Czechia

The Ministry of Regional Development plays a central role in coordinating rural issues and regional development policies. It oversees the management of EU Cohesion Policy Funds and implements programmes that target rural revitalisation and reduce regional disparities. 

The Ministry manages the National Standing Conference which coordinates state and regional efforts in implementing the National Document on Territorial Dimension, the Partnership Agreement, and programmes co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). It ensures alignment of regional needs with funding and strategy execution. It is composed of three chambers: Regional Chamber, Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) Chamber, and Community-led Local Development (CLLD) Chamber.

The Czech government established the Government Committee for Regional Policy in 2023 to further address socio-economic disparities and prevent rural depopulation. This committee ensures policy coordination across ministries, evaluates regional development efforts, and facilitates collaboration between the government, regions, and communities.

The Rural Development Concept establishes a unified national framework for the development of rural areas. Adopted by the government in 2020, it provides strategic guidance for managing rural development and aims to bridge gaps in strategic and systemic approaches. The Concept outlines a vision for rural areas by 2027, based on five strategic goals and seventeen specific objectives. 

The Regional Development Strategy 2021+ (RDS21+) outlines key regional development objectives over a seven-year period, in accordance with Law 248/2000 on Regional Development Support. Its primary aim is to foster dynamic, balanced, and sustainable regional growth. The RDS21+ is executed through a two-year Action Plan.

The 2023-2024 Action Plan complements the overarching strategy and addresses specific issues that require tailored solutions depending on the type of territory and its unique challenges. It also includes an evaluation of the 2021-2022 Action Plan and reaffirms the designation of state-supported regions, identified as economically and socially vulnerable areas.

The Smart Cities Concept was developed by the Czech Ministry of Regional Development to support the Innovation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2019–2030: The Country for the Future. It proposes new solutions and initiatives to improve quality of life, based on input from municipalities, cities, and regions. The Concept promotes SMART solutions for both urban and rural areas, aligning with the Regional Development Strategy 21+, and expands on various measures outlined in the strategy for local municipalities.

The Ministry of Regional Development launched the National Rural Pact for Czechia in 2022. Its mission is to involve all rural development practitioners in the country in order to enable structured dialogue and cooperation that can help achieve the country’s five rural development goals, as set out in its Rural Development Concept.

The Governmental Committee for Regional Policy oversees the governance and coordination of rural affairs. It ensures coherence in policymaking through both horizontal coordination between ministries and vertical coordination across national, regional, and local levels. It is also  tasked with introducing a Territorial Impact Assessment into the development of regulations and legislation to strengthen the consideration of territorial impacts in policymaking.

Further collaboration takes place through the National Standing Conference, particularly within the Regional and Community-led Local Development (CLLD) chambers, where key issues are discussed among national, sectoral, and regional stakeholders. The CLLD chamber effectively communicates across silos through an informal CLLD platform where representatives of all involved sectors and the National Network of Local Action Groups (LAGs) meet monthly to address key issues and enhance coordination.

Additionally, the Ministry of Regional Development convenes the Work Group on Rural Development quarterly, bringing together representatives from government offices, academia, and regional partners to ensure consistent and integrated approaches to rural development.

The Ministry of Agriculture supports Local Action Groups (LAGs) and various stakeholders to stimulate rural activity and improve the quality of life. This coordination is facilitated primarily through the National Rural Network  which serves as a communication platform for the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027.

The National Rural Network operates under a 2023-2027 Action Plan, focusing on networking, capacity building, and dissemination of best practices. The network also aligns its activities with the objectives of the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas (LTVRA), ensuring synergy across different policy goals.

The Ministry of Agriculture is the managing authority of this network and has established a coordination group composed of various ministry units, and a broader Coordination Unit that includes partners beyond the ministry and the State Agricultural Intervention Fund (SZIF) as a paying agency.

Additionally, regional networks link rural development stakeholders within the country's 13 administrative regions and Prague, with the regional branches of the paying agency acting as secretariats.

