13. 05. 2026
Author: Zuzana Novotná
Press Release: School as a Laboratory for Democracy
Brno, May 13, 2026 – How can schools teach democracy in ways other than through textbooks? In the South Moravian Region, the “Improve Your School” program provides the answer by introducing participatory budgeting in schools. Through this program, students propose, advocate for, and select projects that improve their school environment.
To evaluate the project’s outcomes, participating schools, students, school coordinators, principals, and program implementers gathered at the “School as a Laboratory of Democracy” conference to share their experiences with how schools change when young people are given the opportunity to decide on specific changes in their environment.
The "Improve Your School" program began in the 2023–2024 school year as a pilot project at six schools. A year later, 60 participatory budgeting initiatives had already taken place at 58 schools, and in the 2025–2026 school year, 95 participatory budgeting initiatives are underway at 92 schools. Over the past two school years, students have proposed 373 projects, cast more than 35,000 votes, and contributed to implementing 78 specific improvements to the school environment.
The project was created through a collaboration between the South Moravian Region, the South Moravian Agency for Public Innovation (JINAG), and the City of Brno. It builds on experiences with participatory budgeting and helps young people develop civic, financial, presentation, and project management skills. Through the project, students experience the entire process—from coming up with an idea to presenting and voting, to implementing the winning project.
“Improve Your School shows that participation isn’t an abstract concept. For young people, it’s a very practical experience: they have an idea, they have to think it through, present it to others, gain support, and turn it into reality,” says project author Dagmar Peřinová, head of the participation team at the South Moravian Agency for Public Innovation (JINAG).
Students most frequently proposed improvements to hallways and common areas, relaxation corners, classroom furnishings, sports equipment, school restrooms, technology, or schoolyards. The majority of proposals focused on the very places where students spend time outside of class—hallways, club rooms, relaxation zones, or libraries.
Each participating school can receive up to 36,000 CZK in funding from the South Moravian Region, of which 30,000 CZK is earmarked directly for the implementation of student projects, 5,000 CZK for the school coordinator’s work, and 1,000 CZK for prizes for the creators of the winning designs. In the 2024/2025 school year, more than 1.74 million CZK was allocated to student projects, bringing the total to nearly 1.92 million CZK since the program’s inception.
“School shouldn’t just be a place where knowledge is imparted, but also a space where young people can explore how society works. That’s exactly what the ‘Improve Your School’ program makes possible—it gives students the confidence and responsibility to make decisions about matters that directly affect them. The results show that when given the opportunity, they can come up with well-thought-out ideas and see them through to the end. I am glad that, as a region, we can be part of this and support schools that want to guide their students toward active citizenship,” states Karel Jurka, Regional Councilor for Education.
The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic and the Department of Education of the South Moravian Region also participated in the conference program.
“For children, school is the first institution through which they encounter the state. If we want to raise democratic citizens, schools must not be authoritarian but must themselves function as spaces where children learn initiative and the ability to make independent decisions. It is precisely when students take responsibility for their ideas and understand the impact of their actions on others that we build a truly resilient society. Learning democracy through practice is the best way to shape young people into self-confident and considerate members of the community,” says Ministerial Counselor Vítězslav Slíva, who works in the Strategy Department at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.
The "Improve Your School" project will continue in the 2026–2027 school year. Schools that wish to give students more room to develop their own ideas, foster their sense of responsibility, promote collaboration, and strengthen their connection to the school environment can find the latest information at www.vylepsisiskolu.cz.
Examples of completed projects
Moravský Krumlov High School, Garden Gazebo
T.G. Masaryk High School, Hustopeče, Table Soccer
Břeclav High School and Language School, Sanitary Supplies for Women's Restrooms
Contact person:
Dagmar Peřinová,
Participation Team Leader, JINAG
Phone: 606 551 509
Email: dagmar.perinova@jinag.eu