Czech Streetwork Association, z.s.

The Czech Streetwork Association, z.s. (Česká asociace streetwork, z.s., commonly abbreviated ČAS) is a Czech non-profit professional association that represents, supports, and develops street-based and low-threshold social work. Its members are practitioners and organisations working with children, youth, and families in socially excluded or high-risk situations. The association is registered as a "z.s." (zapsaný spolek), the standard Czech legal form for a registered association, and operates from the Czech Republic. ČAS is best known for its role in professionalising low-threshold facilities for children and youth (nízkoprahová zařízení pro děti a mládež, NZDM) and streetwork. It provides methodical guidance, training, and networking for social workers, publishes articles and podcasts, and runs campaigns to raise public awareness about homelessness, addiction, and youth at risk. Its website, streetwork.cz, serves as a hub for news, project updates, job listings, and educational events. The association organises the annual "Týden nízkoprahových klubů" (Week of Low-Threshold Clubs), a public awareness event supported by figures such as Czech First Lady Eva Pavlová. It also produces the podcast series "ČAS od ČASU," which features interviews with experts and people affected by social exclusion, aiming to break down stereotypes. ČAS runs the "Institut kontaktní práce" (Institute of Contact Work), offering courses on topics such as child and family assessment, wellbeing and burnout prevention, and mapping tools in social work. As a membership-based association, ČAS does not sell commercial products; its "offerings" are professional services, advocacy, and knowledge resources for the social work sector. It collaborates with schools, social services, and international partners, as reflected in its content on transit and training employment inspired by Austrian Styria and recommendations for working with Ukrainian children and youth. The association is a key voice in Czech debates on child protection and social inclusion.

The Czech Streetwork Association, z.s. (Česká asociace streetwork, z.s.) is a Czech registered association that emerged as a professional body for street-based social work. While the exact founding date is not provided in the available evidence, the association has become a central platform for low-threshold work with children, youth, and families in the Czech Republic. It operates the website streetwork.cz, which serves as an information and resource hub for the sector. Over time, ČAS has expanded its activities beyond networking to include methodical support, education, and advocacy. It runs the Institut kontaktní práce (Institute of Contact Work), offering accredited courses on topics such as child and family assessment, wellbeing and burnout prevention, and mapping tools in social work. The association also organises the annual Týden nízkoprahových klubů (Week of Low-Threshold Clubs), a public awareness campaign that has gained support from high-profile figures, including Czech First Lady Eva Pavlová in 2026. ČAS produces the podcast series ČAS od ČASU, which features interviews with experts and individuals affected by social exclusion, aiming to challenge stereotypes about homeless people, streetworkers, and low-threshold work. The association also publishes articles, news, and job listings, and engages with international practices, as seen in its content on transit and training employment inspired by Austrian Styria and recommendations for working with Ukrainian children and youth. Through these activities, ČAS has positioned itself as a key voice in Czech debates on child protection, social inclusion, and the professionalisation of social work.

• Annual Week of Low-Threshold Clubs launched with support from First Lady Eva Pavlová.

• Published recommendations for working with Ukrainian children and young people in schools and services.

• Scheduled course: Introduction to assessing the situation of a child and their family.

• Scheduled course: Wellbeing – prevention of burnout syndrome.

• Scheduled course: Mapping tools in social work with children and adolescents.

A professional association and advocacy platform for street-based and low-threshold social work in the Czech Republic, focused on methodical support, education, and public awareness.

• Institut kontaktní práce courses

  Professional training courses on topics such as child and family assessment, wellbeing and burnout prevention, and mapping tools in social work.

• ČAS od ČASU podcast

  A podcast series featuring interviews with personalities who work to remove prejudices and change the settings of the majority society.

• Týden nízkoprahových klubů

  An annual public awareness event supporting low-threshold clubs for children and youth.

1. 1Hlavní stránka | Česká asociace streetwork, z.sstreetwork.cz
2. 2Wikidata entry for Česká asociace streetworkwikidata.org