Cyril Gazdarica believed that the country’s future depends on educated and successful young people. Thanks to him, the Carpathian Foundation supports innovation in education—from children’s ideas to the development of practical skills that help young people find their place in life and in their region.
Behind the Cyril Gazdaric Endowment Fund lies the story of a man who, although he spent most of his life in Canada, never forgot Slovakia.
Cyril Gazdarica was the son of Slovak emigrants from Liptovské Revúce, who, at the beginning of the 20th century, left with him to seek a better life abroad. Although he grew up far away, his connection to his homeland remained strong. That is one reason why, in his will, he bequeathed a significant sum of money to support education in Slovakia. His vision was for young people to gain not only knowledge but also the skills that would enable them to lead better lives.
How was the fund established?
Based on a decision by the executors of his last will, the foundation received a pledge of funding and established the Cyril Gazdarica Endowment Fund in 2009. The funds, totaling approximately 830,000 euros, were received in 2015.
From the outset, the fund’s purpose was rooted in supporting the education of young people, but the way in which this purpose is fulfilled was naturally intended to adapt to the times. The executors of the will anticipated that the needs of both education and the labor market would have changed significantly since Cyril Gazdaric’s lifetime.
That is why we adapt the fund’s use to society’s changing needs—we manage donated funds not mechanically, but thoughtfully and systematically, so that they have the greatest possible impact. Our decision-making is based on data, experience from our own programs, and surveys of regional needs, such as those conducted as part of the Schola Ludus 21 project.
Developing the Talent and Potential of Young People
We now know that school curricula alone are not enough. Young people also need to develop abilities and skills such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, the ability to adapt to rapid change, and the courage to try new things. And it is precisely in this area that the fund plays an important role.
It is aimed primarily at high school students and at:
- support for informal education,
- developing the talents and potential of young people,
- connecting school with the reality of life and work.
The goal is not just to “educate,” but to help young people find their place in the region—so that they will want to live, work, and make a difference here.
Collaboration, creativity, and the courage to trust your own ideas.
One of the best examples of how the fund works in practice is the MyMachine Slovakia program.
Its concept is simple yet extraordinary: it brings together three generations—children, high school students, and college students—to create a real invention together.
How does it work?
- The children come up with their “dream invention,”
- College students will design it,
- High school students will build it as a working prototype.
It’s not just about the result. What matters most is the journey—collaboration, respect, creativity, and the courage to trust your own ideas.
The program teaches children that their ideas are valuable and can change the world, and helps students develop the skills they need to succeed.
The fund helped launch the MyMachine program with more than 100,000 euros during its first four years; today, the program operates almost independently throughout Slovakia and continues to grow.
Supporting More Powerful Stories
The Cyril Gazdaric Fund supports initiatives that have the potential to bring real change to education. For example, for six years, it supported the DofE (Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award) program, which motivates young people to work on themselves and grow. Thanks to the foundation, we contributed 105,000 euros to the program’s expansion in eastern Slovakia. In 2022, through the fund, we also began supporting the DASATO Academy, which teaches high school students to practically develop 21st-century skills and build a connection to the region. Thanks to the fund, we brought the program to eastern Slovakia and have supported it with a total of 46,550 euros to date.
In addition to various educational programs, we have also been supporting the Roma Spirit Award for several years, with a total contribution of 30,000 euros. The award helps change attitudes in society, strengthen inclusion, highlight positive examples, and support the education of young Roma men and women.
An investment in the future that pays off
Today, the fund serves not only as a source of support but also as a long-term investment. To ensure that the donated funds do not lose their value, we continuously grow the fund’s assets in accordance with the foundation’s investment strategy. This allows us to support even more meaningful projects and programs in the future.
A Story That Continues
To date, the fund has provided a total of 281,550 euros in support of educational and community programs. However, it is not just the amounts that matter, but the thousands of young people who, thanks to the fund, are given the opportunity to grow and build not only their own futures, but the future of our entire country.
Cyril Gazdaric’s story shows that even long after we’re gone, we can continue to help and change people’s lives for the better. If you, too, are thinking about what legacy you will leave behind, one option is to include the Carpathian Foundation in your will and thus support its long-term work on behalf of people, communities, and regions in Slovakia. If you are interested, please contact our Program Director, Veronika Miškech Fričová, at veronika.m.fricova@karpatskanadacia.sk