From idea to 1.

The Young Roads project started with a clear vision: to bring the young generation of road infrastructure closer and show them its meaning and attractiveness. Our journey began with a simple question: What can a professional society do to ensure enough talented experts for its industry? The answer came quickly - to create a platform that connects schools, students, companies and state and regions and will support open communication and inspiration.

What is young roads

Young Roads is a project of the Czech Road Society (CSS) and the Czech National Committee (CNK). Its aim is to present the young generation of transport infrastructure and road sectors through innovation, smart mobility, excursions to buildings and research centers, videos from buildings, or meetings with experts and representatives of the state and regions.

The project includes a contact and media campaign that addresses high school and universities and motivates them to involve in debates on the impact of buildings and research on everyday life and the future of traffic construction as such.

As the Minister of Transport Mgr. Martin Kupka: "We will be able to provoke interest in technical fields and construction work in the young generation. The Young Roads project has the potential to inspire and attract new talents in the young generation."

As the project started and grew

The project began as an idea of ​​a contact campaign that would bring young people to the complexity and uniqueness of the field of transport infrastructure. The key step was the involvement of strategic partners such as the Ministry of Transport, Road and Motorway Directorate (RMD) and the State Fund of Transport Infrastructure (SFDI). These partners brought not only professional background, but also important support in building awareness of the project.

Director General of the RMD Ing. Radek Mátl noted: "We perceive the Young Roads project as extremely important and beneficial for the future of our industry. It shows the young generation of the attractiveness of the building industry and brings new ideas and solutions."

The SFDI director Ing. Zbyněk Hořelica: "I am convinced that we will be able to invoke interest in technical fields and construction work in the young generation by joint forces of the team, states, companies and professional companies. We consider the Young Roads project to be an effective and well -focused way to achieve this goal."

This year we will have negotiations with the Ministry of Education and the Economic Committee of the Czech Republic, where we would also like to start cooperation and gain support for our activities.

After obtaining the support of state representatives, we approached the academic sphere. The first institution was the Faculty of Civil Engineering CTU, whose Dean prof. Ing. Jiří Máca, CSc., Feng. He stressed: "The Young Roads project is a great opportunity to show young people a wide range of technical fields and inspire them to realize them."

Corporate cooperation

No less important part of the project is the involvement of companies. From the beginning, we have tried to create a platform where cooperation between companies, often otherwise competent, will bring benefits to the whole industry. The first pioneer was the Medis Group, followed by COLAS CZ a.s., Hochtief CZ a.s. and VDT Technology a.s.

As the CEO of the Medis Group Ing. Tomáš Nosek: "We are convinced that we will meet the Young Roads project step by step and fill the auditorium of our technical schools. The project contributes to building the image of transport infrastructure as the future of the future."

HOCHTIEF CZ a.s. was also actively involved, as its personnel director Ing. Miroslav Kos: "Within the Young Roads project, we would like to communicate with the young generation through our involvement, including participation in the Advisory Committee, to share our experience and show them how an attractive and innovative construction area can be."

If the young generation is looking for stability and dynamic and modern environment, Young Roads wants to offer them this. COLAS CZ a.s. and their HR manager Pavlína Jílková accentuated this aspect like this: “Support for the young generation is a key part of the future of construction. We believe that together with the Young Roads project we can show students that construction offers not only stability but also space for innovation and personal growth. In addition, this project shows them that even a construction industry can be a modern and attractive field with a wide range of application. ”

The aim of Young Roads is to show complexity, rugged and responsibility of the field. Ing. Libor Ladyš, general manager of Ekola Group, adds: “Transport infrastructure is not only about construction, their project preparation, construction and maintenance. Experts who deal with the health and environmental health also play a key role, propose measures to alleviate these impacts and monitor their real impact on the surroundings. In cooperation with Young Roads, we want to emphasize environmental aspects of transport infrastructure, show students a broader context and open a discussion of sustainable approach to construction and mobility in the Czech Republic. ”

Innovation, technology, digitization, themes of society -wide resonate in this project. Erik Feldman Chairman of the Board of Directors of VDT Technology a. S. "We are looking forward to moving with you to move the boundaries and abilities of students in modern transport and infrastructure, with an emphasis on innovation, digitization and efficient use of new technologies."

First year milestones

  1. Cooperation with partners: Strategic involvement of state institutions, academic worlds and companies.
  2. Social Media: Active communication through Instagram, where we share videos, buildings from buildings and attractions about transport infrastructure.
  3. Excursion and Meeting: Organization of excursions to buildings, laboratories and research centers, 1st debate with students.
  4. First Advisory Committee meeting: On the day of January 14, 2025, we convened the first historical meeting of our team to determine the further priorities of the project, its direction and other key aspects.

Plans for the next year

In the coming year we are planning:

  • Deepen cooperation with secondary schools and universities.
  • To obtain support from the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
  • To obtain support of the Ministry of Education
  • To cooperate with regions and educational associations
  • Organize more excursions and debates with students.
  • Expand the media campaign and raise the awareness of the project.
  • To actively discuss the possibilities of dual education.

As stated by the chairman of the National Accreditation Office for Higher Education Ing. Robert Plaga, Ph.D.: "The Young Roads project clearly shows that the young generation is interested in constructive debate and innovation. I believe that similar projects can contribute significantly to our common objective - creating a modern educated society that will be a leader in innovation, quality craft and efficient education."

Young Roads in numbers

  • Published: 78 videos and infographics.
  • Total number of views: 2.099 million.
  • Most in one video: 132 thousand views and 643 hearts.
  • Overall time spent on Young Roads: Young people spent 5.830 hours net time watching our videos.
  • Mostly men aged 18 - 24 years.

Partners of the project

  • Project Strategic Partner:
    • Road and Motorway Directorate.
  • Partners:
    • Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, BESIP
    • State Fund for Transport Infrastructure
    • Faculty of Civil Engineering CTU in Prague
    • Medis Group
    • HOCHTIEF CZ a. S.
    • COLAS CZ a. S.
    • VDT Technology a. S.
    • Ekola Group, spol. s r. o.

Benefits for project partners

  1. Exclusive positions in the advisory board: Members of the Advisory Council (PS) have a direct impact on the strategy and direction of the project. PS sets priorities and approves the schedule of activities.
  2. Unique Mark visibility: Videos from your buildings, laboratories or research centers will be exclusively referred to by your logo, which will strengthen awareness of your organization in young people.
  3. Promotion on social networks: Your organization will be visible on the Young Roads Instagram profile, including direct links to your profile.
  4. Presentation on a professional map: Your organization will be included in the interactive map of professional organizations, which will facilitate links with potential employees.
  5. Permanent presence on the web signpost: Links to your website and banners will be regularly published on the project's web signpost.

1. meeting of the Young Roads Advisory Committee

On 14 January 2025, the first meeting of the Young Roads project was held on Novotný footbridge in Prague. The meeting was devoted to the recapitulation of the past year, planning activities for 2025 and discussion on the priorities of individual committee members.

The Young Roads project is at the beginning of its journey, but we already see the potential to inspire the young generation, combine experts and bring positive changes to the whole field.

Together we look forward to the next years and we believe that we will soon welcome new members!

Thank you to all who have been involved and we look forward to the next steps.