“’We are family’ is the focus of this year’s Prague Pride Festival, and one that also resonates with us at Škoda Auto. We are once again happily sponsoring Prague Pride because the Škoda family is deliberately open and inclusive. Diversity and inclusion are enshrined in our corporate strategy and in our Diversity Strategy 2030 because these are important ways we can strengthen our company. It also reflects the demographic range of our customers. As one of the largest employers in the country, we have a unique standing to be able to draw attention to the rights and needs of the LGBTQ+ community as part of the wider society we live in and serve.”
Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto
“Diversity is at the heart of who we are at Škoda Auto. Every employee is unique, and it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, with equitable opportunities and respect, regardless of age, background, religion, gender, family, or sexuality. By participating in the Prague Pride Festival and Parade, we proudly stand for diversity and equity, and against intolerance and homophobia. We are excited to once again be part of this important event, which helps raise awareness of critical issues impacting LGBTQ+ people, and we look forward to joining next year’s parade.”
Maren Gräf, Škoda Auto Board Member for People & Culture
Proud to support Pride – Škoda Auto as the official partner for the third consecutive year
From 5 to 11 August, more than 200 themed events and cultural performances highlighted diversity and addressed the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Centred around the theme of ‘Family’, this year’s Festival explored the evolving definition of family.
The Pride Parade was once again the highlight of the Festival: It started at noon on Saturday in Wenceslas Square before making its way through the centre of the Czech capital and concluding in Letná Park. Among the 60,000 participants were numerous Škoda employees, including members of the Škoda Proud ERG and, for the first time, the Škoda Auto Company Brass Orchestra providing the musical backdrop. The Festival ended with a large picnic in Letná Park, meetups on Střelecký Island, and various events organised by the Pride Business Forum, bringing a vibrant close to the week.
Supporting the Prague Pride Festival is a key part of Škoda Auto’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. In May, Škoda Auto participated in the European Diversity Month, an initiative promoted by the European Commission. This year’s motto, ‘Škoda Auto: A Place for Everyone’, underscores the company’s dedication to honouring each individual’s uniqueness and fostering an open organisational culture. Additionally, Škoda Auto supported the Pride Business Forum Conference, organised an internal event on LGBTQ+ topics for employees, and displayed rainbow flags at various company locations, further affirming its support for the community.
Diversity integral to Škoda’s corporate strategy
The carmaker has firmly embedded diversity, inclusion, fairness and equity into its corporate culture and actively encourages employees to get involved in networks like Škoda Proud. Established three years ago, this ERG focuses on fostering an inclusive working environment.
Since 2019, Škoda Auto has been a signatory to the European Diversity Charter, which advocates for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At the end of last year, the carmaker became a premium member of the Pride Business Forum, the largest organisation in the Czech Republic uniting LGBTQ+-friendly employers. Additionally, Škoda Auto endorsed the Czech ‘We Are Fair’ petition, supporting marriage equality, alongside related rights such as social benefits and childcare. This year, the company was recognised with the ‘Big Step Forward Award’ from the Pride Business Forum, in acknowledgement of its efforts to create an inclusive working environment. Details of all diversity initiatives are available in the latest Škoda Auto Diversity Report.