ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Empowering citizens and protecting the environment

NeSehnutí promotes environmental sustainability and citizen empowerment through campaigns, educational programmes, and public debates. Notable actions include advocating for green spaces in Brno, winning legal battles to protect urban gardens, and engaging citizens in commenting on urban planning. Their work also focuses on promoting sustainable mobility and food values. 

Mobilizing citizens for inclusive and sustainable change
The organisation targets citizens of all backgrounds, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, and migrants. They have successfully mobilised these groups to participate in local decision-making processes, influencing policies related to urban development and climate change. Their advocacy for a sustainable and inclusive society is felt at both local and national levels. 

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

From demonstration to foundation:
Czech parents unite for climate action

At the demonstration ‘Parents for Climate’ which was held in May 2019 in Liberec (a city in Czech Republic), parents, grandparents and non-parents gathered and shared their worries about the future of humankind and the environment. This led to the foundation of the initiative ‘Rodiče za klima Liberec’ (‘Parents for Climate Liberec’) whose goal is to point out problems, raise awareness in relation to climate crisis and initiate change. The initiative is led by a mother called Anna Kšírová, and includes (single) parents and elderly people as active actors for change.

Political action
The initiative cooperates with local authorities in Liberec. It initiated the Climate Council of the municipality and takes part in it. Due to the initiative’s activities, a position of energy manager within the municipality was established. Also, a Green space adoption program was approved, through which citizens can actively participate in caring about green public spaces in the city. Finally, Parents for Climate Liberec initiated a creation of a regional Climate change adaptation plan which is one of the first of its kind in Czech Republic.

Fruitful collaborations
In addition to its political engagement, the initiative organises various activities (lectures, workshops, happenings, cultural events) and participates in activities of other initiatives, such as an event where mothers sang songs while collecting signatures against spreading a coal mine in Turow. The initiative also actively participated in a campaign called Stop Dirty Money which focuses on insurance companies. The collaborations are about supporting other initiative’s activities, as well as sharing experiences and knowledge.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Large scale food waste reduction in the Czech Republic with ‘Safe the Food’

Since its initiation in 2013 in Prague, the initiative Zachraň Jídlo (Safe the Food) has conducted several awareness-raising campaigns, participated in research projects and sought systemic changes to reduce food waste. It aims for the Czech Republic to reduce food waste with 50% between 2020 and 2030. For this to happen, consumers, farmers, retailers and restaurateurs need to radically reduce the amount of food discarded and at the same time make food waste socially unacceptable. The initiative also strives to motivate the state, cities and municipalities to take concrete measures to reduce waste. Saved food is given to vulnerable groups, such as homeless people and migrants.

Changing the system
Safe the Food combines research, activism, awareness-raising activities and active engagement of volunteers while cooperating with a large numbers of actors, such as firms, local authorities and NGOs. As such, it manages to achieve systemic changes. Because of its campaign ‘I am ready’ in 2016, huge supermarket chains started to sell “ugly” vegetables and fruit. Another example of significant change is that in 2013, Safe the Food initiated debate on a 15% tax imposed on food which supermarkets give to charities or food banks. A year later the tax was cancelled.

Serving those in need
Safe the Food actively works with people without homes, migrants, people with low income, single parents, including mothers, and seniors. It organises workshops for them, maps their needs and provides them with food and meals. For example, the initiative organised a workshop about how to cook sustainably and for ‘few crowns’. Safe the Food shared recipes with participants, cooked together and taught them how to store food. Another significant happening was the Lunch in Need (2021), when 162 lunch leftovers from various canteens and restaurants in Prague were delivered to vulnerable groups.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Empowering people to live and work ecologically (Czech Republic)

Ekologický institute Veronica (Ecological Institute Veronica), located in Brno, Czech Republic, aims to protect nature through education, trainings and consulting. The association is registered under the Czech Union for Nature Conservation since 1991. Yet, it already started in 1986 as a local activity publishing a journal connecting culture with nature protection and raising awareness about ecology.

Focus areas
The institute focuses on protection of nature and landscapes, including protection of animals and land in both urban and rural areas; sustainable consumption; ecological operation of enterprises and institutions, pertaining to energy efficiency and biodiversity in and around buildings; and finally ecological constructions, such as passive houses, sustainable energy, energy self-sufficient towns and natural gardens.

Accessible learning about ecology
As one of their projects, the institute built an ecological training centre in Hostětín where they provide educational activities about climate protection for people with disabilities, seniors, children and the general public. The institute develops their relationship with nature, motivates them to protect the environment and shows possibilities for applying a more ecological approach in their households. In order to be accessible to anyone, the centre is adapted for people with disabilities. The institute also employs people with disabilities and others who are disadvantaged on the labour market, thus helping those who are socio-economically vulnerable.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Czech mother and son inspire local communities to produce and consume sustainable food

Bio Pekárna Zemanka (Bio Bakery Zemanka) is a producer of fair homemade organic biscuits and crackers. The bakery was founded in 2006 in a Czech town called Sedlčany by a son and his mother, who is a professional baker. They also opened a shop in Prague where they sell their freshly baked goods. The duo bakes for anyone who wants to eat healthy and sustainably and dedicates special efforts to children, including those with allergies, and vegans.

The business focuses on sustainability and environmentally friendly production. The founders purchase raw materials from Czech suppliers and local organic farmers, and process raw materials that have already been used in line with circular economy principles. They pack their products in easily recyclable packaging to minimise packaging waste, and deliver their products to packaging-free stores using shared transport to minimise carbon footprints. Thanks to this, they saved hundreds of kilos of foil and paper. Moreover, they use energy only from renewable sources.

