Together, let's change the Czech Republic for the better
Technology is thriving in the Czech Republic. We have quality technical universities, and very successful technology companies known all over the world have been established in the Czech Republic - Avast, Seznam or Satoshi Labs. And yet we see these cases...
People in need can get support, but they don't know how. They wait for months, the authorities do not communicate with them at all. Often they don't even have money for food.
People in need can get support, but they don't know how. They wait for months, the authorities do not communicate with them at all. Often they don't even have money for food.
The hooded man in his 40s explains that he came to the Job Centre in September, when he was advised to apply for housing benefit online. And he's been waiting ever since. "My gas and utilities have gone up by two and a half thousand crowns since January. Now I have to pay six and a half thousand," the man says, so he decided to go to the office right after the New Year to ask what was happening with his application.
Zuzana, a single mother, explains that she was only informed that her application for benefits was being processed by a "methodologist". However, she does not understand whether there is anything to prove or whether the benefit is approved or when it will be paid.
"I tried the online application and I didn't hear back."
The disastrous state of child psychiatry is to be improved by telemedicine. But psychiatrists are on average 64 years old.
The disastrous state of child psychiatry is to be improved by telemedicine. But psychiatrists are on average 64 years old.
"Next appointment in 5 months," is often the answer to parents seeking acute child psychiatric help. Recent breakthroughs in telemedicine could solve a long-standing problem in Czech healthcare thanks to digital technology. But the vast majority of our child psychiatrists are seniors who do not know, understand or even fear technology.
"Even if psychiatrists are younger and digitally literate, the introduction of telemedicine is accompanied by a lot of confusion and we will have to wait a long time for it."
CZK 495 million was spent on information support during the pandemic, which, according to the analysis, was not used. The solution developed will not be used again.
CZK 495 million was spent on information support during the pandemic, which, according to the analysis, was not used. The solution developed will not be used again.
The SAO also points out that the Ministry of Health did not incorporate the newly created information support into the Czech Pandemic Plan or the Ministry's information concept. Thus, there is a real possibility that, despite the money spent, the Smart Quarantine service system will not be used in future epidemics.
"Now we need to focus on making sure that the money spent is not wasted and that the infrastructure created continues to work. It would be a big mistake if in time the state would get into a similar situation as now and we would find out that things are not ready again and we are back to square one," said SAO President Miloslav Kala.
"CZK 387 million was spent on a smart quarantine system that did not work."
It's holding us all back. From individuals to companies to the entire country.
Obsolescence in digital technology has a negative impact on society as a whole. The increasing digital divide causes social problems, reduces the competitiveness of companies, and hinders the progress of the state apparatus.
The incomprehensibility of processes in the public sphere and the lack of use of digital technologies slows down society as a whole.
If we don't do something about it, we will continue to fall further behind.
Through 1 and 0 we are changing the Czech Republic for the better
We were told we were naive. But we've been proving for years that change is possible. Step by step, we are patiently teaching nonprofits and government how to use digital technology.
At the core of the community are 6000+ expert volunteers. They bring to the community what is most valuable - their time and also their expertise, typically in the areas of software development, product design or project management. Thanks to their connection in the community, public benefit solutions in the form of open source digital products are created.
In the pandemic and at the beginning of the war Česko.Digital helped in the biggest crises
Covid portal
Information about government measures in a pandemic clearly in one place for the citizens of the Czech Republic.
Impact: 250 000+ people visited the portal in the first 48 hours of its operation
Stojíme za Ukrajinou
The information signpost, which was created almost over the weekend, offered dozens of instructions on how to offer or receive help.
Impact: nearly 800,000 people visited the signpost within 3 days of the outbreak of war
Dáme roušky
A community map of the drapes that made a key protective tool available at a critical moment in the covid-19 pandemic.
Impact: 600,000+ drapes passed thanks to the online community map
Movapp
Within 3 days of the outbreak of war, the app offered a solution to facilitate communication between Czechs and Ukrainians.
