Matěj Mareš Curriculum Vitae

Mgr. Matěj Mareš

CEO & Founder, Odpovědná společnost, z. s. (Responsible Society NGO) · Ph.D. candidate, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Nationality: Czech

Sociologist, project manager and evaluation expert with more than two decades of experience in public administration, EU-funded programmes and applied social research. Since 2020, CEO and founder of Odpovědná společnost (Responsible Society NGO), leading international research and education projects on media literacy, sustainability and entrepreneurship. Combines a background in Structural Funds monitoring and public policy evaluation with current work on AI-based tools, misinformation research and civic education.

Work Experience

2020 – present
Odpovědná společnost, z. s. (Responsible Society NGO)

Dobřichovice 328

ScopePromoting a responsible approach and developing the competences of public actors; promoting innovative approaches in education
OccupationCEO, founder
Main job description
  • Management and coordination of research and international projects
  • Expert in sociological research methods and working with (dis)information
  • Research activity
Selected projects
Show all 10 projects
  • 2026–present (ongoing): Methodological Lead, international research project AgriCEE – Enhancing Climate Mitigation in Agriculture. Project focused on researching barriers to the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and proposing appropriate policy and implementation measures (EUKI – European Climate Initiative).
  • 2025–present (ongoing): Lead Coordinator and Methodological Lead, international project Research2Schools – Bringing Research to Schools: Developing Key Competencies and Promoting Participation in Democratic Society. Project focused on the development of methodological and educational materials for humanities-oriented research in schools (Erasmus+ KA2).
  • 2025–present (ongoing): Methodological Lead and Researcher, research project CrispMind – AI Tools for Detecting Manipulative Techniques. Project focused on researching cognitive aspects and societal impacts of manipulative techniques and developing an AI-based detection tool (TAČR – Technology Agency of the Czech Republic).
  • 2025–present (ongoing): Expert, international project Entre2Rise – From Stress to Success to Rise: Empowering Entrepreneurial Mental Health for a Stronger Future. Project focused on supporting entrepreneurs and developing educational materials for vocational education and training in the field of entrepreneurial mental health (Erasmus+ KA2).
  • 2024+ (ongoing): Expert of the Girls4Economy project. Project focused on promoting digital and entrepreneurial competences of young women (Erasmus+ KA2).
  • 2024+ (ongoing): Expert of the FutureForward project. Project on adult learning in the use of AI with the University of Valencia and other partners (Erasmus+ KA2).
  • 2023-2025: Expert in the WISEME project. Creating didactic tools for working with (dis)information on social networks, in collaboration with the University of Nebrija in Madrid and other partners (Erasmus+ KA2).
  • 2022-2023: Methodological guarantor of the international project Promoting ACTIVE and Responsible Citizenship in Schools (ACTIVE), aimed at promoting critical thinking in schools and teaching teachers and pupils how to handle information and avoid misinformation and „fake news“ (Erasmus+ KA2).
  • 2023-2024: Project STAIRS – education programme on air pollution in schools (Erasmus+ KA2).
  • 2023-2024: DIGITAL STORYTELLING for non-profit organizations (Erasmus+ KA2).
2016 – present
Research Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, z. ú. / Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic

Florentinum, Na Florenci 2116/15, 110 00 Prague 1

ScopeSupport for entrepreneurship, R&D&I, start-ups; research and international project management
Occupation
  • International project management
  • Researcher and research project management (TA ČR)
  • Expert in innovation support and digitalization of SMEs, R&D&I and SME cooperation, support for start-ups
Main job description
  • Support for innovation and digitalization of SMEs, support for start-ups and entrepreneurial thinking
  • Project management and research activities
Selected projects
Show all 9 projects
  • 2023-2026: Senior expert and methodological guarantor of the GREENPACT project, which focuses on supporting the circular economy of SMEs in the creative industries and tourism – Futurepreneurs and SMEs for a sustainable Central Europe Certification Scheme (Interreg CE, Czech Chamber of Commerce, 2023).
  • 2022-2024: Methodological guarantor of the international project ENPOW4KIds to support the entrepreneurial mindset of students – Enhancing eNtrepreneurial mindset and self-emPOWerment in Kids (Erasmus+ KA2, Research Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation).
  • 2021-2023: Consortium management of an international project and expert work in the DigiS project focused on curriculum development for drone and virtual reality programmers – Building up a Digital Skills Alliance for the Enhancing of Programming Competencies (Erasmus+ KA2, Czech Chamber of Commerce, 2019).
  • 2020-2022: Director of the research project „Restarting SMEs: Specification of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMEs and identification of factors for successful response to the crisis situation and definition of development scenarios according to the impact typology and SME category“ (ÉTA Programme, TAČR 2018, Research Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation).
  • 2019-2021: Expert work and management of the consortium of the international project focused on supporting the digitalization of SMEs – CVET networks reskilling SMEs employees and mentors by bridging generations and digital gaps (Erasmus+ KA3, Czech Chamber of Commerce, 2019).
  • 2019-2021: Management of the VUPI research team and senior expert role in the project „Digital transformation for business model innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Czech Republic“ (ÉTA Programme, TAČR 2018, Research Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation).
  • 2019-2021: Management of the VUPI research team and senior expert role in the project „Application of research methods in systemic identification of potential, setting and strengthening of links between the business sphere and research infrastructure“ (ÉTA Programme, TAČR 2018, Research Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation).
  • 2016-2019: Management of the VUPI research team and senior expert role in the project „Transforming the role of the university and curriculum innovation in the context of the 4.0 phenomenon in the fields of engineering, education and health“ (ÉTA Programme, TAČR 2017, Research Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation).
  • 2016-2019: Expert work and management of an international project focused on supporting innovation and start-ups – CERIecon – CENTRAL EUROPE Regional Innovation Ecosystems Network (Interreg CE, Czech Chamber of Commerce, 2016).
2008 – present
Evaluator of public programmes and strategic planning
ScopeEvaluation in the field of public policies and national and European grant resources
OccupationEvaluator and expert in strategic planning and monitoring
Main job description
  • Evaluating the impact of public policies and evaluating strategies
  • Governance in public administration; project management in public administration; preparation and implementation of Structural Funds projects
Selected projects
Show all 37 evaluation projects
  • 2022-2023: Senior expert for TC1 (Strengthening research, technological development and innovation) and TC10 (Investing in education, vocational education, including training, skills and lifelong learning) – Outcome evaluation of the Partnership Agreement (MMR, 2022).
  • 2017-2023: Head of the Biodiversity evaluation area and senior expert of the project „Evaluation of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020“ (Ministry of Agriculture, 2017).
  • 2017-2022: Head of the evaluation unit „Evaluation of individual system projects supported by OP 3 of the OPIE“ (Ministry of Education and Science, 2017).
  • 2018-2022: Head of the Evaluation unit and Senior Expert of the project „Evaluation of individual system projects supported by OP 3 OP VVV-II Part III: Evaluation Circle D“ – Evaluation of the KSH project (implemented by the Czech School Inspectorate).
  • 2020: Senior project expert and guarantor of the intervention logic and indicator system – „Ex-ante evaluation of the Integrated Regional Operational Programme for the period 2021-2027“ (MMR, 2020).
  • 2019: Expert in the field of evaluation – „Process evaluation of the Interreg V-A programme Czech Republic – Poland“ (MMR, 2019).
  • 2018: Project leader and senior expert of the project „Ex-post evaluation of the programming period 2007-2013 in the field of research and development“ (MMR, 2018).
  • 2016-2017: Senior expert – „Updating of the Regional Action Plan of the Central Bohemian Region“ (Central Bohemian Region, 2016).
  • 2016: Coordination of the preparation of the projects Excellent Research for the call of the OP VVV (Faculty of Science, Charles University, 2016).
  • 2016: Project manager and developer of „Setting up principles for the introduction of project management processes at the KÚSK“ – development of project management guidelines for the Central Bohemian Region and its contributory organisations (Central Bohemian Region, 2016).
  • 2015: Project leader and senior expert – evaluation and proposal for optimization of project management at the regional office of the Central Bohemian Region (Central Bohemian Region, 2015).
  • 2015: Project leader and senior expert – methodology for monitoring of Local Action Groups (LAG Association, 2015).
  • 2015: Project leader and senior expert of the project „Final evaluation of the implementation of the OP HC global grant“ (Hradec Králové Region, 2015).
  • 2015: Project leader and senior expert of the project „Methodology of collecting project plans for the Regional Action Plan for the Central Bohemia Region“ (Central Bohemia Region, 2015).
  • 2012-2015: Methodological guarantor and senior expert of the project „Ex-ante evaluation of the ESF programme document under the responsibility of the MLSA for the period 2014-2020“ (MLSA, 2012).
  • 2014-2015: Methodological guarantor and senior expert of the project „Evaluation of impacts and good practice of OP LZZ on the basis of case studies and their meta-analysis“ (MLSA, 2012).
  • 2013-2015: Methodological guarantor and senior expert of the project „Ex-ante evaluation and SEA assessment of the operational programme Prague – growth pole of the Czech Republic for the programming period 2014-2020“ (MHMP).
  • 2014: Drafter and expert of the project for the preparation of the strategy for the Prague Metropolitan Region ITI (IPR Prague, 2014).
  • 2014: Leader and senior expert of the project „Final evaluation of the project Educate for growth!“ (Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, 2014).
  • 2013-2014: Senior expert of the project „Ex-ante evaluation of OP VVV“ (Ministry of Education and Science of the Czech Republic).
  • 2013-2014: Methodological guarantor and senior expert of the project „Ex-ante evaluation of the draft Partnership Agreement for the programming period 2014-2020“ (Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic).
  • 2013: Head and senior expert of the project „Preparation of the basis for the Methodological Guideline for the management of calls, selection and evaluation of projects in the 2014-2020 programming period“ (MMR, 2013).
  • 2012: Methodological guarantor and senior expert of the project „Evaluation of OP LZZ projects focused on the provision of social services“ (MLSA, 2012).
  • 2012: Senior expert of the project „Evaluation study of the involvement of the non-state non-profit sector (NNS) in the implementation of programmes financed from the Czech Republic’s Social Fund“ (Ministry of Regional Development, 2012).
  • 2012: Senior expert of the project „Evaluation of the implementation of the Operational Programme Prague – Competitiveness“ (HMP, 2011).
  • 2011: Methodologist and senior expert of the project „Ex-post evaluation of the Community Support Framework and single programming documents from the programming period 2004-2006“ (Ministry of Regional Development).
  • 2010: Senior expert of the project „The impact of cohesion policy on the level and quality of employment in the Czech Republic“ (Ministry of Regional Development, Czech Republic, 2010).
  • 2010: Methodological guarantor and senior expert of the project „Evaluation and optimization of the system of evaluation of operational programme projects in the programming period 2007-2013“ (Ministry of Regional Development, 2010).
  • 2009: Elaborator of the project „Basic Principles of Monitoring of EU Funds Drawdown“ (Ministry of Finance, 2010).
  • 2009: Methodological guarantor and senior expert of the project „Setting up the measurement of project administration in operational programmes in the programming period 2007-2013“ (Ministry of Regional Development, 2009).
  • 2009: Expert of the project „Evaluation of the current implementation of the Regional Operational Programme South-East“ (ÚRR NUTS II South-East, 2009).
  • 2009: Expert of the project „Identification of barriers to the use of funds from the Integrated Operational Programme and the Operational Programme Human Resources and Employment“ (Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, 2009).
  • 2008: Expert for the monitoring and evaluation procedures of the project „Preparation or revision of selected chapters and annexes of the OP VaVpI Operational Manual and project management of the Operational Manual“ (Ministry of Education and Science, 2008).
  • 2008-2009: Methodological guarantor and senior expert of the project „Completion of the optimization of the National Indicator Code“ (MMR, NOC, 2008).
  • 2008-2010: Preparation of project plans for the Operational Programme for the Environment (Preparer).
  • 2008: Preparation of project plan for the Rural Development Programme (support for applicants).
  • 2008: Analyst of the project „Evaluation of the experience of applicants with the process of submitting and administering applications for subsidies in the ROP SČ“.
11/2007 – 06/2009
Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, European Coordination Department