Workshops for children
To educate, inspire and motivate children, the Bio Bakery organised online workshops in schools about its work and more generally about sustainable food production and consumption. The workshops included an introduction to the team and a virtual tour of the bakery.

Employing locals
Motivated to be more involved in the development of the Sedlčany region, the bakery owners support local projects and employ local people. They apply a progressive attitude towards their employees, having Code of Ethics, Chart of diversity, and voluntary programs for employees to participate in two days a month. The mother and son also educate their employees on ecology and sustainability. Their aim is to inspire other companies and individuals to develop sustainable businesses as well. Thanks to their efforts, they received a Green Brands award in 2021.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

From festivals to board games: Czech NGO inspires sustainable lifestyles

Na Mysli is a Czech non-profit organization founded in 2019, dealing with issues of global sustainability, climate change and related environmental aspects. They try to restore the relationship between the urban population and the environment, support and motivate individuals on the way to a responsible lifestyle and simplify these steps for them. Based in Malotice (Czech Republic), the NGO’s vision is for all residents to adopt a lifestyle based on mutual respect between the community and the environment, for a prosperous planet and a sustainable future.

Sharing knowledge
The organisation is mainly engaged in educational work in the field of climate change, food security, sustainable agriculture and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The NGO organizes screenings of documentary films, debates with experts and thematic workshops. They tailor-make interactive training for employees, students and the public, where participants assimilate environmental topics in a fun way. Another activity is offering sustainable lifestyle consultations for individuals and organizations.

Activities for all age groups
Activities focus on kids and young people, but are also made accessible to other vulnerable groups, such as elderly and people with low income. Some of their activities are free of charge to be attractive for various groups. Examples include playing climate-themed board games and attending a film festival called ‘The Earth on a Plate’ (2021).

LGBTQA+ community
Na Mysli actively participated in the Prague Pride festival as they helped with its sustainability and provided awareness-raising activities. The organisation also makes visible women experts, politicians, activists, hereby interconnecting climate topics and human rights. Worth mentioning is that the NGO uses gender sensitive language and is led by four women.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal Euro This bottom-up initiative was collected within the Sustainable Mobility research line. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Walk the City, Czech Republic

Walk the City is a women-led ecological association in Prague concerned with the development of walking as a means of transport, air pollution, and the regulation of car traffic.

Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have emphasised the importance of developing a walkable city. Initially, they were focused on women and the barriers they face in urban mobility, but in time this expanded to also include other groups. They advocate for the protection of pedestrians, in particular older people and children on their way to school, the promotion of walking as a healthy and sustainable means of transport, and the improvement of public spaces.

An example of one of their actions consists of collaborating with schools to organise events where children and their parents are ‘challenged’ to walk to school as often as possible emphasising that “it is a great opportunity to move”. They support these kinds of events by trying to make streets and public spaces safer for children. In this way, behavioural change towards more sustainable mobility is promoted.  

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Photo by Gregorio Cavana from Unsplash

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected by Veronika Fajmonova within ACCTING’s mapping of inspiring practice cases, within the Suistainable Mobility research lines.  Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Bike Kitchen Brno, Czech Republic

Bike Kitchen Brno is an open community bike workshop, voluntary organisation. The project is not just an ordinary community bike workshop, it is an initiative that fosters connection. Their mission is to collect old bikes, learn to repair them together, donate them or sell them for very low/affordable price, create friendships and cook food while doing so. They are united by values, vision, friendship among like-minded individuals who share a deep love for bikes.

Urban Cycling and Social Connection

Driven by shared values, vision and a passion for cycling, the members of Bike Kitchen Brno, decided to create a space where they can share and develop these principales. Their goal is to support urban cycling, develop a sustainable way of life, transport and strengthen people’s competences in bicycle repair and manual work. In addition, they embrace the essence of communal living by cooking vegan meals, share bikes and tools, and make decisions about their activities in a non-hierarchical way with monthly open plenary sessions. The issue of urbanism and public space that is accessible to everyone is important to them. They actively try to speak out against gentrification and its effect on locals, not only on Přízova Street where the initiative is located. They maintain close ties with the local community, organising diverse cultural events that engage residents and participants from surrounding areas.

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Photo: Katerina Holmes on Canva

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected by Veronika Fajmonova within ACCTING’s mapping of inspiring practice cases, within the Farm to Fork Research Line. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Jako Doma, Czech Republic

A project to change the perception of homeless women   

Jako Doma, “Cooks without a Home”, is a project initiated in 2013 by a group of change agents. It’s 1st of its kind in the Czech Republic.  

The idea is to empower homeless women by encouraging them to demonstrate their culinary skills at street markets and festivals. This contributes to reducing the stigma associated with homelessness, proving that these vulnerable people are able and desire to work and help them to integrate into society. As mentioned on their website “We are proud to look at homelessness differently. We believe that with the right help and support, any homeless person can achieve significant positive changes. “ 

To develop a support system and a strong network, the initiative collaborated with local, national, and international partners in the NGO sector (legal advisors, shelters, social workers, and sex-worker support organizations). They work to create a safe and secure location for homeless women where they can frequently gather, unwind, and spend time together. In addition, the project assists them with their administrative concerns including bills, housing, social benefits, etc. They also offer a movie club and a theatre. 

A Vision for the Future 

To further raise awareness about violence against women, and the importance of women’s economic empowerment, a media campaign has been launched. According to an article published by UN Women, Good Garden won a Smart Academy award at Serbia’s Regional Forum of Social Innovations in April 2016 for its sustainability, effectiveness, innovation and its good cause.  

Veran Matic of the Good Garden said: “The first results are encouraging. Our idea is to expand the project to all safe houses and in that way systematically and long-term help economic empowerment of women survivors of violence.” 

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