deeply rooted in our history at Škoda Auto, where we promote skill-based volunteering through employee working groups and volunteer communities. Our approach to volunteering rests on three pillars: large-scale events, small-scale activities and ad hoc support. The company also encourages financial donations and has been a key partner in the national Clean Up Czechia campaign. Since 2007, the Škoda Trees programme has been tied to car sales, but the grant scheme is now evolving to further promote biodiversity. Coordinated support for volunteering is managed through the Škoda Volunteers employee group, with small-scale events encompassing tree planting and charity work. Our employees also have the opportunity to donate money to selected non-profit organisations through the Employee Collections fundraiser programme. This supports 10 non-profit organisations via payroll deductions, and the company matches the donations. The underlying objectives include engaging employees in social sustainability, prioritising road safety, education, children’s welfare, and barrier-free mobility, all while contributing to both regional development and employee well-being.
Encouraging volunteering and employee engagement
Volunteering is deeply rooted in our history at Škoda Auto, where we promote skill-based volunteering through employee working groups and volunteer communities. Our approach to volunteering rests on three pillars: large-scale events, small-scale activities and ad hoc support. The company also encourages financial donations and has been a key partner in the national Clean Up Czechia campaign. Since 2007, the Škoda Trees programme has been tied to car sales, but the grant scheme is now evolving to further promote biodiversity. Coordinated support for volunteering is managed through the Škoda Volunteers employee group, with small-scale events encompassing tree planting and charity work. Our employees also have the opportunity to donate money to selected non-profit organisations through the Employee Collections fundraiser programme. This supports 10 non-profit organisations via payroll deductions, and the company matches the donations. The underlying objectives include engaging employees in social sustainability, prioritising road safety, education, children’s welfare, and barrier-free mobility, all while contributing to both regional development and employee well-being.
Regional development and social responsibility
Škoda recognises its social responsibilities and actively works to foster sustainable growth in the regions of Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny, and Vrchlabí. To this end, the Škoda Auto Endowment fund was established in 2018, built on three pillars: philanthropic endeavours for long-lasting impact, strategic projects aimed at revitalising public spaces, and grant programmes designed to support civil society. Over the past few years, the fund has backed hundreds of projects in areas such as civic involvement, artistic advancement, educational reform, and social services. Additionally, in collaboration with partners, the fund has been instrumental in initiatives to protect historical sites and rejuvenate public areas. Through these efforts, the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund actively contributes to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals.
Regional development and social responsibility
Škoda recognises its social responsibilities and actively works to foster sustainable growth in the regions of Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny, and Vrchlabí. To this end, the Škoda Auto Endowment fund was established in 2018, built on three pillars: philanthropic endeavours for long-lasting impact, strategic projects aimed at revitalising public spaces, and grant programmes designed to support civil society. Over the past few years, the fund has backed hundreds of projects in areas such as civic involvement, artistic advancement, educational reform, and social services. Additionally, in collaboration with partners, the fund has been instrumental in initiatives to protect historical sites and rejuvenate public areas. Through these efforts, the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund actively contributes to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals.
Humanitarian aid
Our core values include being compassionate and helping wherever we can. In response to a devastating tornado in South Moravia, we provided 7.3 million CZK, cars, and bicycles to support the region. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked with our Škoda X subsidiary (previously known as DigiLab) to supply 10 vehicles to hospitals and loaned 10 Fabia Combi models to the Czech Federation of Food Banks for food distribution. We additionally supported 100 medical and social services by donating 100 Škoda Octavia models. In Ukraine, we’ve sent more than 20 million CZK in direct financial aid, material assistance, and logistical support. We’ve also provided financial assistance, educational initiatives, and mental health support to help socialise Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic. In collaboration with Volkswagen Passenger Cars, we have provided container homes to shelter employees and families of Group importers affected by the earthquake that struck southern and central Turkey in February 2023. These humanitarian efforts were made possible largely thanks to the Škoda Auto Endowment fund.
Humanitarian aid
Our core values include being compassionate and helping wherever we can. Škoda Auto has provided significant humanitarian relief in Ukraine, South Moravia, and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to a devastating tornado in South Moravia, we provided 7.3 million CZK, cars, and bicycles to support the region. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked with our DigiLab subsidiary (now known as Škoda X) to supply 10 vehicles to hospitals and loaned 10 Fabia Combi models to the Czech Federation of Food Banks for food distribution. We additionally supported 100 medical and social services by donating 100 Škoda Octavia models. In Ukraine, we’ve sent more than 20 million CZK in direct financial aid, material assistance, and logistical support. We’ve also provided financial assistance, educational initiatives, and mental health support to help socialise Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic. Together with Volkswagen Passenger Cars we have also provided container homes to shelter employees and families of Group importers after the earthquake which hit parts of Turkey. These humanitarian efforts were made possible largely thanks to the Škoda Auto Endowment fund.