JINAG acts as a practical partner to municipalities in implementing innovations, rather than as a supplier of one-off solutions. Our support covers the entire process – from the initial idea through exploring options to the implementation and evaluation of specific projects. We always tailor our services to the municipality's actual capacities and needs.
The basis is formed by expert consultations, during which we analyze the initial situation with the municipality, identify problems and opportunities, and explore realistic options for further action. These are not general recommendations, but specific feedback on projects, strategies, or plans that municipalities are actually working on.
The consultations are followed by awareness-raising and education workshops, seminars, and the sharing of good practices, which help municipalities better understand trends, tools, and working solutions from Czechia and abroad. The goal is not to "train for training's sake," but to reduce uncertainty and fears about innovation.
For municipalities that want to go further, we provide mentoring and longer-term support. This is focused on developing officials' and municipal leadership's competencies, strengthening strategic thinking, and enabling independent innovation even after the end of cooperation.
Project assistance: from idea to implementation
Project assistance is also an important part of our role. In practice, this means JINAG's active involvement in the preparation of project plans focused on innovation, finding suitable financing, coordinating steps, or providing support during implementation. This reduces the burden on municipalities and increases the chance that a good idea will actually turn into a realized project.
In addition, JINAG actively participates in specific projects—as an initiator, partner, or expert guarantor. These projects have clearly defined goals, measurable outputs, and links to the strategic priorities of the region and municipalities. It is through these projects that municipalities often best "feel" how innovation can work in their conditions.
Innovation brokering as a way of working
Across all these services, we use the principles of innovation brokering—connecting municipalities with experts, technologies, data, financing, and other partners. This is not a separate service, but a way of working that helps bridge the gap between an idea and its implementation. We are implementing the innovation brokering project as part of the CESMOD project. Experience confirms that this systematic and human-centered approach is key for municipalities.
Our goal is not to deliver technology or a document, but to help municipalities navigate the change process so they understand it, master it, and reap long-term benefits. Thanks to the study, we know exactly where municipalities need support and can offer it in a targeted, practical way.
Examples of how municipalities can collaborate with us:
In the municipality of Drnholec, we supported public involvement in the design of the town square, focusing on heat resistance and climate challenges.
In the municipality of Ratiboř, as a partner and methodological coordinator in the international Be Ready project, we helped with a sensory mapping method, in which residents marked places with uncomfortably high temperatures. Based on this data, the municipality proposed measures to improve the microclimate.
In Kyjov, as an application partner and facilitator of the participatory process, we worked with the Polámané site, connecting international methodologies for sustainable land use with local actors and helping formulate scenarios for the future development of the brownfield site with regard to climate, biodiversity, and the city's needs.
In Šebetov, as an application partner of the pilot project "Use of the 5G network for effective monitoring in the care of users in residential social services," we helped to comprehensively deploy assistive technologies and telemedicine connected to the 5G infrastructure for the first time in Czechia, creating a model of modern care that increases client safety, staff work efficiency, and decision-making quality, serving as a demonstrative solution with the potential for nationwide expansion.
For the municipality of Olomoučany, we researched grant opportunities for the restoration of a recreational and cultural area with a pond.
You can find more examples of our collaborations HERE.
