Student competition
CREATE YOUR OWN PROJECT
How to sell the Cohesion Policy to the future
applicants
MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CZ
NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION AUTHORITY
Hana Cisarova, EU Publicity Department
The objective
 to introduce cohesion policy to the future applicants, teachers and
schools in an attractive way
 to encourage them to look around and think about what could be
done better or developed (with the help of EU funds)
 to root a positive perception of cohesion policy in the "fresh" target
group, untouched by the media chase and negative publicity
 to use teachers as multiplicators of information not just towards
their students, but also in relation to the local authorities
 to encourage more schools to become real applicants
 to get new project ideas from the young minds
 implementation of the (modified) student projects if beneficial
The task – a simplified grant application
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describe the baseline for the future project
present the ideal project objective and set your indicators
decide the implementation timetable with outlined project stages
define the beneficiary of the subsidy
describe the activities that will fulfil the project objective
create a SWOT analysis
select the subsidy instrument – OP, priority axis, intervention area
prove the project sustainability
decide on the budget breakdown in relation to the proposed
timetable and determine the project funding throughout the different
stages
The contestants
 students of any national high-school
15 years +
 students from the same class / school
/ cohesion region
 teams of 2-5 students and 1 teacher
per team
 teacher as a driving force, facilitator
and motivator
 projects thematically corresponding to
the lesson often prepared during the
class
 motivation of both students and
teachers with attractive prizes
The tools – information website www.navrhniprojekt.cz
The tools – website content
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the competition rules and timetable
methodological guideline
submission form (fill & download)
recent news
student projects examples from previous years in pdf.
contact information, link to Facebook fan page and assistance
information on EU funds incl. brochures in pdf.
assessment explanation
events calendar (dates of project submission, presentation, seminars…)
display of prices
information about the partners of the competition
The tools – website content / submission form & prizes
The tools – available assistance
 seminars on the competition and EU funds within classes
provided by regional contact points – 13 Eurocenters
 project consultation via Eurocentre coordinators / Regional OP
representatives and on-line project assistance
 direct contact with the organizer (call / e-mail / even visit!)
 booklet (on seminars and promotion anywhere)
 CD-R (great for preparation during classes)
 Facebook (micro competitions, project examples, notifications)
 inspiration at Map of Projects www.mapaprojektu.cz
The tools – assistance, motivation, inspiration
The competition timetable
The competition runs throughout the whole winter term with the
Christmas break between the regional and final presentation rounds:
1. September: Competition launch
2. November: e-project submission to the regional Eurocentre
3. evaluation and selection of the 3 best projects in each of the 8
cohesion regions
4. December: presentation and questioning by the MAs of Regional
OPs on-the-spot choice of the best project of each regional round
5. the 8 best projects continue to the final national presentation
6. Christmas break: project improvement based on the feedback
from MAs
7. January: final presentations and questioning in Prague at the
MRD with a press conference and announcement of the winners
Publicity
On the start:
 announcements on public radio stations focused on students and teachers
(produced by the Czech Radio)
 direct e-mails to all high-schools in the Czech Republic
 posters / booklets / CD-R for schools, delivered by the Eurocenters
During the competition:
 banner on the SF website and websites of the partners
 custom-made PR articles on the student/teacher websites
 PR newsletter articles by the regional OPs and MRD
During the year:
 handing out of leaflets / booklets and talking to students and teachers on
open-air events (both MRD and Eurocenters)
 banner
Prizes
 same prizes for teachers
and students - profound effect!
 experience rewards did not work
 reward for every submitted project
- use of promotional items
 small prizes for micro competitions
 always prize per team member
 asking partners to donate
 winning team: ultrabooks
regional winners: tablets
2. regional place: e-readers
3. regional place: EU travel guidebooks
Project examples
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Support for volunteer firefighters
School astronomical observatory
Project to save the local brewery
Bike share for the regional town (the first national winner)
Interactive smart-phone/tablet application
Project aimed to increase the public awareness on the quality of air
Asylum house for young homeless people
Project aimed to increase the graduates employment rate
A lot of projects for sports facilities (the favourite of the first season)
Many retirement homes (the last year’s blockbuster)
Results
 40 projects in 2012 vs. 53 projects in 2013
Lessons learned
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maximum publicity in September / October
publicity at other events during the year
talk to the teachers, not just the students
one class in the 1st season… half of the school in the 2nd season!
reward for every submitted project
be flexible and prepared to change things on the go
Thank you for your attention!
(hook them early  )
hana.cisarova@mmr.cz