This year, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague will once again participate in the nationwide White Crayon public fundraising campaign through its Counseling Services Center. The campaign supports people with visual impairments. The fundraising day at the CZU campus will take place on 13 October 2026 as part of Student Organizations Day.
White Crayon is entering its 27th year. The nationwide fundraising days will take place from 12 to 14 October 2026, during which volunteers will offer the campaign's symbol – a white crayon – in exchange for a donation. You can contribute in cash into collection boxes or cashlessly via QR code. The recommended contribution for one crayon is CZK 40.
The proceeds from the campaign fund services that enable people with visual impairments to live more independently. These include, for example, training in spatial orientation and independent mobility with a white cane, guide dog training, computer and assistive technology training, and support with education and employment.
At first glance, losing one's sight may seem to mean the end of everything a person has previously taken for granted. Traveling to work, reading messages on a phone, shopping for groceries, visiting a public office, or simply taking a walk through familiar surroundings can become an enormous challenge within just a few months. That is why, for the past 27 years, the White Crayon public fundraising campaign has been helping people cope with such a major life change and learn to live independently again. It helps people rediscover the world after losing their sight.
White Crayon has traditionally enjoyed strong support at CZU
The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague also strives to ensure that students with visual impairments have the most accessible study conditions possible. Through the Counseling Services Center and its Counseling Center for Students with Specific Needs, we seek solutions that make education and participation in academic life easier for students with specific needs.
That may include adjustments to teaching and examination conditions, providing tests in enlarged print, psychological support, or lending assistive devices.
"There are currently 11 students with visual impairments actively enrolled at the University who use our support services," says Lucie Imlaufová, Head of the Counseling Center for Students with Specific Needs at the Counseling Services Center. She adds, "We do not take part in the White Crayon campaign merely to provide financial support. We also want to highlight that the independence of people with visual impairments is significantly enhanced by access to professional services, suitable technologies, and an environment free of unnecessary barriers. Participating in the campaign is also an opportunity to remind people of what we strive to achieve at our University: to create conditions in which people can study, work, and develop their potential regardless of their health condition or specific needs."
The origins of the White Crayon campaign at CZU date back to 2023, when one of the University's employees with a visual impairment was permitted to solicit financial contributions from colleagues in support of the campaign. A year later, the entire University became involved through student volunteering.
In 2024, CZK 23,911 was raised at CZU, while the following year, students and other volunteers contributed a total of CZK 17,107. This year, the initiative continues with the support of CZU Rector Professor Michal Lošťák.
"Taking part in the White Crayon campaign gives CZU students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in volunteering and charitable activities and to personally contribute to helping people who need support. At the same time, they can develop empathy, responsibility, and the ability to recognize others' needs – values that we consider an important part of their personal and professional development. I am pleased that our students are showing that university life is not only about studying, but also about taking an active interest in society and being willing to help where help is needed," says CZU Rector Michal Lošťák.
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