How It Started

The endowment fund was created following the accident of Daniel Černý, a renowned Czech master blacksmith who suffered a severe cervical spine injury in September 2023. After emergency surgery and a long period of intensive medical care, Daniel faced paralysis and highly uncertain prospects for recovery. Access to long-term inpatient rehabilitation proved limited, making continued recovery largely dependent on family support, informal care, and the solidarity of his community.

The response from friends, fellow blacksmiths, and supporters was immediate and generous. Their willingness to help revealed both the strength of this community and a wider problem: independent artisans working in physically demanding crafts often have few long-term safety nets when faced with sudden, life-changing injuries.

What We Do and Why

The Popojedem Endowment Fund was established to turn this shared experience into a structured and sustainable form of support. The fund raises and manages financial resources to support rehabilitation, adaptive care, and the gradual return to an active and dignified life. It is guided by the understanding that recovery after a serious injury does not end with survival or hospital discharge, but depends on long-term rehabilitation, adaptation, and access to appropriate support.

While the fund’s first activities were shaped by Daniel Černý’s situation, its mission is not limited to a single individual. Popojedem aims to support other blacksmiths and forging-related artisans facing comparable circumstances, as resources and conditions allow. It also supports activities that contribute to better long-term recovery, including access to therapies, rehabilitation tools, and approaches that help people regain independence and return to meaningful daily activities. Decisions are made responsibly by the fund’s governing bodies, with an emphasis on transparency, solidarity, and long-term responsibility.

Governance

Board of Directors

Robert Dulfer – President of the Board and Legal Representative
Co-founder of the endowment fund. A biologist of Dutch origin, long active in the Czech Republic. Since 1998, he has served as Director of Rozmberk Society (Společnost Rožmberk o.p.s.). He has been involved in numerous international projects in the fields of nature conservation, cultural heritage, and research, including projects funded by the Council of Europe and the European Union.

Katherina Bisova – Board member

Michal Podhradsky – Board member

Supervisor

Jaroslav Fliegel – Supervisor of the endowment fund