Supporting Social Innovation: A Journey Through Two ESF Programming Periods, The Experience of The Czech Republic
We invite you to join us for the Community of Practice on Social Innovation onsite event, ‘Supporting Social Innovation: A Journey Through Two ESF Programming Periods, The Experience of The Czech Republic.’ This two-day study visit will take place on 13-14 May 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic.
This event is designed for ESF+ Bodies and National Competence Centres, offering a unique opportunity to explore the Czech Republic’s long-standing experience in using ESF funding to support social innovation. Participants will gain insights into the evolution, challenges, and improvements across past and current programming periods. A key highlight will be the role of the Czech ESF+ Managing Authority, which also serves as the country’s National Competence Centre for Social Innovation.
Venue: Eurostars Thalia, Narodní, 13 Prague, Czech Republic.
Download Agenda
13 May 2025
14 May 2025
| Time (CEST) | Topic and speaker |
|---|---|
| 09:00 - 09:30 |
Registration and Welcome Coffee
|
| 09:30 - 09:50 |
Opening and Welcome
Markéta Pěchoučková,
Director of the Department for Implementation of EU Fund Programmes - Social Innovation and Equal Opportunities, the Czech Republic
Armelle Ledan,
Lead Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
|
| 09:50 - 10:00 |
Introduction to the Event
Armelle Ledan,
Lead Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
|
| 10:00 - 10:30 |
Setting the Scene: ESF Support to Social Innovation in Czechia, a Learning Journey
Followed by Q&A Session
Markéta Pěchoučková,
Director of the Department for Implementation of EU Fund Programmes - Social Innovation and Equal Opportunities, the Czech Republic
|
| 10:30 - 11:30 |
World café – Social Innovation Implementation in Practice
Support to Applicants, Application Forms:
Veronika Pavlovská, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic Petr Havlíček, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Coordinator of National Competence Centre, the Czech Republic Markéta Pěchoučková, Director of the Department for Implementation of EU Fund Programmes - Social Innovation and Equal Opportunities, the Czech Republic Selection of Projects: Václav Lintymer, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic Eva Holubcová, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic Pavla Juskovičová, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic Support to Project Promoters: Štěpán Rezek, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic Iva Kovandová, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic Tomke Trávníčková, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic |
| 11:30 - 12:00 |
Coffee Break
|
| 12:00 - 13:00 |
Call for Proposals – Searching for New Solutions
Panel Discussion:
Nadační fond Broumov (Broumov Foundation) Pavla Jénková - Expert Guarantor Petr Osoba - Project Manager and Evaluator NUDZ – Prescreening Hana Němcová, Coordinator of Support to Target Groups, Psychologist - the National Institute of Mental Health Dementia Veronika Frühbauer – Director Ondřej Frühbauer - Methodist Moderator: Veronika Pavlovská,
Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic
|
| 13:00 - 14:15 |
Lunch
|
| 14:15 - 14:30 |
Introduction to Project Visits
Followed by Practical Information
Petr Havlíček,
Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the National Competence Centre, the Czech Republic
Rasa Penkauskienė,
Coordinator of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
|
| 14:30 - 17:30 |
Project Visits
Innovative Housing Support Measures by the Municipality
PORT: ProFem 2.0 Solidární síť z Prahy do Brna - Místní místním Psyon |
| 19:00 - 21:00 |
Dinner
|
| Time (CEST) | Topic and speaker |
|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:00 |
Welcome Coffee
|
| 09:00 - 09:30 |
Feedback from Project Visits
|
| 09:30 - 10:30 |
The Journey of National Competence Centre and Its Connection with the Social Innovation Unit
Presentations:
ForSI Social Time Bombs: Alexandre Reznikow, Senior Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Regional Development Informed Debtor: Eva Holubcová, Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Community of Managers at MoLSA: Markéta Pěchoučková, Director of the Department for Implementation of EU Fund Programmes - Social Innovation and Equal Opportunities Introduction: Petr Havlíček,
Project Manager at Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the National Competence Centre, the Czech Republic
|
| 10:30 - 11:00 |
Experience Sharing and Discussion
Moderator: Armelle Ledan,
Lead Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
|
| 11:00 - 11:30 |
Coffee Break
|
| 11:30 - 13:00 |
International & Internal Scaling Cases
Presentations:
Prevention of Energy poverty, Michaela Šimečková, Evaluator, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Stefan Goemaere - Community Social Worker, Papillon project (BE) Free from Fears, Marie Polášková, Researcher, the National Institute of Mental Health and Marta Fišerová, Researcher, the National Institute of Mental Health Freya, Kamila Šimková, Project Manager, Freya Introduction: Štěpán Rezek,
Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Czech Republic
|
| 13:00 - 14:15 |
Lunch
|
| 14:15 - 16:00 |
Parallel Workshops
14.15-15.00 Session1: Strengths and Challenges in Supporting Social Innovation with ESF (2014–2027)
15.00-16.00 Session 2: Shaping the Future, Recommendations for Post 2027 ESF Support to Social Innovation Armelle Ledan,
Lead Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
John Healy,
Thematic Expert of the National Competence Working Group under the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
Petr Havlíček,
Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Coordinator of National Competence Centre, the Czech Republic
Markéta Pěchoučková,
Director of the Department for Implementation of EU Fund Programmes - Social Innovation and Equal Opportunities, the Czech Republic
|
| 16:00 - 16:20 |
Coffee Break
|
| 16:20 - 16:50 |
Feedback from Workshops
Armelle Ledan,
Lead Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
John Healy,
Thematic Expert of the National Competence Working Group under the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
Petr Havlíček,
Project Manager at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Coordinator of National Competence Centre, the Czech Republic
Markéta Pěchoučková,
Director of the Department for Implementation of EU Fund Programmes - Social Innovation and Equal Opportunities, the Czech Republic
|
| 16:50 - 17:00 |
Wrap-up and Next steps
Armelle Ledan,
Lead Thematic Expert of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
Rasa Penkauskienė,
Coordinator of the Community of Practice on Social Innovation
|
| 18:00 - 20:00 |
Dinner
|