This week, I had the privilege of speaking in Prague at the invitation of the Czech government about our digital community platform. The invitation itself highlighted the growing demand for stronger local connections, something that resonated deeply throughout the conference. View the sheets: Presentation Munity Services.pdf
Before I give my impression of the conference, let me tell you why our solution would be very valuable for the Czech Republic.
We offer a digital community platform successfully operating in 85 Dutch municipalities with over 1.6 million yearly visitors. It helps residents, organisations, and local governments:
Showcase community activities and resources.
Build stronger connections through shared stories and events.
Improve local initiatives with easy-to-use digital tools.
What benefits will it bring Czech communities?
Activating local talents and resources.
Increasing volunteer participation and community involvement.
Bridging gaps between generations through shared experiences.
Streamlining communication with digital newsletters, AI assistance, and knowledge bases.
Reducing administrative and organisational burdens on local LAG leaders.
Why now? With solid local infrastructure and community enthusiasm already in place, we can magnify this energy, making Czech communities more resilient and connected. We're excited to support this journey!
Now back to the conference!
Right from the start, it became clear how seriously community-led local development is taken here: the event was opened by two Czech government ministers, reflecting the high value placed on grassroots initiatives.
Another striking observation: among the 250 participants, women clearly outnumbered men. Not a coincidence, as local action groups (known as MAS in Czech) offer roles that blend well with family life. More importantly, these women bring empathy, organisation, and determination—key ingredients in effective community-building.
My visit began with a field trip to the local action group of Brdy-Vltava, a rural area south of Prague. I was moved by their inspiring community projects: new village squares, daycare centres, schools, healthcare facilities, and green spaces—all designed to bring people together. Hearing the local volunteers share both their challenges and successes revealed a familiar truth: loneliness, ageing populations, and youth migration are universal challenges. Yet so too is the powerful drive to improve community life.
On April 2, the official conference took place at Prague's National Agricultural Museum. The ministers present included Marian Jurečka (Labour and Social Affairs) and Marek Výborný (Agriculture), emphasizing the Czech government’s commitment to supporting community initiatives.
Building strong foundations
Czechia boasts one of Europe's most robust structures for community-led local development:
180 local action groups now cover 97% of Czech rural areas.
Over 19,290 local projects have been completed.
Approximately 15 billion Czech crowns have been invested so far.
Between 2021 and 2027, an additional €661 million will flow into these initiatives through multiple European programmes. These local action groups are vital connectors linking citizens, local governments, and European institutions.
Stories of connection and empowerment
Practical community projects were shared, including food banks and clothing banks that have evolved from emergency support into vibrant hubs of volunteering and participation. Here, community members transition from recipients of aid into active contributors and co-creators, proving the value of empowerment through engagement.
Volunteers as social glue
The conference highlighted the immense contribution of volunteering in Czechia: in 2023 alone, 1.66 million volunteers provided over 213 million hours, equivalent to 49 billion crowns in social value. Volunteers bridge informal care and formal services, fostering community spirit, trust, and lasting connections.
Speakers called for stronger policy support, integration into education, and structured cross-generational collaboration to sustain volunteering efforts.
Addressing energy poverty through cooperation
Participants stressed the importance of clear and empathetic communication when tackling issues such as energy poverty. Engaging vulnerable communities as partners rather than passive recipients creates lasting solutions. The innovative "sandbox" approach—testing ideas within controlled environments—was highlighted as a promising strategy.
Supporting families through coordinated action
Discussions on vulnerable families underscored the importance of structured collaboration among education, social work, and healthcare providers. Recommended strategies included:
Early intervention for children and expectant parents.
Strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation.
Effective local management and continuous monitoring.
This integrated approach ensures better life chances for all children.
Intergenerational dialogue to enhance social cohesion
Another key theme was fostering dialogue and understanding between generations. With youth and elderly increasingly isolated from one another, projects that actively connect them can significantly boost community solidarity and reduce isolation.
Local action groups as innovation labs
Due to their close community ties and flexibility, local action groups were identified as ideal 'social laboratories' for testing innovative solutions. Czechia's growth from 3 local groups in 2003 to 180 vibrant organisations today demonstrates the effectiveness and potential of this model.
In conclusion
The Prague conference was a powerful reminder: Europe's future lies in its local communities. When we invest in them and empower local initiatives, we build a stronger, more inclusive society for everyone.
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