This Year We're Once Again Backing Mladá Boleslav's Participatory Budget

Residents of Mladá Boleslav can once again decide how their city will look. The participatory budget for 2026 lets people propose — and then choose — specific projects that will improve public space and quality of life in the city. Our endowment fund will once again support the participatory budget with CZK 1 million.

We see the chance to take an active part in deciding how the city develops as an important precondition for strong, confident communities. The participatory budget is a concrete tool that brings residents, local government and partners together and turns local ideas into real changes in the spaces where people live.

The participatory budget, which has been running in the city since 2020, has become a popular way for citizens to directly shape their surroundings. It has given rise to projects such as the pier on the Klenice river, the “poeziomat” at Krásná louka and the memorial on the site of the former synagogue.

We trust the ideas of citizens.

The total amount earmarked for the 2026 participatory budget is CZK 2 million. Projects to be carried out in 2026 will share a total of CZK 2 million among them. Half this sum is provided by the City of Mladá Boleslav, the other half is added by the ŠKODA AUTO Endowment Fund. Every citizen can submit one proposal, with maximum implementation costs of CZK 500,000. The fundamental condition is that the project must serve the public and contribute to improving public space.

Why are we supporting the project again?

This is the second time we have helped to fund it. Our director Ladislav Kučera explains why: “We're contributing to Mladá Boleslav's participatory budget for the second time because we can see how active public involvement — both in proposing projects and in voting — strengthens people's relationship with their city. The submitted proposals also showcase wonderful new creative ways to develop public space — and that is exactly the area that is key for our endowment fund.”

How to take part?

Got an idea for a new playground, a park improvement or some other enhancement in your neighbourhood? You can submit your proposals from 1 February to 10 March. They can be sent electronically (via data box, email), by post, or handed in personally at the registry. All the necessary forms and contacts can be found here.

Proposals will then go through a formal assessment and a feasibility check. Those that meet all the requirements will move on to public voting. People will be able to choose between the proposed projects in May through the Mladá Boleslav v mobilu mobile app.

All information and the necessary forms can be found on the city's website in the Participatory Budget section.