TPCA shall give CZK 4, 001, 760 for socially useful projects in the Kolín region. The committee selected 14 winning projects out of the 102 which applied for the grant program Partnership for the Kolín region. The aim of the program is to contribute to sustainable development of the Kolín region and promote greater integration and cooperation in the region. 

The nine-member committee composed of TPCA representatives, the local government and regional non-profit organizations selected the winning projects that meet the criteria of the program Partnership for the Kolín region. Of the 102 requests, the committee selected 14 projects dividing the amount to 4,001,760 CZK.

The Committee has chosen projects that are long-term, necessary and useful, involve as many partners and have a wider social impact. The projects had to even meet formal criteria such as a clear development of the project’s focus, transparent financing, project implementation that is measurable and more. 

After last year, when only TPCA representatives decided on the winners of the grant program, this year, the selection committee was greatly expanded. Its members were the Deputy Governor of the Central Bohemia Region Josef Kantůrek, Kněžičky mayor Miloslav Riha, Elbe Valley Museum historian Peter Šorm, three NGO representatives and three TPCA representatives. Project administration was performed by the renowned Partnership Foundation, which is the most significant Czech foundation supporting environmental projects and sustainable development in all regions of the Czech Republic.

Among the 14 winning projects is the Kindergarten in Kolín - Sendražice that shall utilize the amount of 216,000 crowns for the reconstruction of the playground and to restore greenery in the school garden.
The village Veltruby received 800,000 crowns to construct the remaining portions of the cycling path from Veltruby to Velký Osek (last year TPCA provided the village Veltruby with 800,000 crowns for the construction of the bridge for the cycling path). The Committee also selected the request by the municipality Velký Osek, which shall use the 630,000 crowns to cover the costs of repairing roads, lighting, planting greenery and benches on the pedestrian promenade around Bačovka (In 2004 TPCA contributed to the municipality 580,000 CZK to build a playground at the elementary school.)

Even a part of the historic Kolín’s Sugar Beet Railroad will be restored from the financial contribution awarded from the Partnership for the Kolín region. This should become a new attractive tourist place and a space for leisure activities for the Kolín public in the future.

Among non-investment projects of the Partnership for the Kolín region, which will be implemented in 2005, include support for personal assistance for seniors, the participation of children from socially disadvantaged families at a summer camp, purchasing cycling equipment for people with mental disabilities, or the dance project “The Story of the Street”. 

In the past year TPCA has financially supported five projects in the total amount of CZK 2 050 000. In 2005, the amount was increased to CZK 4, 000, 000 and apart from municipalities other partners could have applied for the grants.

The administration is under the Partnership Foundation, who since its establishment in 1991 to the end of 2003 has supported in the form of financial grants over 100 million crowns for 1350 project for non-profit organizations and municipalities.  

Projects selected by the grant committee of the program Partnership for the Kolín region
 
1 / Restoration Club for Kolín’s Sugar Beet Railroad - Recovery of Kolín’s Sugar Beet Railroad / 800 000 CZK
The restoration of the historic Kolín’s Sugar Beet Railroad shall contribute to the development of tourism in Kolín. The railroad shall become a new attractive tourist place and space for leisure activities for the general public.

2 / Town Veltruby -  Cycling path, 3rd Phase / 800 000 CZK
The contribution shall be used to construct the missing stretch of the cycling path leading from Veltruby to Velký Osek. The cycling path is used mainly by citizens to travel to work, the last section around the village Veltruby is left to complete.

3 / The European Centre for deaf pantomime - cultural and educational projects for children and young people / 320 000 CZK
The project includes conceptual work in extracurricular activities designed especially for children and youth of the children’s educational institute Býchory and club events for the public. It allows for the implementation of cultural and educational activities for school children and youth, children from an educational institution and youth apprenticeships, which are interpreted by deaf actors on the show OPEN in Kolín.

4 / Kindergarten Kolín Sendražice - Children's Paradise / 216 000 CZK
The project will ensure the reconstruction of the playground and restore greenery in the garden nursery.

5 / Town Velký Osek - pedestrian promenade around Bačovka in Velký Osek / 630 000 CZK
The pedestrian promenade along the Working house and Masaryk School in Velký Osek will be repaired, illuminated, greenery planted, benches and garbage bins placed. This will create a relaxing place for pre-school children and youth. The repairs will be made exclusively by local businesses; Naděje o.p.s. shall be responsibleformaintenance and use.

6 / Little Theatre Kolín - Upgrading lighting equipment / 70,000 CZK
Upgrading technical equipment (purchasing lighting desk, lighting fixtures and wiring) will contribute to the improvement of performances.

7 / O. S. Sports Harbor Kolín – Implementation study for the construction of a marina / 64 000 CZK
The project is aimed at determining the possible implementation of port construction for sports craft on the river Elbe, determining suitable locations and creating conditions for the use of co-funding, including EU funds. Construction of this port shall open Kolín to Europe’s emerging forms of tourism and shall contribute to a better environment by cleaning areas along the river.

8 / Scout - Association of Scouts and Guides of the Czech Republic, STOPA Kolín – Kalcovka centre/ 100 000 CZK
The contribution will provide the necessary repairs to the building "Kalcovka" which serves as a clubhouse for more than 200 scouts in Kolín. This involves the reconstruction of the roof, which is currently in a state of disrepair.
 
9 / O. p Barry et al. - The story of the Street / 214000 CZK
The ideological goal of the project is the integration of children with different fates and mentality. In a dance performance that modifies L. Bernstein's musical West Side Story with elements of modern ballet, step and stage dance, children from mainstream schools will dance with children from orphanages and children of Roma ethnicity.

10 / Association for mentally handicapped in Kolín - Integration of mentally handicapped, cycling / 184 000 CZK
Purchasing cycling equipment for people with mental disabilities so they can participate in sightseeing tours, planned and implemented in collaboration with relatives and friends. The project will help integrate children and adults with mental disabilities into society, strengthening their independence, orientation, and other skills.

11 / O. s Semiramis - Long-term primary prevention / 67 600 CZK
The project will secure primary prevention for children from grades 6 to 9 in Kolín Elementary schools. The long-term program (work with one class for 4 years) is not only focused on addictive substances, but also on a variety of undesirable phenomena which children and young people encounter in their lives - the issue of interpersonal orientation and search lifestyle, peer pressure, aggression, truancy, bullying, racism, crime, etc.

12 / Digne - Personal assistance as a way to live in dignity / 300 000 CZK
The project is focused on personal assistance to seniors in Kolín. Seniors who cannot take care of themselves, and disabled people, will be able to live in their environment, way of life, which is closest to human life without a disability.

13 / Kolín’s Roma Association - Summer Camp at Starý Rybník / 76 160 CZK
Participation at a summer camp for Roma children and socially disadvantaged families in Kolín is rare. In addition to sports games, trips, the camp program will also hold lectures (with the participation of a physician for children and youth, workers from drug centers and Roma educated personalities that will encourage children to get an education and future employment).

14 / SYMPATHEA - Development of the first organization of relatives of mentally ill in Kolin / 160 000 CZK
The mission of the SYMPATHEA Association is to improve the situation of mentally ill and their relatives. The aim of the project is to develop a Shelah association in Kolin to which SYMPATHEA will provide professional patronage. The basic element of the project is education through a series of lectures for professionals, leaflets, seminars for the public, etc.