Rural Community Schools in the Czech Republic and their Activities within the Context of Rural Development

The paper is focused on the specific activities of Rural Community Schools promoting rural development through various forms of education (in the broadest sense). Rural Community Schools are a relatively new phenomenon in the Czech Republic - they were established in 2005 and have mainly been functioning since 2010. Therefore, the questions are whether Rural Community Schools are now firmly rooted within other organisations promoting rural development and what comprises their key activities. The main aim of the paper is to evaluate the various activities of Rural Community Schools within the context of rural development, to create a typology of these activities and mainly to answer the research question: whether and to what extent these activities are in accordance with the concept of community-led rural development. Attention is also paid to the regional perspectives of these activities. From the general perspective, the paper is based on concepts of local endogenous development and community education. The paper consists of the first results of sociological research, which combines the techniques of document study and questioning - in particular, semi-standardised interviews. The semi-standardised interviews were conducted with the main actors (Community Coordinators) of chosen Rural Community Schools in the Czech Republic. The first results of the sociological research have a mainly qualitative character, whereby it is possible to classify three basic types of activities of Rural Community Schools in the Czech Republic - the first are activities to increase opportunities on the labour market, the second have the mission of promoting active citizenship (local development) and the third are focused on the personal growth of participants. The third type primarily seems to be the most important within the context of rural development, but is still the least represented within Rural Community School activities.