Impact: 12,000+ users have already downloaded the mobile app
20+ digital solutions
created in the community
6000+ volunteers
registered in the community
252 000+ hours
volunteer work
4 000 000+ people
approached our digital solutions
Technology enthusiasts at the beginning. After 4 years, a respected partner for officials and politicians.
We are civil society representatives in the Government Council for the Information Society (GCIS)
The Council is a permanent governing, advisory, initiating and coordinating body of the Czech government for the development of digital services in public administration, we are part of the Bureau as the only representatives of academia and civil society.
We have united nonprofits with an interest in the digitalization of the state into one voice - the Together and Digitally platform
The Together and Digitally platform is a joint initiative of ten NGOs that have been working on the digital transformation of the state for a long time. We connect key stakeholders, formulate recommendations, and discuss with politicians and the public.
We helped with the creation of the Digital Information Agency (DIA)
In the Czech Republic, following the example of Great Britain and Denmark, we helped to promote the establishment of the Digital and Information Agency, which systematically meets the needs for digitalization and the use of technology in public administration and will continue to develop it conscientiously for the benefit of the citizens of the Czech Republic.
Partial projects are not enough. If we really want to solve the problem, we need to go about it systemically.
Thanks to 4 years of working on individual projects, we have realized that for the public sphere, we are mostly just "putting out fires" this way. We don't want such valuable initiatives to come about only from the goodwill of the people who work on them in the evenings and weekends. We want the public sphere to be able to come up with them on its own, strategically, so that the work of volunteers is not so necessary.
We have managed to create a unique network of experts from companies, state administration and non-profit organizations, thanks to which we have a comprehensive view of how the public administration system works. We've had hundreds of hours of conversations with different organisations about what the main barriers are to using digital technologies. All of this has led us to define the problem:
The Problem
The public sphere* is unable to use the potential of technology to solve societal problems, thus worsening the conditions for people in the Czech Republic.
* By the public sphere we mean all actors in Czech society who suffer from this problem: state and local government, NGOs, universities and the media.
It doesn't just happen. We know all the barriers.
From long-term experience, data and surveys from the Czech Republic and abroad, we have identified four main barriers in the public sphere: lack of shared vision, information, competences and finances.
01
Lack of a shared vision
A shared vision means that people inside and outside the public administration have a common vision of where they are going together and what they want to achieve. It's like a map that shows where we want to go and what the goals of our journey are. When we have a clear shared vision, we know what to do and why we are doing it, which motivates and inspires us.
The lack of a shared vision then leads to misunderstandings, disagreements and divergent interests, which slows down or even stops solutions. It also often leads to inefficient use of money and time, as the organisation may not be clear about what is expected of it. Finally, the lack of a shared vision also affects the motivation of people and organisations who do not have a clear idea of the purpose and goal of their work.
Our survey confirmed the hypothesis that the Czech Republic lacks a shared vision of how to use digital technologies in public administration. Without a clearly defined and shared direction, for example in the form of a vision, it is difficult to make a difference.
"To achieve our ambitions, government must have a shared vision that is based on the needs of our users. This means breaking through resortism and thinking about services from the perspective of the people who use them."
Oliver Dowden, Minister for Implementation, United Kingdom
02
Missing information
Having all the necessary information means having easily accessible and relevant data, the knowledge to interpret the data and its practical application. By available data we mean research outputs, understandable data analyses and examples of good practice from the Czech Republic and abroad that will help in making informed decisions. All necessary information must be easily accessible and open to all without restrictions.
Without access to up-to-date information on new technologies and their potential benefits, people - whether officials, politicians or citizens - are often unaware of the possibilities that exist. This is then a missed opportunity to improve efficiency, reduce costs and deliver better services to all.
When public sector organisations lack information about the potential of technology, they cannot adequately plan for its practical deployment and use. This leads to problems such as inadequate training, inadequate resources and poor integration with existing systems - resulting in yet another poor experience with technology and further resistance to change.
"In a world where knowledge is power, lack of information can be a barrier to progress, growth and development."
