Award ceremony
Text: Jindřich Fryč, Chief State Secretary for the Civil Service; Edit: Martina Hošková; Photo: Archive
In the labyrinth of bureaucratic structures, there exist unsung heroes — individuals and teams, working tirelessly within the Czech state and municipalities. Their exceptional efforts often go unnoticed, overshadowed by the complexities of public administration. Yet, their impact is profound, shaping the quality of life for citizens and improving the efficiency of government operations.
The Administrative Achievement of the Year initiative is a commendation and celebration of those individuals and teams contributing to the improvement of governmental work and the quality of life in the Czech Republic. It gathers successful examples of projects that have led to enhancements in public services, and which promoted innovative ideas and teamwork within the public sector. This project, created by the Ministry of the Interior’s Section for Civil Service, in collaboration with the Byro platform (a non-governmental organization), emphasizes overcoming obstacles and advocating for new ideas despite challenges. Its goal is not only to celebrate the successes of workers in the public sector, but also to inspire others to know that there are alternative approaches.
Mgr. Bc. Vít Rakušan, Minister of the Interior and First Deputy Prime Minister
The Administrative Achievement of the Year 2023 is not a competition with winners and losers, but rather a celebration of boldness, determination, and openness.
It is an acknowledgement of those who have gone the extra mile, fostering better collaboration, leveraging data for informed decision-making, embracing digital innovation, and, ultimately, serving the public interest with excellence.
Award-winning finalists
The call for nominations for the prestigious awards was open to the public, colleagues, and superiors across six distinct categories: Innovation in Public Services, Digital Transformation, Outstanding Collaboration, Team Support, Analytical Work, and Public Administration Hope. In the inaugural edition, a remarkable 136 nominations flooded in from various offices and municipalities across the entirety of the Czech Republic.
Among the nominees were regional initiatives, such as the restoration of the Imperial Baths in Karlovy Vary, as well as national initiatives, such as the Strategy for Supporting Czechs in EU Institutions (outlining how to prepare future 21st-century teachers who are preparing for their profession at university) and a strategic collaboration in handling the large number of refugees from Ukraine (with focus on their integration into primary and secondary schools). Eleven remarkable projects were awarded across various categories, showcasing exemplary efforts from governmental offices and regional authorities. A list of awarded projects is available on: www.cinroku.cz.
The organizational team from the Ministry of the Interior, the non-profit organization Bureau, and the Minister of the Interior
Award-winning team from the Ministry of Regional Development for the project National Public Procurement Strategy
The award went to representatives from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Pardubice Regional Office, Vysočina Regional Office, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Regional Development, Karlovy Vary Regional Office, Central Bohemian Regional Office, National Pedagogical Institute of the Czech Republic, Government Office, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Culture.
PhDr. Jindřich Fryč, Chief State Secretary
These exemplary projects underscore the dedication and ingenuity of public servants across the Czech Republic, highlighting their commitment to enhancing the quality of life for citizens, and fostering positive change in governance.
Jindřich Fryč is a senior civil servant, who has held the top position since November 2022. The Chief State Secretary is the head of the Civil Service in the entire Czech Republic. This is the top position within the entire civil service. For his work, he also received The Order of Academic Palms from France, the Grand Federal Cross of Merit from Germany and the First-Degree Medal of the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.