Self-governing regions in the Czechia promote rural development through regional incentives and policies. These regions are responsible for implementing policies that address the specific needs of rural areas and work in alignment with national strategies and EU programmes.

The Regional Development Strategy 21+ guides their efforts, promoting sustainable and balanced growth in both urban and rural communities. Through regional councils, regions engage with local municipalities and rural stakeholders to ensure that development initiatives reflect local priorities. They also manage the distribution of national and EU funds to support rural infrastructure, economic development, and social services​.

The Ministry of Regional Development is the National Coordination Authority (NCA) for the EU Cohesion Policy Funds, ensuring alignment and synergy of national, regional, and EU funding sources to support rural development. 

The NCA provides methodological guidance for the implementation of Community-led Local Development (CLLD) strategies and manages key programmes funded under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), such as the Integrated Regional Operational Programme and the Operational Programme Technical Assistance.

The NCA acts as the primary partner to the European Commission, coordinating the legislative rules of Cohesion Policy, preparing and managing the national Partnership Agreement, and overseeing the monitoring and publicity of EU-funded programmes. The NCA also facilitates synergies between the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and other structural funds (ESIFs) through multi-funded CLLD strategies implemented by Local Action Groups (LAGs).

Mechanisms for assessing the impact of legislative proposals on rural areas exist in the Czech Republic. Proposed laws undergo a multi-stage process involving the Government, Parliament, Senate, and President. During this process, public and stakeholder input, including views of rural representatives, is sought through parliamentary committees and the Senate’s Standing Committee for Rural Areas.

Additionally, rural stakeholders, such as the Czech Association of Towns and Municipalities and the Association of Local Municipalities of the Czech Republic, participate in the inter-sectoral commenting procedure for legal proposals. This involvement enables an assessment of potential impacts on rural regions and consideration of rural perspectives in the legislative process.

The National Rural Conference is an annual event organised by the Czech Ministry of Agriculture, with support from other ministries such as the Ministry for Regional Development, and partners such as the Czech Association for Rural Renewal. It brings together rural stakeholders to discuss key issues. 

The ‘Village of the Year’ competition is a national initiative launched in 1995, which celebrates rural communities, raises awareness of the importance of the countryside, and encourages active participation in local development. It highlights successful village-renewal programmes, promotes local traditions, and recognises the efforts of citizens and municipal leaders to enhance rural living. Winners receive financial support for further development projects, reinforcing the vitality of rural life across Czechia.

The National Network of Local Action Groups (LAGs) coordinates and engages rural communities by representing their interests at national and regional levels, supporting capacity building, and advocating for efficient use of funding.

The Czech Association of Towns and Municipalities acts as a representative, engaging in policy discussions and legislative processes to advocate for local interests. It consults with government bodies and supports local authorities with capacity building and funding applications.

The Association of Local Municipalities of the Czech Republic is a non-governmental organisation that unites municipalities and cities, focusing on fair tax revenue distribution and representing the interests of smaller municipalities. It actively participates in legislative debates and ensures that rural needs are reflected in national policy.

The Ministry of Regional Development operates the Municipal Development Programme ObcePRO (cz. ObcePRO), a web application that supports municipalities and their associations in creating, implementing, and evaluating development programmes. It provides tools for socio-economic analysis using integrated data from the Czech Statistical Office, generates templates for surveys and reports, and automates indicator calculations. 

Municipalities can develop action plans, track progress, and produce evaluation reports, aiding financial management. The platform also includes detailed methodologies and user guides to streamline strategic planning and development processes.

The National Rural Network  serves as a key platform for the CAP Strategic Plan. It facilitates networking among stakeholders, supports capacity building, and disseminates information through regional and thematic working groups, enhancing collaboration on rural development initiatives. 

The Association for Rural Renewal is a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening rural communities by promoting networking and sharing best practices. It facilitates capacity building and mutual learning to improve the economic and social stability of rural areas.