Mariana Mazzucato, Professor of Economics at University College London
03
Lack of competence
In the context of technology in the public sector, competencies are the knowledge, skills and abilities that people need to use and manage technology effectively in their work. This includes a range of competencies such as technical skills related to hardware and software, as well as broader skills related to strategic thinking, data analysis, project management, communication.
If people in the public sector lack the necessary competencies to use new technologies effectively, this negatively affects their successful implementation and practical use. This ultimately leads to resistance and an inability to adapt to change or the introduction of new tools, which hinders progress and innovation across the public sector.
The lack of competences, or rather their deficiencies, is shown by the annual European DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index), where the Czech Republic ranks 19th below average among the 27 EU Member States in the integration of digital technologies in 2022. Moreover, we have fallen four places compared to 2021.
Digital competences are also the subject of a survey by the Czech Statistical Office, which, however, only assesses basic skills such as working with spreadsheets or word processing, and does not monitor the competences we mentioned at all.
"Digital skills are not just about tools, they are about people. Digital technologies, together with the right mix of skills and capabilities, have the power to change the way public services are delivered."
Martha Lane Fox, Independent Member of the House of Lords, Chancellor of the Open University and Board Member of Twitter
04
Lack of finance
This cause is closely related to the previous one - the public sphere is typically unable to attract top talent due to, among other things, its inability to compete with the rewards in the commercial sector. The "State of IT in Czech Nonprofits" survey conducted by Techsoup ČR and OSF Foundation in 2021 shows that 62% of medium-sized non-profit organisations cite lack of funding as the main obstacle to their development.
Accelerated digitalisation could bring productivity growth of up to 70% higher to the Czech Republic, says McKinsey in its analysis The Rise of the Digital Challengers, The Czech Republic's Perspective. According to the report, accelerating digitalisation could bring up to EUR 26 billion of additional gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025, an increase in the annual GDP growth rate of almost one percentage point.
"As a result, not investing in technology is often more costly than investing in it."
Steve VanRoekel, Former U.S. Chief Information Officer
We are falling further behind every day, on several fronts. If we do not change the direction in which technology is heading, the situation will continue to deteriorate.
The barriers that cause the Czech Republic to lag behind in the effective use of technology, such as lack of vision, competence, information and finance, are inherently very complex. We can try to address them piecemeal, and we are already doing a lot in the area of competences - whether it is digital solutions with NGOs or systematic education through hackdays or webinars. However, if we want to be really successful in solving them, we need to address each barrier in a connected and systematic way so that the transformation of the public sphere is sustainable and survives multiple elections. After thorough research and four years of direct work and collaboration with key players in the Czech digital technology field, we believe that the time is right for systemic change.
01 Lack of a shared vision
02 Missing information
03 Lack of competence
04 Lack of finance
We're dealing with it systemically. We have a concrete plan to do it.
We know that no system can be changed unilaterally - we need to coordinate the existing, often individual efforts and activities of individual players in the system so that the desired change is sustainable in the long term.
Our plan for the period 2024-2027
We will strategically focus on the 3 biggest causes of the problem. We will connect key actors and support the emergence of a shared vision that can withstand political change. We will promote concrete examples of successful digital solutions from the Czech Republic and abroad and explain their benefits. We will deliver the necessary competences to use digital technologies effectively.
The individual activities build on each other and connect the community as well as organizations and individuals who have a major impact on the future development of digital technologies in the Czech Republic.
Map
system
changes
Key activities and milestones have been mapped. View it in PDF →
Get them excited about a shared vision
We will focus on key players in Czech society who have a major impact on the development of digital technologies in the Czech Republic. We will explain the benefits of a shared vision that sets a clear direction and enables them to make the right strategic decisions. We will initiate a joint debate among key actors that will result in a shared vision to which the actors will formally commit, for example in the form of a memorandum.
Our next milestone: early 2024. Key players in the system agree on a shared vision for the use of technology in the public sphere in the form of a manifesto.
We inspire them and provide the necessary information
We will highlight good examples of digital technology practice in the public sphere that have made an impressive contribution. We will ensure that political parties with the potential to win at least 5% of the vote in parliamentary elections have digital technologies on their manifestos. We will launch an awareness-raising campaign aimed at improving people's attitudes towards technology.
Our next milestone: May 2025. Digital technologies are an integral part of the proposed solutions to the problems of all political parties with a potential of 5% in the 2025 general election.
We'll teach them
Through a combination of supporting activities such as training programmes for NGOs, providing assistance to digital projects or training for public sector product owners, we will achieve a more prepared public sphere to make the most of digital technologies.
Our next milestone: September 2023. We are opening training programmes to increase competences for the public sector.
We're off to a good start. Help us make it happen.
Support requested: 25 million CZK per year for the period 2024-2027.
We're not asking for money to operate, we're asking for money to fix the problem. Once we have solved it, we will refocus the activity or close it down.
80% of the funding goes to the tribal team, where we need quality professionals with competitive remuneration to the commercial environment.
We already know that slower change can also be implemented by volunteers. But with funding, such as investment in development, combined with community, we will significantly accelerate current activities and solve a substantial part of the problem within 4 years.
Your support will specifically help us
Provide training and support
Thanks to you, we'll be able to provide expertise and know-how where it's needed most - to projects and organisations tackling pressing societal issues. Through training programmes and strategic support, we'll help develop the skills and expertise needed to use technology effectively to improve their services.
Develop expert infrastructure
The success of Česko.Digital would not have been possible without a community of experts who easily connect with the public sector. It is the development of a community that connects worlds that need each other but often do not understand each other that will be one of the key pillars of the investment made. This is the cost of automating community processes, data analysis, software management, event organisation or communication.
Develop technical tools and resources
Your support will help us develop technical tools and resources that public sector organisations can use effectively in their operations. For example, we are talking about software or data analysis tools that will be new to many organisations.
Enforce systemic change
We will use your support to drive long-term, sustainable change that will lead to the effective use of digital technologies at a company-wide level. Through advocacy activities and in collaboration with officials and politicians, we will push for positive changes for future developments.
Better life for everyone in the Czech Republic through the effective use of technology.
Effective use of technology will allow us to automate simple and repetitive tasks so that officers have more time to care for people in need and their individual needs. Technology makes people's lives easier, and this experience will enable public administrations to demand appropriate technology on a larger scale and invest in its development over the long term. Such a public administration will simplify work and improve services for organisations, businesses and citizens of the Czech Republic - a better life in the Czech Republic for all of us.
Financial responsibility
By partnering with Česko.Digital , you will support dozens of projects with other NGOs that we implement every year. We are as transparent as possible in everything we do - from our bank account to our processes and source code for all applications and solutions. We only develop open-source technologies with a focus on solving a real problem and user, and we further disseminate this know-how to hundreds of individuals and organizations.
Financial sustainability
An investment in Česko.Digital is an investment in development, not in costs. The community is built on expert volunteering, where teams and projects exchange often financially burdensome know-how or technological tools. It is the informal, friendly environment driven by a strong vision for a better future that allows Česko.Digital to excel in speed, flexibility and scaling over the long term.
Tailor-made cooperation
Partners and philanthropists may have different funding preferences, such as making a one-time gift or providing ongoing support. We offer a range of funding options and are flexible in our approach; we have a marketing package for all partners, as we are suitably proud of our partners and supporters.
Everyone has been contributing for several years
Let's change the Czech Republic for the better. It needs it.
We found a way to move our entire company forward. Be there with us and support us. We've been demonstrating for 4 years how digital can help, we've created an automated ecosystem of public sector expert support and with your support we'll be able to accelerate it. We have a detailed systems change plan to solve the problem for the long term. We'd love to meet with you to discuss how we can work together.
Request more information without obligation
Looking for something you didn't find here? We would be happy to give you an overview of our organisation, its operations and plans.
Meet our COO
Jan Kotara leads the tribal community team and will be the best person to answer your questions. Make an appointment.
Are you interested? How to contribute and what to do next
Contact us and we will discuss how to best use your resources and capacities to change the Czech Republic for the better.