Projects and strategic partnerships
Association of Social Responsibility
University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice is a proud member of the Association of Corporate Social Responsibility, the largest initiative of the UN sustainable development goals and ESG in the Czech Republic.
National Recovery Plan–Promoting green skills and sustainability
The project is related to the ecological transformation of the education system, in particular by promoting the development of green skills. The project will support the development of a new accredited degree programme and new or innovative courses under existing degree programmes with clearly defined learning outcomes in the areas of sustainability, climate change, environmental protection and biodiversity with due consideration of environmental, social and economic aspects. Another key activity will be the development of the USB Sustainability and Green Transformation Strategy, as well as the establishment of strategic partnerships and the creation of lifelong learning courses, through which the labour market will also be supported in relation to changing labour market needs, addressing skills shortages in the green and energy sectors and ensuring long-term employment.
Within USB, the following constituent parts are involved in the project: the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, Faculty of Theology, and the Rectorate.
During the implementation of this project, strategic partnerships were concluded with the following partners:
Mendel University in Brno
The cooperation between the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice started already during the preparation of the project application; the Memorandum of Cooperation was signed in August 2024 and is valid until at least 2030.
The mutual cooperation includes a number of activities related to the preparation of a strategy and standards for sustainability and social responsibility and defining the role of the sustainability manager and anchoring this position in the university environment. Furthermore, new degree programmes and lifelong learning courses in this field are being developed, where both universities exchange experiences, and provide expertise, mentoring or consultation. An update on the conclusion of the Memorandum is available here.
Ecocentre Koniklec
The cooperation and mutual partnership has been concluded within the framework of the implementation of the project of the National Recovery Plan, Component 7.4 ‘Adaptation of School Programmes – Promotion of Green Skills and Sustainability in Universities’ (project registration number: NPO_JU_MSMT-2115/2024-4).
As part of the cooperation, the ratio of built-up and green space on the University's land will be specified and the current nature trail located on the campus of the University of South Bohemia will be revised.
University of Economics in Prague – Faculty of Management
Both universities signed a declaration of cooperation expressing their common interest in the development of mutual relations, consisting in creating conditions for deepening theoretical and practical skills of the Faculty of Management of the University of Economics and the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. At the same time, both parties are committed to mutual cooperation in the field of sustainability with emphasis on education, research, but also the third role of universities.
The cooperation and mutual partnership is concluded within the framework of the implementation of the project of the National Recovery Plan, Component 7.4 ‘Adaptation of School Programmes – Promotion of Green Skills and Sustainability in Universities’ (project registration number: NPO_JU_MSMT-2115/2024-4).
CzechTourism
The mutual partnership has been concluded within the framework of the implementation of the National Recovery Plan project, Component 7.4.
The opportunities for cooperation are mainly in the following areas:
1. sustainable development and green skills development
· communication of the topic to relevant target groups, promotion;
· Mentoring and consultation across all key activities of the project (development of a new curriculum, courses focused on sustainability, etc.);
· the possibility of mutual participation in lectures, conferences and other events at both institutions;
· sharing and providing expertise and data where appropriate;
· creation of a standard of sustainability and social responsibility in the Czech environment, possibly also with foreign partners;
· other activities agreed by both parties;
· exchange of experience and knowledge, transfer of information and mutual communication on topics related to green skills, the tourism industry and other topics of common interest;
· cooperation at the education level and sharing of statistical data;
· cooperation on joint projects promoting mutual development in the field of sustainability.
More information about the project can be found at NPO Promoting Green Skills and Sustainability
UNILEAD
The strength of the theme of the social responsibility of universities was reflected in the Centralised Development Project (2023) ‘University Leaders in SDG II’, which was a follow-up to the 2022 project. The purpose of the project was to strengthen the role of universities as effective, accountable and inclusive public organisations by ensuring more effective collaboration in the transfer of good practice in the implementation of sustainable development goals within the operational aspects of universities and to progressively shape a voluntary set of recommendations for strategic planning and subsequent implementation of processes and measures. More detailed information on UNILEAD projects is available.
CRENDES
The University of South Bohemia became a member of the Network for Research on Global Development and Sustainability
Should you wish to receive information and invitations to events organised by the Global Development Research Network, please do not hesitate to contact the contact person:
