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 JA and Bata ; More than 30 years of partnership
“Education and entrepreneurship have always been keys to Bata culture. They come together in Junior Achievement’s mission to bring the real world to students and as such broadening their horizons. Since 1989, we are proud to have contributed to raise the entrepreneurship spirit among more than 40,000 young people in Eastern Europe alone.” Thomas G. Bata, Bata Group Chairman.
 The relationship between Junior Achievement (JA) and the Bata Group goes back more than 30 years. Early on, in Canada, Mr and Mrs Bata were both engaged as board members and the company was a major supporter.
After 1989, when Bata was able to return to the Czech Republic, JA organizations were set up in Prague and Bratislava in 1992. Those are now among the best-performing organizations in Europe in terms of effectiveness and sustainability, together reaching close to 25,000 young people in 2005.
Bata went on to support the creation of a European regional office for JA, housed in the Bata founder’s home in Zlin, Czech Republic, and has continued to support local programs in several countries where Bata operates. Bata’s senior executives and their operational teams have been directly engaged in various JA projects in Europe. Indeed, initiatives such as JA need to become part of the company’s fabric with employees playing an active role in JA’s programs. This is where the educational impact comes from.
"Nothing means more to Bata than to see young people realizing their dreams and to see the JA network growing larger every day. JA has brought the “experience of a lifetime” to so many young people and must continue to do so.
Bata was one of the major drivers behind efforts to bring Western Europe (under the name “Young Enterprise”) and Eastern Europe (“Junior Achievement”) together as part of the same European and global network. This move has created tremendous momentum and excitement within JA. The result has been unprecedented growth in many JA organizations, 20% on average across the continent. In 2005 alone, JA-YE is reaching 1.7 million young people in 41 European countries at an average cost of 35€/student.
“The impact of Bata’s support on JA’s success story in Europe is virtually immeasurable. Without it, there would not be a European headquarters for JA, nor would many of the European Member Nations that this office has helped establish exist. Bata is an outstanding pioneer for JA, making a difference that will last for many generations to come.” says Caroline Jenner SVP Europe, JA Worldwide.
Mr Bata, honorary Chairman, Bata Group serves on the JA Worldwide board, while Mrs Bata is an honorary member on the European board. Several Bata senior executives serve on the boards of regional and local JA organizations.
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