MAS Radbuza will support the repair of the monastery, municipal sidewalks, and business

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Adam Hauner

Chotěšov - The revitalization of the monastery in Chotěšov, new sidewalks for safety in municipalities, social and agricultural entrepreneurship will be supported by 93 million CZK from EU funds, granted by the Local Action Group Radbuza (MAS). The youngest grouping of 38 municipalities in the Plzeň Region operates in the southwest Plzeň area around Dobřany, Holýšov, Stod, and Nýřany. Calls to ensure the development of the area will be announced in April to May, said MAS manager Václav Kubernát. Including contributions from applicants, approximately 115 million CZK should flow into the region by 2020.

"The subsidies will go towards the developmental needs of the area identified through community and analytical surveys," he stated. Municipalities, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, and schools can apply from the operational programs IROP, Employment, and the Rural Development Program. These include sidewalks and bike paths for which municipalities elsewhere cannot secure funds, support for social enterprises, the operation and staff of social counseling offices, family-friendly measures, such as summer camps and maternal centers, and support for people with difficulties returning to the labor market. Funds can also be used to equip natural sciences and informatics classrooms.

A portion of the funds is allocated for the revitalization of the area's landmark, which is the national cultural monument of the Premonstratensian monastery in Chotěšov. "We regard it as important from a strategic point of view," said Kubernát. The monastery should attract tourists to the region, who would then explore smaller monuments in the area, such as Rochlov Castle, churches in Čečovice and near Všekary, or the mining shafts around Zbůch.

"In the initial calls, we try to include areas where we sense potential interest, and these are also areas expected to have a longer implementation period, such as with the IROP program," said Kubernát. For municipalities that are used to subsidies and are prepared, MAS chairman Jan Bostl is not worried about interest. "I am somewhat concerned about the non-public, mainly social and entrepreneurial sector. Entrepreneurs are frightened by paperwork and additionally need to address things immediately," he said. A medium-term evaluation will occur at the end of 2018, regardless of the fact that the EU programming period started later. "We must spend almost 28 percent, in the Rural Development Program at least half of the allocation must be selected applicants," he added.