She is one of the faces of a new civic generation showing that activism does not have to mean protest alone, but also long-term, professional, and creative work with real impact.
She studied European Studies in Maastricht and political communication in Amsterdam, gained experience both abroad and in the Czech Republic, and eventually returned home – to a place where, in her words, “things that matter are happening.” Today, she leads the association Díky, že můžem, which organizes projects such as Korzo Národní and Samet na školách, and has gradually transformed from a volunteer initiative into a professional organization with a budget exceeding 15 million CZK.
She is a recipient of the Forbes 30 Under 30 award and a graduate of the Aspen Young Leaders program and the Obama Foundation Leaders Europe 2024–2025. She believes that democracy is not a given – and that it is best protected through open dialogue across generations. That is why she is behind the campaign Connect, Keep Calm & Vote, which brings young people together and reminds them that voting is also a form of caring for the world around us.
Bára Stárek speaks about freedom, democracy, and responsibility without pathos, but with an energy that can reach even those who thought politics was not for them.