As the identity of its founders makes clear, NCSS was born of three schools of thought: the experience of PhDr. Jiřina Šiklová, founder and long-time head of the Department of Social Work at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague; the professional experience of the internationally recognised expert prof. JUDr. Igor Tomeš, CSc.; and that of Ing. Petr Víšek, director of the civic association Socioklub, who worked in the theory and practice of social policy.

Their experience led them to a shared conviction that a new non-governmental organisation was needed – one that would engage in the theory, study and practice of social policy and, above all, develop its regional dimension. This reflects the belief that the regional perspective on social policy – a programme of regional (and local) long-term social sustainability – is the most important aspect of modern social policy and also a key area of European Union social policy. EU member states have come to recognise that social cohesion across the EU is a positive precondition for economic development in Europe. Social tension is a limiting factor for economic growth. The common denominator of EU social policy is solidarity between states, regions, municipalities and people. Although social affairs remain the responsibility of individual states, the newly formulated policy of “open coordination” means following common principles and meeting agreed minimum standards (benchmark indicators). This gives the social policies of EU member states both direction and certain limits. The greatest emphasis is placed on reducing disparities between regions, for which the EU provides funding from, among other sources, the social and structural funds. That is why it is important to develop purposeful social policy in regions and cities.

This is also why the newly founded organisation adopted the ambitious adjective “national”: it seeks to fulfil the idea of cooperation between regions, cities, workplaces and institutions across the entire Czech Republic.

Férové dětství Foundation (ferovedetstvi.cz)
Krok domů (krokdomu.cz)
MPSV – OPZ+ consultations on calls supporting community-led local development
Neposeda, z.ú.
Department of Social Work, Faculty of Arts, Charles University (cuni.cz)