The VOL Zůstat na svobodě Project Has Been Successfully Completed

The project VOL Zůstat na svobodě (“Staying Free”), reg. no. CZ.03.02.01/00/22_043/0001489, has been successfully completed. It was implemented from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2026.

The project delivered a comprehensive social inclusion programme for people serving prison sentences and for those after release, and prepared them for a return to everyday life. Its main goal was to strengthen the clients’ competencies, skills and independence, to make their reintegration into society easier and to reduce the risk of reoffending.

An important part of the project was the involvement of mentors, who ensured a smooth transition of clients to life outside prison. Mentoring was complemented by workshops focused on the labour market and on employment, legal and debt counselling.

A total of 608 persons took part in the project, and their participation was recorded in monitoring sheets. Another significant result is the support provided to 113 persons for whom insolvency proceedings were filed or approved.

The project included a range of educational and support activities that helped clients prepare for life after release. These included:

•       financial literacy,

•       basics of law and social literacy,

•       development of communication skills,

•       orientation in the labour market,

•       preparation for release,

•       mentoring and accompaniment.

These activities helped participants find their way in everyday life and strengthened their independence, responsibility and readiness to return to society.

The end of the project does not mean the end of our work. Support for clients continues, because returning to freedom is a demanding step that requires not only thorough preparation during the sentence, but also an individual approach and follow-up help after release.

We thank all the clients, cooperating organisations and partners who took part in the project. We truly appreciate the joint effort that helps make the return to freedom a real chance for a new beginning.

Illustrative image (created using AI).

Project “VOL Zůstat na svobodě”, reg. no. CZ.03.02.01/00/22_043/0001489, is supported by the Operational Programme Employment Plus, which is co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus.