FROM THE NATIONAL THEATRE TO BLOOD FOR LIFE: 10 YEARS OF GIVING TUESDAY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

1/8/2026

Giving Tuesday, the global movement of generosity and good deeds, took place in the Czech Republic for the tenth time this year. Over the past decade, hundreds of thousands of people, companies, and organizations have joined in, carrying out more than 2,600 giving challenges and acts of kindness and donating over CZK 500 million. Support most often went to children, people with disabilities, seniors, and in recent years also to people in need and animals.

Giving Tuesday was brought to the Czech Republic in 2016 by the Association of Social Responsibility, which over the past ten years has, among other things, illuminated Petřín Lookout Tower and the National Theatre, distributed 8,000 pralines in the streets, published a book, presented the Giving Tuesday Awards, and welcomed the founder of the movement, Henry Timms, in Czechia. The growing willingness of Czechs to help others is also confirmed by a recent Ipsos survey.

“The tenth edition of Giving Tuesday in the Czech Republic is behind us. It is wonderful to see how the culture of generosity and solidarity has gradually become part of our everyday lives. When we started in 2016, I would never have imagined that we could inspire so many individuals, schools, companies, and nonprofit organizations to give and volunteer. My wish is that the culture of giving in the Czech Republic continues to grow, that help is accessible and visible, and that everyone knows even a small good deed can change lives,” says Lucie Mádlová, founder and director of the Association of Social Responsibility, which coordinates Giving Tuesday in the Czech Republic. She adds: “I see the magic of Giving Tuesday in humanity in its most natural gestures. It is a reminder that even when the world is not always easy, hope still lives within it.”

This year marked by blood

This year’s Giving Tuesday focused on blood donation. As part of the joint challenge A Good Deed in your Blood by the Association of Social Responsibility and the Ministry of Health, people donated a total of 155 liters of blood, which in practice can save more than 1,000 human lives. Many organizations joined the challenge—from companies and the South Moravian Regional Authority to the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice and the Olomouc University Hospital. Nearly one quarter of donors were first-time donors.

10 years of Giving Tuesday: half a billion crowns and a visit from the founder

Over ten years, Giving Tuesday has become a symbol of generosity and solidarity in the Czech Republic. Hundreds of thousands of people, companies, and organizations have taken part, carrying out more than 2,600 giving challenges and good deeds and donating over half a billion Czech crowns. Support most often went to children, people with disabilities, seniors, and in recent years also to people in need and animals.

Key milestones of Giving Tuesday in the Czech Republic

  • 2025: Historic Giving Tuesday Awards honoring the greatest acts of kindness over 10 years of Giving Tuesday. Publication of the book Giving Tuesday: How Giving Tuesday Transformed the Czech Republic. The first blood donation initiative, collecting 155 liters of blood that can save more than 1,000 lives. A record was also set on the Darujme.cz platform, where up to CZK 8,322,911 was raised as part of Giving Tuesday.
  • 2024: 8,000 pralines distributed in 10 Czech cities with 100 ADRA volunteers.
  • 2021: Illumination of the National Theatre as a symbol of the most generous public fundraising campaign in Czech history.
  • 2020: Light for Doctors – distribution of food packages to healthcare workers and illumination of hospitals.
  • 2019: Illumination of Petřín Lookout Tower as a symbol of good.
  • 2018: Visit by Giving Tuesday founder Henry Timms.

Generosity among Czechs is growing, Ipsos research confirms

According to the latest Ipsos research, 83% of Czechs consider helping others to be a personally important value—once again slightly more than last year.

  • 83% of people engaged in some form of helping
  • 41% donated goods, 41% purchased a product whose proceeds supported a good cause
  • 40% donated money (mostly impulsively – 67%)
  • Most common causes: children (41%), animals (31%)
  • 19% volunteered (up from 16% in 2024)
  • 77% believe the state should actively support donors and volunteers

The largest employee fundraising campaign in ČEZ history raised CZK 9.8 million on Giving Tuesday

A strong story of this year’s edition was the ČEZ Group employee fundraising campaign We Fulfill Wishes, We Care for Others, in which employees nominate people from their surroundings facing difficult life situations. This year, 2,231 employees—approximately every sixth employee—took part, raising CZK 4.9 million together. The ČEZ Foundation doubled the amount to a total of CZK 9.8 million, the highest amount raised in the project’s history and in the history of Giving Tuesday in the Czech Republic.

“Through We Fulfill Wishes, we were able to support 134 recipients, including 100 children. The most common wishes were assistive devices, personal assistance, and specialized rehabilitation or treatment stays. Another frequent wish was greater independence—for example through better wheelchairs, specially adapted vehicles, or IT equipment that enables people to work, study, or communicate with the world more effectively. It is an honor for us to help these people, and I deeply appreciate every contribution our employees donated this year,” says Michaela Ziková, Director of the ČEZ Foundation.

Giving Tuesday connects the world: a record USD 4 billion in the USA

Giving Tuesday was founded in the USA in 2012 and over 13 years has evolved from a single day of giving into a global movement. This year, 38.1 million people in the United States participated, donating USD 4 billion, and the total amount donated since the movement began has reached USD 22.5 billion. Giving Tuesday is now active in more than 110 countries worldwide and every year inspires people to do good, collaborate, and help one another.

The general partner of this year’s Giving Tuesday was ČEPS, with Albatros Media and the ČEZ Group as partners.

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