The Goodwill Committee – Olga Havel Foundation will award the Olga Havel Prize for the twenty-ninth time this year. The prestigious award will go to a personality who helps others despite his or her health handicap.

A jury appointed by the Foundation's Board of Trustees will decide who will become the laureate and receive the bronze sculpture "Encouragement" by Olbram Zoubek. Since 2017, the Foundation has also awarded the Olga Havel Prize from the public, the winner of which can be voted by online. Like the winner of the Olga Havel Prize, the winner of the Public Prize will be presented at a gala event to be held this year on 29 May in the Historical Building of the National Museum.

"This year, the Foundation is commemorating the 90th birthday of Olga Havel, who unstintingly offered a helping hand to those in need. The nominees often help just as unspectacularly. But they have to overcome the obstacles caused by their health disadvantages. Every year we learn about exceptional stories of people doing good and I believe that this year will be no different," says Monika Granja, Director of the Committee of Good Will - Olga Havel Foundation.

The Olga Havel Prize was first announced by Olga Havel in 1995 with the aim of recognising people with disabilities who, despite their handicaps, selflessly help and thus inspire others to overcome obstacles. Olga Havlová participated only in the first year and after her passing, the Award became a memorial to a personality who always stood up for the rights of vulnerable citizens.

Last year, the award went to Dita Horochovská for helping people with limited mobility. She passes on her experience of controlling a computer through her voice. The laureate was the first to use technology, participated in its development and became an everyday user. The winner of the public choice Award was Martin Škurek. 

The patronage of the Olga Havel Prize ceremony in 2023 was taken over by Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Chairwoman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, and Miluše Horská, Chairwoman of the Committee on Social Policy of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.