We invite you to the kick-off meeting for the VOL project Without Invisible Victims

Prague, 25 July 2025

As we have already reported, on 1 May 2025 we launched a new three-year project VOL Without Invisible Victims, supported by the European Social Fund (OPZ+), whose key partner is also the Federation of Children's Homes FICE ČR.

The project is aimed not only at families and children of parents in prison, but also at professionals and workers who work with these target groups in practice. Based on suggestions from prisons, OSPOD and children's homes, we are now preparing an initial joint meeting to connect all these entities and create a space for sharing experiences, needs and planning further activities.

When and where?

📅 23 October 2025

📍 Světlá nad Sázavou Prison

(We thank Director Brig. Gen. Monika Myšičková for the invitation and support of this event.)

Who is the meeting for?

This initial meeting is primarily intended for staff from prisons and children’s homes. These participants are welcome to invite their colleagues from social and legal child protection services (OSPOD) or other cooperating professionals working with children and families affected by incarceration.

Why is connection important?

In practice, we know that staff from different services often lack insight into the work of their colleagues in other institutions — they don’t know their conditions, capacities, or challenges. Yet coordinated collaboration is crucial for effectively supporting children, who belong to one of the most vulnerable groups in society.

Our goal is to create a space for:

– Open discussion about the needs of the target group

– Planning of joint workshops and educational activities

– Mutual familiarization with the environments involved — such as prisons or children’s homes

Who else will be involved?

We are pleased to confirm the participation of Mr. Štěpán Jílek, Ombudsman and Commissioner for Institutional and Protective Education (Section of Education and Youth). We have also informed Ms. Klára Laurenčíková, and expect to involve additional experts.

What next?

📩 We would be happy to hear from you and welcome your suggestions for other potential participants.

📅 Please save the date – 23 October 2025. The detailed programme is currently being prepared and will be sent to all registered participants in due time.

If you have any questions or are interested in attending, don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to meeting you and working together to support families and children whose parents are serving a prison sentence.

The project “VOL Without Invisible Victims” (reg. no. CZ.03.02.02/00/24_066/0004673) is supported by the Employment Plus Operational Programme and co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus.