CZ
15.05.2026
140 secondary school students took part in the inaugural event
On 12 May, 2026, Škoda Auto University hosted the first edition of Europe Day, organised within the framework of the CREATE project (Czech Resilience in Europe through Awareness, Training and Empowerment). The aim of the event was to bring the European Union closer to students and strengthen their understanding of its role in everyday life.
A total of 140 students from six partner secondary schools across the Central Bohemian Region attended the event, gaining a unique opportunity to engage in an interactive programme focused on European topics.
The programme opened with an introduction to the CREATE project, of which Europe Day is an integral part. The project was presented by its manager, Lenka Stejskalová. The participants were then officially welcomed by Petr Šulc, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Quality Management and a member of the project team.
“We highly value the connection between secondary schools and the only university in the region. This partnership creates unique opportunities for cooperation in areas that are essential for both levels of education,” said Petr Šulc.
The first part of the programme began with a lecture delivered by Pavel Neset, Head of the Department of Economics and Law. Students were introduced to the history and functioning of the European Union, its key institutions, and current topics in European cooperation. The lecture also highlighted the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations of European integration. Discussions focused on the roles of institutions such as the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the EU, as well as the impact of their decisions on the daily lives of citizens and businesses.
The session provided not only a solid theoretical foundation but also practical insights into current EU challenges, international cooperation, and the future direction of Europe.
This was followed by an interactive programme where students actively tested their knowledge. They engaged in discussions on myths and facts about the EU, identified Member States based on flags, currencies, and languages, and worked with real-life examples of European cooperation.
A key part of the programme was students presentations on the topic “How the European Union Supports My Region.” Secondary school students presented specific projects funded by EU resources in their local areas, demonstrating how European support contributes to regional development and improves quality of life.
Presented
projects included, for example:
reconstruction of a kindergarten in Všelibice,
restoration of a chapel in Kozmice,
extension and renovation of a school in Březno,
the Vejsplachy sports complex in Vrchlabí,
funding for crime prevention assistants in Mladá Boleslav,
modernisation of facilities at the Secondary Medical School in Mladá Boleslav,
revitalisation of Masaryk Square in Mnichovo Hradiště.
The presentations covered project implementation, funding mechanisms, and their benefits for local communities, complemented by perspectives from residents and municipal representatives.
The entire programme was prepared by the project team consisting of Lenka Stejskalová, Denisa Římalová, Petr Šulc, Pavel Neset, Miluše Löffelmannová, Zuzana Havlisová, Oleksandra Chaban, and Barbora Bláhová. Students from the follow-on Master’s programme at Škoda Auto University were also actively involved in both the preparation and delivery of the event.