Our mission
The Association considers the inability to effectively implement the Sustainable Development Goals to be a very pressing problem today.
To this end, it aims to actively contribute to the alleviation of hunger, poverty, social inequality, lack of social cohesion, environmental pollution, sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of cultural heritage. It also aims to contribute to education, awareness and research in the above areas.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we have no political or religious agenda. Our sole focus is on creating positive change and improving the lives of all.
Impact and vision
• Providing general beneficial services, especially social, humanitarian, and developmental assistance to people in need both abroad and domestically.
• Supporting sustainable development, particularly sustainable production, consumption, and management of resources.
• Providing information on migration crises, the existence of armed conflicts and natural disasters, human rights violations, and related international
agreements, as well as activities harming the environment.
• Elimination of social and gender inequalities and promotion of social cohesion.
• Cultural and artistic development, including strengthening the role of culture and art in social, economic, and environmental sustainable
transformation.
• Education and awareness in the field of sustainable development and active citizenship for societal cohesion.
• Research in the areas of sustainable development, social cohesion, and cultural heritage; connecting art and culture with the needs of social,
economic, and environmental sustainable transformation.
• Culture and creative sectors.
• Supporting culture for sustainable economic development.
• Creating networks of organizations promoting culture and art.
• Nature and landscape conservation.
• Project management.
• Providing consultancy in the field of sustainable development.
How it all began...
The inspiration for Things of Dignity was a diploma project in the Fashion Design Studio at the Academy of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, Czech Republic. This project aimed to research the role and importance of clothing and its distribution in humanitarian aid in areas affected by various challenges. As it later turned out, underwear proved to be critically scarce among the essential items of material humanitarian aid that make up the so-called "dignity package".
Our journey began with research. We reached out to humanitarian organizations PLNU.cz or OPU.cz, which have experience with refugee camps in Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. We visited the warehouses of Moment-ops.cz, a charity second-hand store in Prague's Žižkov district that sorts donated clothes and discovered a critical shortage - underwear. Not only is underwear the most scarce commodity, but its distribution is also a hygiene problem. Many individuals, out of shyness or reluctance, are hesitant to ask for underwear, leading to underestimation of its scarcity, even though it is important as part of the so-called dignified equipment.
At this point, we were looking into options for starting our own production of underwear from special materials and production technology, but we soon ran into the problem that the price per single piece would be too high. And then it dawned on us. The best thing to do was find a way to distribute existing clothes to crisis areas.
Although we have not yet found a concrete plan for implementation, We're driven to tackle pressing issues like hunger, poverty, inequality, and pollution, while promoting social cohesion, sustainability, and cultural preservation through education and research, solely dedicated to positive change as a non-profit organization.
People behind the project
There are three people behind the Things of Dignity project. Martin, Renata and Agáta. Renata and Agáta first met during their studies at the Thomas Bata University in Zlín in 2013 as first-year students in the Fashion Design Department. Over the years they became very close friends.
Later, Renata's exchange studies in Israel led her to meet Martin, then a PhD student in energy law at Tel Aviv University. They met regularly for burekas, hummus or jahnun in the Kerem HaTeimanim neighbourhood where they both lived.
Upon their return to the Czech Republic, Renata proposed the idea of establishing an association and, with the support of Martin and Agáta, they founded Things of Dignity, driven by their shared vision of making a positive impact by using their skills, knowledge and international experience.
Contribute to a better future.
Things of Dignity z. s.
Lazy VI 6891 Zlín 760 01
thingsofdignity@gmail.com
+ 420 734 325 666
ID: 172 92 328