About this challenge
Czechia
Challenge description
Žďár nad Sázavou is a small‑sized town (~20,000 inhabitants) in the Vysočina region, Czechia. The city already disposes of an extensive analytical base and several sectoral strategies (transport, housing, social services, environment, Smart City, etc.) and an Integrated Action Plan from the URBACT In4Green network. Our challenge is not to produce another large document, but to design an agile, integrated and SDG‑based development strategy for 2027–2034.
The new strategy should:
- consolidate existing strategies and projects into a clear, easy‑to‑use decision framework rather than a static list of investments;
- localise the UN Sustainable Development Goals and integrate them into everyday municipal planning, budgeting and monitoring;
- respond to our long‑term demographic trends (shrinking and ageing city) by focusing on the silver economy and active ageing, affordable and quality housing, sustainable energy and climate‑neutrality, talent attraction and retention, and systematic work with children and young people;
A key ambition is how the strategy is created. Through a structured co‑creation process we want to:
- use the strategy as a learning opportunity for municipal practitioners and elected representatives, strengthening internal capacities for strategic and evidence‑based planning;
- develop practical city‑wide guidelines and standards for citizen and stakeholder participation, including work with vulnerable and less‑heard groups;
- build shared ownership of the city vision across departments, politicians, businesses, civil society, educational institutions and residents.
The strategy must also be aligned with the upcoming EU funding period 2028–2034 so that it helps the city to prioritise investments and partnerships that accelerate the green and digital transition while maintaining social cohesion and quality of life.
The new strategy should:
- consolidate existing strategies and projects into a clear, easy‑to‑use decision framework rather than a static list of investments;
- localise the UN Sustainable Development Goals and integrate them into everyday municipal planning, budgeting and monitoring;
- respond to our long‑term demographic trends (shrinking and ageing city) by focusing on the silver economy and active ageing, affordable and quality housing, sustainable energy and climate‑neutrality, talent attraction and retention, and systematic work with children and young people;
A key ambition is how the strategy is created. Through a structured co‑creation process we want to:
- use the strategy as a learning opportunity for municipal practitioners and elected representatives, strengthening internal capacities for strategic and evidence‑based planning;
- develop practical city‑wide guidelines and standards for citizen and stakeholder participation, including work with vulnerable and less‑heard groups;
- build shared ownership of the city vision across departments, politicians, businesses, civil society, educational institutions and residents.
The strategy must also be aligned with the upcoming EU funding period 2028–2034 so that it helps the city to prioritise investments and partnerships that accelerate the green and digital transition while maintaining social cohesion and quality of life.
This city is looking for
Žďár nad Sázavou is looking for peer cities of a similar size that have recently renewed their city strategy in an agile, integrated and SDG‑oriented way and can share both methods and lessons learned. In particular, we would benefit from expertise and skills in the following areas:
Strategy design & governance
- Structuring a light, framework‑type city strategy
- Translating SDGs into local priorities, indicators and budget decisions.
- Building cross‑departmental ownership and political commitment over several electoral cycles.
Participation, co‑creation & communication
- Designing co‑creation processes that treat strategy‑making as a capacity‑building and learning tool
- Creating practical guidelines and internal standards for citizen participation
- Innovative communication and branding of a new strategy
Thematic know‑how linked to our priorities
- Integrating silver economy and active‑ageing policies into overall city development (services, housing, labour market, ...).
- Approaches to affordable and energy‑efficient housing, including municipal rental models and mixed‑tenure projects.
- Sustainable energy and climate‑neutrality for industrial cities
- Talent attraction and retention in shrinking cities
We are especially interested in peer cities that can demonstrate how they turned strategy‑making into a continuous, data‑informed practice and are willing to exchange tools and possibly organise mutual study visits or staff exchanges.
Strategy design & governance
- Structuring a light, framework‑type city strategy
- Translating SDGs into local priorities, indicators and budget decisions.
- Building cross‑departmental ownership and political commitment over several electoral cycles.
Participation, co‑creation & communication
- Designing co‑creation processes that treat strategy‑making as a capacity‑building and learning tool
- Creating practical guidelines and internal standards for citizen participation
- Innovative communication and branding of a new strategy
Thematic know‑how linked to our priorities
- Integrating silver economy and active‑ageing policies into overall city development (services, housing, labour market, ...).
- Approaches to affordable and energy‑efficient housing, including municipal rental models and mixed‑tenure projects.
- Sustainable energy and climate‑neutrality for industrial cities
- Talent attraction and retention in shrinking cities
We are especially interested in peer cities that can demonstrate how they turned strategy‑making into a continuous, data‑informed practice and are willing to exchange tools and possibly organise mutual study visits or staff exchanges.
City size
Towns (< 50,000 inhabitants)
Author
Tomáš Pleva
Czechia
Project manager
Municipality of Žďár nad Sázavou
