NDI worked in the Czech Republic from 1992 until 1996. Now, more than ten years since the Velvet Revolution, the Czech Republic is on the road to a stable democracy and a functioning market economy. A member of NATO and a candidate for EU membership, the Czech Republic is integrating into Euro-Atlantic institutions and continuing its economic transition.
The Czechs, however, continue to debate the character of the democracy they envision for the future; the heart of this debate focuses on the role of civil society and the merits of centralization versus decentralization of government, and government accountability and transparency. While the basic foundations and institutions of democracy and rule of law seem to be firmly in place, many have criticized the country's political system for being too centralized, retarding the growth of a civil society and limiting the ability of citizens to influence local and national politics.
Throughout Eastern and Central Europe, citizens are struggling to understand their new role in the democratic process and are gradually learning to assert themselves in solving social, economic and political problems. In the Czech Republic, NDI worked to facilitate the development of an active and organized NGO sector to promote access of citizens to the democratic political process. Although NDI no longer conducts programs in the Czech Republic, many of the activities initiated by NDI are continued through the efforts of civic organizations and political actors
Political Party Development
Prior to parliamentary elections in June 1992 NDI conducted a political party development program in the Czech and Slovak Federal Republics designed to assist parties in organizational development and election strategy. NDI held a series of workshops and consultations on strengthening party organization; effective campaign management and planning; role of candidates; communications; voter contact and targeting; message development and media relations.
Public Advocacy
In July 1993, NDI determined that one of the main challenges to the development of democracy in Czech Republic was the absence of direct citizen involvement in matters of public policy. While numerous civic groups existed, most suffered from inadequate resources and poor organizational and planning skills. Many NGOs were not taken seriously by the government or the public-at-large. Additionally, most civic groups were located in Prague and there were few avenues available for citizens to be engaged in political life outside of the capital. Based on this assessment, NDI launched a program to enhance the abilities of civic organizations and activists to articulate citizen interests at the local level.
In March 1994, NDI began work in the city of Plzen to create a model for civic organizing. NDI fostered a coalition among community organizations and train coalition leaders on advocacy and organizing. At the same time, NDI worked with local elected officials on constituency servicing and public outreach techniques. With NDI assistance, the Center for Non-Profit Organizations in Plzen (CNOP) was formed from among a diverse group of civic groups and worked to: educate citizens and focus efforts on important local issues; provide training to local NGO sector in such areas as fundraising, public relations, organizing, advocacy; and raise the visibility of local NGO sector by coordinating activities and conducting public relations campaigns.
In 1996, based on the model developed in Plzen, NDI initiated two new municipal NGO coalitions - the Jihlava Coalition for Non Profit Organizations (JKNO) and the Free Association of Non-Profit Organizations (VSNO) in Ceske Budejovice. Efforts to consolidate this organizing model are continued through the Center for Community Work, which has promoted the establishment of new community coalitions in Ostrava, Olomouc, and Karlovy Vary. The center also facilitates advocacy trainings and networking opportunities in coordination with its Slovak counterpart, the Citizens' Action Center, based in Banska Bystrica.
Contact Information
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