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Evaluating the Socioeconomic Value of Low-Threshold Youth Clubs in the Czech Republic: Bridging Data Gaps in Informal Education through Social Return on Investment and Theory of Change

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Title: Evaluating the Socioeconomic Value of Low-Threshold Youth Clubs in the Czech Republic: Bridging Data Gaps in Informal Education through Social Return on Investment and Theory of Change
Language: English
Authors: Lothar Filip Rudorfer, Marie Fulková, Vendula Fremlová, Lucie Jakubcová Hajdušková, Kemal Ahson
Source: IAFOR Journal of Education. 2025 13(3):615-641.
Availability: International Academic Forum. Sakae 1-16-26 - 201 Naka Ward, Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0008. Tel: +81-50-5806-3184; Web site: http://iafor.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 27
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Youth Clubs, Informal Education, Outcomes of Education, Educational Finance, Cost Effectiveness, Disadvantaged Youth, Operating Expenses, Federal Aid, Volunteers
Geographic Terms: Czech Republic, Europe
ISSN: 2187-0594
Abstract: This study evaluates the financing and policy architecture of low-threshold clubs for children and youth in the Czech Republic--informal educational spaces that provide preventive, developmental, and integrative services to vulnerable populations. Specifically, the study examines: (a) national-level funding flows and expenditures across five major providers; (b) local operational realities in a case study of Ústí nad Labem; and (c) the European Commission's policy stance on social infrastructure co-financing. The analysis draws on a semi-synthetic dataset constructed from public financial reports, ministry allocations, and interpolated values based on provider averages. Descriptive statistics and a simple linear regression model (Adj. R[superscript 2 = 0.971) demonstrate that approximately 91.2% of total funding is linearly translated into operational expenditures. Additionally, the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework is applied to map the broader impact of these centres, including volunteer contributions and community outcomes, using a theory-of-change logic model. Results show a heavy reliance on EU operational programmes--particularly OP VVV, which covers an estimated 74% of total funding--with national and local sources unable to compensate for its absence. The fragmented governance across ministries (Education, Social Affairs, Interior, Health) further impedes coordinated data collection and long-term planning. These findings underscore the need for integrated, multi-ministerial policy frameworks, sustained funding cycles, and formal recognition of volunteer and informal educational contributions. The study provides a replicable model for assessing cost-effectiveness and long-term value in youth social services at both national and European levels.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494163
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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Items – Name: Title
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  Data: Evaluating the Socioeconomic Value of Low-Threshold Youth Clubs in the Czech Republic: Bridging Data Gaps in Informal Education through Social Return on Investment and Theory of Change
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lothar+Filip+Rudorfer%22">Lothar Filip Rudorfer</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Marie+Fulková%22">Marie Fulková</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vendula+Fremlová%22">Vendula Fremlová</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lucie+Jakubcová+Hajdušková%22">Lucie Jakubcová Hajdušková</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kemal+Ahson%22">Kemal Ahson</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22IAFOR+Journal+of+Education%22"><i>IAFOR Journal of Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 13(3):615-641.
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  Data: International Academic Forum. Sakae 1-16-26 - 201 Naka Ward, Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0008. Tel: +81-50-5806-3184; Web site: http://iafor.org
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  Data: 27
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Youth+Clubs%22">Youth Clubs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Informal+Education%22">Informal Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outcomes+of+Education%22">Outcomes of Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Finance%22">Educational Finance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cost+Effectiveness%22">Cost Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disadvantaged+Youth%22">Disadvantaged Youth</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Operating+Expenses%22">Operating Expenses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Federal+Aid%22">Federal Aid</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Volunteers%22">Volunteers</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Czech+Republic%22">Czech Republic</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Europe%22">Europe</searchLink>
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  Data: 2187-0594
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This study evaluates the financing and policy architecture of low-threshold clubs for children and youth in the Czech Republic--informal educational spaces that provide preventive, developmental, and integrative services to vulnerable populations. Specifically, the study examines: (a) national-level funding flows and expenditures across five major providers; (b) local operational realities in a case study of Ústí nad Labem; and (c) the European Commission's policy stance on social infrastructure co-financing. The analysis draws on a semi-synthetic dataset constructed from public financial reports, ministry allocations, and interpolated values based on provider averages. Descriptive statistics and a simple linear regression model (Adj. R[superscript 2 = 0.971) demonstrate that approximately 91.2% of total funding is linearly translated into operational expenditures. Additionally, the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework is applied to map the broader impact of these centres, including volunteer contributions and community outcomes, using a theory-of-change logic model. Results show a heavy reliance on EU operational programmes--particularly OP VVV, which covers an estimated 74% of total funding--with national and local sources unable to compensate for its absence. The fragmented governance across ministries (Education, Social Affairs, Interior, Health) further impedes coordinated data collection and long-term planning. These findings underscore the need for integrated, multi-ministerial policy frameworks, sustained funding cycles, and formal recognition of volunteer and informal educational contributions. The study provides a replicable model for assessing cost-effectiveness and long-term value in youth social services at both national and European levels.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1494163
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 27
        StartPage: 615
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Youth Clubs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Informal Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Outcomes of Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Finance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cost Effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Disadvantaged Youth
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      – SubjectFull: Operating Expenses
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      – SubjectFull: Federal Aid
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      – SubjectFull: Volunteers
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      – SubjectFull: Czech Republic
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Europe
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      – TitleFull: Evaluating the Socioeconomic Value of Low-Threshold Youth Clubs in the Czech Republic: Bridging Data Gaps in Informal Education through Social Return on Investment and Theory of Change
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