Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
Tesco donated 13.4m meals in 2024, and has cut food waste by 81% since 2016
Tesco’s fight against food waste is also a win for the planet. (source: SME)
Supermarket chain Tesco Slovakia has reduced its food waste by an impressive 81% since 2016 and last year donated over 13.4 million meals to people in need, TV news channel TA3 reports. Nearly 95% of unsold yet still-edible food is now given to charities from the chain's 181 stores nationwide.
This effort not only supports vulnerable communities through partners like the Slovak Food Bank, but also helps the environment, saving over 71,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the yearly footprint of 14,200 households.
Tesco also encourages suppliers to reduce waste and promotes “perfectly imperfect” produce – e.g. fresh food that is merely irregularly shaped, but otherwise fine to eat – to cut food loss further. The company says tackling food waste is one of the simplest ways to help the planet.
Slovak entrepreneur raises €2.8m for breakthrough water purification tech
A Toronto-based startup led by Slovak innovator Diana Virgovičová has raised €2.8 million to revolutionise water purification using only natural light, the Start It Up news portal reports. Her company, Xatoms, has developed a technology that cleans contaminated water in just 30 minutes – without the need for pipes, chemicals or treatment plants – by combining quantum chemistry and AI.
Backed by major investors from Canada, Europe and Silicon Valley, the startup aims to bring safe water access to remote and underserved areas worldwide. At just 24, Virgovičová is already a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a rising name in deep tech.
An inclusive workplace in Slovakia gives hope (and jobs) — to the disadvantaged
Paulína Csápaiová at work. (source: TV Noviny )
TV Noviny shares a story about a Slovak social enterprise that is proving that disability is no barrier to talent. The company customises working conditions to fit employees with physical or sensory impairments, offering them tailored roles and flexible hours.
One inspiring example is Paulína Csápaiová, who was hired after enduring 15 years of having her job applications rejected due to a disability that affects her hands and arms. She can now handle admin tasks using her feet — even typing faster than most people with hands are able to.
Founder Lukáš Priškin says their goal is simple: give everyone a fair chance. “They are skilled people with hidden talents. All they need is an opportunity,” he says.
Some feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator for you to enjoy:
Participate in the Bratislava Cultural Summer and explore the richness of Italian culture.
A Slovak startup that is using AI to crush contract chaos has just raised €3 million to go global.
Scientists in Slovakia are helping to create ‘breathing’ glass. The FunGlass team is looking to tap the potential of smart windows.
Caught by the gravitational pull of Europe, Michael "Bryce" Bunner is rediscovering his Slovak roots.
From doubts to glory: Zdeno Chára is to be inducted into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame.
Craft markets, community events and culinary startups signal a vibrant future for the capital’s iconic market hall.
Meme of the week
Caption: So they accuse me of spending €150,000 on a ministerial limo, but the media won't write that the Austrian president travels by train!
Whoever knew that a president could buy a train?
This week's meme, from Zomri, alludes both to the somewhat ditzy image acquired by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (SNS nominee) – and to a criminal complaint filed by opposition party Slovensko over the purchase of a luxury official car for her. They suspect the public tender was unfairly manipulated. According to party leader Igor Matovič, while the ministry announced a tender for a new car, it accepted an offer for a used one – even though others in the tender were required to offer new cars. This, they claim, gave one bidder an unfair advantage.
Former Interior Minister Roman Mikulec added that Šimkovičová planned to buy a three-month-old used car for over €158,000 — nearly double the cost of a similar vehicles bought new in 2022. The Culture Ministry later decided not to proceed with the purchase and asked the Interior Ministry to provide a vehicle instead.
You can send me your tips for good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk. Thank you!
