ESDW: Experiencing Sustainability First-Hand
3. October 2025Tomas Bata University in Zlín has once again participated in a notable European initiative, the European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW). The associated five-day programme lasted from 22 to 26 September, and included a diverse range of activities centred around this year’s theme of Resilience and Balance.
Wide-ranging sessions and workshops were held throughout the week on physical and mental health and other topics. At a popular clothing SWAP meet, people even had the chance to exchange houseplants.
The University also oversaw the collection of items donated by students, staff and the general public. These included unused mobile phones, destined for eco-friendly recycling through the Re-mobil project, spectacles for the Glasses for Africa initiative, and toys and children’s books for the Re-toys non-profit organisation.
The TBU’s Refectory prepared a special menu of sustainable food. Every day, diners enjoyed healthy vegan meals “made to order” and nutritious breakfasts. Adventurous eaters sampled desserts featuring insect-based ingredients, which are considered the food of the future as they have a minimal ecological footprint. It was also possible for guests of the Refectory to take a tour of the kitchen, where they learnt about its sustainability policy and how hundreds of meals are prepared daily.
Martina Juříková, Vice-Rector for Internal and External Relations, commented that sustainability today is not only about ecology “but also about how we care for ourselves, our physical and mental health, relationships and communities. The ESDW affords an opportunity to consider even small changes to our everyday lives that could have a significant impact. And the University is a place where such changes can naturally take root.”
The entire week demonstrated that the Tomas Bata University takes its responsibility to society and the environment seriously, while remaining creative, open and focused on the local community.
