The Volunteer Programme Coordinator of Trenčín 2026, Stanislava Minárik Imrišková, has received the national award Srdce na dlani 2025, one of the most significant recognitions in the field of volunteering in Slovakia.
The Srdce na dlani award annually highlights individuals, collectives, and organisations whose work contributes to helping others and to the development of an active civil society. It has a nationwide scope and aims to bring visibility to real stories of people and initiatives with tangible impact. It recognises various forms of volunteering – from individual support and volunteer coordination to systematic programmes and projects with broader societal reach.
The award process takes place on two levels – first at the regional level, where expert committees select outstanding stories from individual regions of Slovakia in cooperation with regional volunteer centres, and then at the national level, where a professional evaluation committee selects laureates from the most prominent nominations. The award is presented annually by the Platform of Volunteer Centres and Organisations.
In the 2025 edition, Stanislava Minárik Imrišková received the award for her long-term, systematic, and strategic work in volunteer coordination, community building, and the development of volunteer programmes. In her practice, she focuses on creating an environment where people can engage, develop their potential, and actively contribute to what is happening around them. An important part of her work is connecting different actors – from volunteers and organisations to public institutions and partners.
Her work is closely linked to the Trenčín 2026 project, within which she contributes to building the volunteer programme, setting up processes, and supporting the community dimension of the entire project. Today, the volunteer programme connects hundreds of people of different ages and experiences, creating space for their involvement in cultural events, community activities, and international collaborations. Its functioning is built on daily coordination, communication, and systematic support for volunteers – from first contact and training to their active involvement in practice.
“I don’t see this award as mine alone – it belongs to all the volunteers I work with. They are the ones who give this work meaning. For me, volunteering is mainly about trust, cooperation, and the belief that when we give people space, they can do things that have a real impact,” said Stanislava Minárik Imrišková.
The national-level award also highlights the importance of quality volunteer coordination and confirms that a strong volunteer programme is built on systematic and long-term work. In the case of Trenčín 2026, it also represents an important step towards building a sustainable model for engaging people in cultural life in the region.
At the regional level of the awards, Trenčín 2026 volunteer Michal Pavlík was also nominated in the category “VOLUNTEER HELPING IN SLOVAKIA.” In 2024, the programme’s oldest volunteer, Mr. Milan Dužek, was also nominated at the regional level.
These nominations highlight the diversity and strength of the volunteer community forming around the Trenčín 2026 project and at the same time remind us that volunteering is above all about individuals and their willingness to dedicate their time to others.
The Srdce na dlani award thus brings not only recognition but also visibility to stories that would otherwise often remain in the background. It shows that volunteering has a strong place in Slovakia – and that behind every positive change are people who have decided to take action.
