A neighbour that helps

STYL A neighbour that helps Large companies provide work and income to many people and are the major economic pillars of the regions in which they operate. It is not just their economic performance that helps regions to grow and provide a better standard of living for their inhabitants, though. This is well noted by ArcelorMittal Ostrava, one of the strongest partners in the Moravian-Silesian Region, also in the areas of culture, education and the non-profit sector. During the 15 years since privatization, the company has donated more than 600 million crowns in support of the region. Employee grants as a flagship Long-term support is very important for charity projects. Therefore, the Ostrava steelworks has enabled its employees for many years now to win grants for their favourite non-profit organizations. In this programme employees nominate projects that deserve help. Since the launch of the employee grants, the company has divvied nearly 6 million crowns among 481 non-profit projects aimed at children, the elderly and the disabled in the region. Another long-term charitable project is Dance for Life, which takes place at the Festival in the Streets and Colours of Ostrava. This unique project, involving festival visitors, combines charity and entertainment. By imitating the choreography of a professional dancer, visitors score points that the steelworks converts into money and then donates to local beneficial projects. ArcelorMittal Ostrava does not only provide financial assistance to the non-profit sector. Each of its 7000 employees has the opportunity to spend one workday a year giving a hand to the non-profit organization they are engaged in. Thus, hundreds of hours are spent every year on tree planting, cleaning and repair work, wall painting, building pavements, cutting wood, and many other activities that the organizations may need. Investing in future employees ArcelorMittal Ostrava participates in a pilot project aimed at raising a strong generation of skilled workers. It supports the fields of study of machine mechanics and electricians at the Vítkovice Secondary Industrial School and the Secondary Electrotechnical School in Ostrava. Experienced experts from the steelworks are involved in teaching, so they pass on to students much of their experience. Students are rewarded for their 64 ǀ POSITIV 3/2018 work, and the company guarantees jobs in the future for the best of them. able to test the students and choose the best ones. The company is also cooperating with technical secondary schools in the region on many other projects. It contributes to the purchase of teaching aids and equipment for educational facilities, it is a partner to events such as the Mathematical Olympics or the Edison project for learning English. Students in the technical fields are offered paid practice in the steelworks during their studies. Culture as the cornerstone of a vibrant city ArcelorMittal Ostrava supports a number of unique cultural events and institutions in the region. It is the general partner of the Festival in the Streets, which is free of charge for visitors, as well as Colours of Ostrava, which has already gained international recognition. More than a hundred undergraduates can work on specific projects every year. This means that university students have the opportunity not only to get much-needed practice but see for themselves whether they enjoy the work. On the other hand, the steelworks is also The Ostrava steelworks is also the main partner of the Summer Shakespeare Festival in Ostrava, and a strong supporter of the Moravian-Silesian National Theatre, the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival and many others.