Community School Development

About this grant

Since its introduction in the Czech Republic in the mid-1990s, the concept of community education has gained the reputation of an effective approach to improving the quality of education in poor neighborhoods, especially in areas with a high Roma population. However, the community education concept has not spread across the country. Multiyear funding will support the creation of the Community Education Network. The network will include representatives of community schools and centers and experts on the issue. Network objectives include conducting preliminary research to assess the perception and expectations of community schools/centers; building the capacity of network members to exchange experiences and best practices; promoting the work of community schools/centers through a Web page; and providing financial support to select community schools/centers to plan and implement activities to improve their work.Nova Skola, established in 1996, is a Czech non-governmental organization working to improve education opportunities for Roma in the Czech Republic.