- BeforeLived in the US for 22 years and worked as a financial analyst for 14. He had no plans to return to Slovakia.
- In LEAFLEAF’s programme for Slovaks abroad approached him to found and run a new investment fund in Slovakia.
- ThenHe launched the fund with initial capital of €20 million, settled in Bratislava with his family and volunteered to help run LEAF Academy.
We are building a community of cultivators
for a world-class Slovakia
Change-makers who aspire to build world-class organisations in business, the public sector and the non-profit sector.
Leaders who want to develop themselves, their organisations and their community.
1,200+ people contribute their time or money every year and the number keeps growing · since 2012
Results
What we have achieved since 2012
- 21,700+
- people on GROWNi
- 5,140+
- people involved in volunteering
- 2,000+
- people through LEAF programmes
- 1,700+
- organisations on GROWNi
- 572
- mentoring pairs
- 3
- organisations grew up in LEAF and now stand on their own
Why LEAF exists
Slovakia can become a country like Finland, Ireland or Switzerland
A country with a growing economy, good public services and values that bring people together. That takes many more world-class organisations: companies, public institutions and NGOs. And they are built by people, by leaders who combine performance with character.
There are still too few of them, and traditional leadership programmes cannot prepare enough, because they are time-consuming and hard to scale. So we build a community where people develop each other.
How LEAF works
Change moves from the inside out
Whoever wants to change a country starts with themselves. Then comes the team and the organisation, and only then the wider world.
- 1
I grow myself
Truly knowing yourself is harder than it seems. Most people think they are self-aware, yet Tasha Eurich’s research suggests only 10 to 15% actually are. Accepting yourself as you are matters just as much, including the fact that not everything needs improving right away. Psychologist Carl Rogers described it as a paradox: only once we accept ourselves can we change.
- 2
I build my organisation
Change then flows into the team and the organisation a person leads or works in: its culture, decisions and results. We want more Slovak companies with global reach, a better public administration and NGOs that can grow.
- 3
I give back to the community
And it keeps spreading through relationships. Social network research suggests our happiness affects people around us up to three degrees away, most strongly those closest to us. That is why we build on a community where people help each other.
Programmes
Choose how you want to grow
Two programmes for people who want to move themselves and the world around them forward. And a platform where it all comes together.
Mentoring network
Six months of 1:1 mentoring with an experienced mentor in Slovakia or abroad. You work on a specific change in yourself, your role or your organisation.
- 6 months
- 1:1, mostly online
- selective
Krúžky circles
8 to 10 people from outside your bubble, once a month for four hours, over ten months, with a trained moderator.
- 10 months
- in person, hybrid, online
- start in February and September
GROWNi
A platform with practical opportunities for the growth and impact of professionals and students: jobs and internships, skilled volunteering, mentoring and self-knowledge. For organisations, a space to find talent and activate alumni communities.
Together with Teach for Slovakia, Nexteria and Klub úradníkov dobrej vôle we run the Public Leadership Academy, an 8-month programme for new managers in the public sector.
Stories
People who grow and then help others
Richard FetykoProgramme for Slovaks abroad · return from the US Zuzana VargováOpportunities at home · internship 2015 - BeforeStudied in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Denmark and worked for an international company.
- In LEAFThrough the Opportunities at home programme she got an internship at the Office of the President of Slovakia.
- ThenBefore finishing her studies she was offered a full-time job there. She worked on health policy, co-organised the Klub úradníkov dobrej vôle and later helped launch LEAF’s Mentoring Network for a World-Class Slovakia.
Jozef MaruščákSlovaks abroad · LEAF Award 2018 - BeforeStudied in the UK and stayed in touch with Slovakia through LEAF weekends for Slovaks abroad.
- In LEAFWon the LEAF Award for a project combining artificial intelligence and law.
- ThenCo-founded Sudolabs. Went from mentee to mentor on GROWNi.
Juraj ŠimkovičOnline mentor incubator · 2020 - BeforeA teacher who returned to education after years in sports management.
- In LEAFWent through the online mentor incubator for teachers and further training.
- ThenJoined the mentor team and began mentoring other teachers.
Why people stay in LEAF
The community is the reason I stayed in LEAF. People I see as values-driven, with a vision of helping Slovakia. I know I will find support and understanding among them.
It is a community full of engaged people of character who care about the impact of what they do. I have learned a lot from them, and they are fun to be with.
In Krúžky I met exceptional people who open up new perspectives for me. They ask me questions that move me forward.
How it started
One question at a round table
In September 2012, business leaders and successful entrepreneurs who wanted to improve Slovakia came together. Their first step was to invite people from Slovakia and abroad, from business, government and NGOs, to one table with a single question:
„How can we make Slovakia a truly world-class country?“
LEAF grew out of the answers.
LEAF over time since 2012What grew in LEAF
These organisations grew in LEAF and have stood on their own since 2023:
- LEAF AcademyAn international secondary school focused on leadership, values and character.
- Scholarships abroadSecondary school studies abroad for talented students. The programme first ran on its own, then became part of LEAF, and has been independent again since 2023.
- MentóriaMentoring and coaching programmes for teachers and schools.
Join a community that takes Slovakia seriously
Choose a programme, apply on GROWNi and get started.