Prague Airport aims to be a good and responsible neighbor. It actively supports important projects in the nearby areas through clear and open grant programs. This year, it provided 34 million crowns in financial assistance to local communities, especially those impacted by the main runway’s closure during the summer months.
The Good Neighbour Grant Programme Provided 15 Million Crowns to Local Communities
This year’s Good Neighbour grant program has aided various local projects including building a solar power plant at a municipal preschool, repairing an inline skating track, creating a rest area for tourists with a roof, and organizing an autumn folklore festival. In total, 15 million crowns were distributed to support 87 different initiatives.
Prague Airport received 147 eligible applications this year. A committee, consisting of members from local municipalities (including the Chairman of the Prague Airport Region association), chose 87 projects to receive funding. Besides the projects already mentioned, this year’s supported initiatives also included the renovation of the Sokolovna building’s floors in Únětice, purchasing tents for community events in Dědina, and building a traffic playground for children in Jeneč.
“We are happy to have the opportunity to support our neighbors with engaging projects this year. We believe it’s important to invest in areas affected by airport activities. This year, we distributed a smaller amount compared to previous years since we provided an additional 10 million during the summer to areas impacted by the runway closure,” stated Jiří Kraus, Vice Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors.
The Good Neighbour grant program aims to promote projects across various fields, including culture, education, youth protection, sports, and the conservation of animals and nature. Municipalities and city districts around Václav Havel Airport Prague, as well as public benefit organizations operating in these areas, are eligible for financial support. This program has been in place since 2007, with a brief pause during the Covid pandemic, and has funded nearly 800 projects totaling over 180 million crowns.
You can find a complete list of supported projects on our website here.
Almost Three Million to Strengthen Biodiversity
Three years into its establishment, the Biodiversity grant program has become a standout among the grants that Prague Airport offers each year. This year’s program has also provided support for various nature conservation projects. From 18 applicants presenting 20 projects, 11 were selected, and the airport allocated nearly three million crowns in total.
“The Biodiversity grant program is a significant component of Prague Airport’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. It serves as a localized yet effective means of supporting biodiversity and water retention in the areas surrounding the airport,” explained Soňa Hykyšová, the Director of Environment, Sustainability, and ESG at Prague Airport.
This year’s projects included landscape regeneration efforts such as restoring the orchard at the Ruzyne cemetery, protecting soil from erosion by stabilizing trees along the Kopaninsky stream, as well as projects focused on effective stormwater management and creating environments for pollinators. Some initiatives also emphasized environmental education for children and students.
A comprehensive list of projects supported through the Biodiversity program can be found on our website here.
A Total of 6 Million Crowns to Language Learning for Children Donated by the Airport
Following the motto “practice makes perfect,” Prague Airport funds foreign language education with native speakers as part of the regular school curriculum. The airport also contributes to children’s language excursions abroad. Financial support is provided to schools near the airport through language programs run by airport partners. This language support initiative has been in place since 2006. This year, six million crowns were allocated for the program.