VUB Foundation gives €300k to help children

Once again this year, nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping children with disabilities can apply for grants from the VÚB Foundation, which will distribute a total of 300,000 euros through two programs. For the third consecutive year, the Foundation is continuing to support the improvement of conditions and the creation of a better environment for the development of children and young people with autism, physical disabilities, or other health challenges. The deadline for submitting applications for both programs is May 20.

The “Every Child Has a Chance” Grant Provides Support for Children with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders

The “Every Child Has a Chance” grant program provides support to organizations in Slovakia that systematically improve the lives of children born with developmental or behavioral disorders.

Specialized nonprofit organizations, early intervention centers, low-threshold centers, recreational centers, social service facilities (DSS), and centers for children and families are eligible to apply for the grant.

Applicants may submit projects aimed at simplifying access to proven and innovative therapeutic treatments for children with health disabilities and supporting them in developing their skills. The aim is also to encourage the exploration of new avenues for the personal development of these children, for example by involving them in targeted leisure activities that contribute to a happy and fulfilling childhood. All grant applications must be focused on providing targeted assistance to children and young people up to the age of 18. The Foundation has allocated 100,000 euros for this program; the maximum amount of a single grant that applicants may apply for is 10,000 euros. Last year, the “Every Child Has a Chance” program received 93 applications, of which 14 were awarded grants.

The “At Their Own Pace” program will provide grants for assistive devices, rehabilitation, and therapy

The purpose of the “At Their Own Pace” grant program is to support organizations that provide rehabilitation services, therapies, and assistance in securing assistive devices, with the goal of helping children with disabilities develop independence and lead fulfilling daily lives.

Through this grant program, the foundation aims to help children with disabilities achieve the greatest possible level of independence in their daily lives, whether at home, in the community, or at school. Grant applications must be focused on helping children with disabilities under the age of 18. The foundation has allocated 200,000 euros to this program, and the maximum grant amount that applicants can request is 20,000 euros. Last year, 61 applications were submitted under the “At Their Own Pace” program, of which 12 received financial support.

“For both grant programs, we are looking for projects with added value that will help children make progress and, at the same time, are unique in their ideas or implementation. We welcome grant applications from organizations operating in cities or towns where services—such as therapy or rehabilitation—were previously unavailable, forcing families to travel long distances to access them,” explains Lucia Luptáková, manager of the VÚB Foundation.

Charity Can Be Creative: An App for Donating Calories Received Funding

Last year, the “We Help Help with the App" project, implemented by the civic association Association for Assistance to the Disabled (APPA), also received support. It offered a creative solution for raising support from active people who, through their physical activity, converted burned calories into aid for disadvantaged children. The project sought to connect the stories of children and adults with disabilities with donors, while also teaching families how to share their stories and ask for help.

“The VÚB Foundation is one of the most important partners of the Association for Assistance to the Disabled (APPA). Together, we have supported many families with a child with a physical disability, thereby contributing to a better quality of life not only for the child but also for the entire family. If you, too, have an interesting project that helps where it’s needed, be sure to take advantage of the VÚB Foundation’s grant program. One of the mothers of the children we support confirmed that this makes a real difference. Thanks to a grant from the VÚB Foundation, her daughter was able to undergo another much-needed rehabilitation session. She has taken another small step toward one day taking her very first independent step. “Thank you for helping us help others,” says Miriam Juhanesovičová, chairwoman of the Association for Assistance to the Disabled (APPA).

Applications for support must be submitted online by May 20

The deadline for submitting applications for both programs is May 20; applications must be submitted via https://nadaciavub.egrant.sk/.

Supported activities benefiting children and young people with disabilities will take place from July through the end of 2026. The results of past social initiatives supported by the VÚB Foundation are highlighted in stories featured in the online magazine Srdcovky.