How are associations prospering in the 21st century? What is their role in society and what are the challenges they face? And what role should public administration play in supporting them?


The international conference COMMUNITY IS ALIVE! addresses the importance of associations as key actors in the development of civil society, culture and community life. The role of public administration in supporting association activities will be discussed and participants will also gain inspiration from examples of good practice from both home and abroad. The aim is to encourage dialogue between experts, associations and public administration, which would lead to more effective cooperation and development of association activities in the Czech Republic.

The event is held under the auspices of the Minister of Culture Mgr. Martin Baxa.

For whom? 

The conference is intended for representatives of public administration, professional public, representatives of NGOs, students and all those interested in community life.


Apply here

Closing date for registration: 23 May 2025

Recording of the Conference (in Czech)

Day 1 - Block 1
Day 1 - Block 2 + Focus Groups Conclusions
Day 2 - Block 1
Day 2 - Block 2

Organized by: NIPOS

Conference languages: Czech and English (simultaneous interpretation will be provided)

Contact: konference@nipos.cz

Participation fee: 800,- CZK after prior registration.

PROGRAMME


WEDNESDAY 11 June 2025 – Day 1

OPENING
Host: Kateřina Rathouská

10.30—11.00 Arrival, registration

11.00—11.15 Opening of the conference

Block I. – Introduction to the conference theme

11.15—11.35 The Role of Association Representatives as Local Community Leaders / Radim Perlín / Přf UK

(Questions 5 min.)

11.40—12.10 The Role of Associations in the New Millenium – Emerging Trends and Challenges / Lenka Lázňovská / Společnost Amatérské divadlo a svět, z. s.

(Questions 5 min.)

Block II. – Foreign and Czech examples and inspiration

12.15—12.35 Association for Slovak Photographers / Karol Klváček

(Questions 5 min.)

12.40—13.25 Coffee break

13.25—13.45 Making Music / Barbara Eifler

(Questions 5 min.)

13.50—14.10 Czech Association of Independent Theatre / Lenka Havlíková

(Questions 5 min.)

14.15—14.35 Croatian Cultural Association / Valentina Dačnik

(Questions 5 min.)

14.40—15.00 Czech Association of Museums and Galleries / Irena Chovančíková

(Questions 5 min.)

15.05—15.20 Performance by the SUBITO Choir

15.20—15.45 Coffee break

Block III. – Focus groups

15.50—16.30 Focus groups – topics:

16.30—17.15 Discussion – conclusions of focus groups

17.30 Conclusion of Day 1 of the conference


THURSDAY 12 June 2025 – DAY 2

10.00 Opening of Day 2 of the conference

Block I. – Public administration subsidy policy in the field of culture

10.05—10.20 Support of Association Activities in the Ministry of Culture’s Subsidy Procedure / Kateřina Klementová

(Questions 5 min.)

10.25—10.40 Subsidy policy of the Zlín Region / Monika Eretová

(Questions 5 min.)

10.45—11.00 Subsidy Policy of the City of Ostrava: Support for the Non-profit Cultural Sector / Daniela Zarodňanská

(Questions 5 min.)

11.05—11.20 Subsidy policy of the town of Vysoké nad Jizerou / Lucie Vaverková Strnádková

(Questions 5 min.)

11.25—11.55 Coffee break

Block II. – Examples and inspiration from the associations' activities

12.00—12.10 ‘On my Suburb there’s a Cinema Called Love with Blue Darkness’ or: When a Community Association Runs a Cinema / Robert Bargel / Gong, z.s.

(Questions 5 min.)

12.15—12.25Pupeteer’s Chrudim / Michal Drtina / Association for the Publication of the Magazine Loutkář

(Questions 5 min.)

12.30—12.40 Colorful Festival / Romano Jasnica / Martin Cichý

(Questions 5 min.)

12.45—12.55 Friends of the Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou / Marta Broulová

(Questions 5 min.)

13.00—13.10 ROZTOČ Association / Ondřej Marek

(Questions 5 min.)

13.15—13.30 Concluding summary

13.30 Conference closing

Program is subject to change