nábřeží Edvarda Beneše 4, 118 01 Prague 1

ScopeCoordination of European policies in the Czech Republic – cohesion policy, R&D policy
OccupationReferee
Main job description
  • Coordination and preparation of national positions of the Czech Republic in the field of cohesion policy and research and development
  • Coordination of the preparation of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU in the field of cohesion policy and research and development
Participation in projectsPreparation of the Framework position of the Czech Republic on the future of cohesion policy
Committees and working groups
  • EU Committee (VEU)
  • RPS Monitoring Committee
  • OP TA Monitoring Committee
08/2005 – 10/2007
Ministry for Regional Development

Staroměstské náměstí 6, 110 15 Prague 1

ScopeStructural Funds
03/2006 – 10/2007
Department of Community Support Framework (later Department of European Funds, then Department of Management and Coordination of the NRDF)
ScopeMonitoring the Structural Funds
OccupationManagement of the Structural Funds Monitoring Unit
Main job description
  • Drafting of the overall concept and preparation of the Methodology for monitoring the Structural and Cohesion Funds 2007-2013.
  • Methodological management and coordination of Structural Funds monitoring in the 2007-2013 programming period.
  • Optimisation of the Structural Funds Monitoring System in the Czech Republic for the 2007-2013 programming period.
08/2005 – 02/2006
SROP and SPD 2 Operational Programme Management Department
ScopeMonitoring and evaluation of Structural Funds programmes
OccupationSpecialist Officer
Main job description
  • Monitoring and evaluation of SPD2; setting up and ensuring regular monitoring of SPD 2.
  • Preparation of monitoring reports and the SPD 2 Annual Report (the interim report on the development of the SPD2 programme was presented by the European Commission as a model for other Operational Programmes).
  • Preparation of the evaluation of the SPD 2 programme; guarantor for monitoring indicators.
  • Information Systems Analyst for SPD2; coordination of development and optimization of information systems.
2005 – 2007
Membership and participation in committees and working groups (Ministry for Regional Development)
Committees and working groups
  • Steering and Coordination Committee
  • RPS Monitoring Committee
  • OP TA Monitoring Committee
  • SPD2 Monitoring Committee
  • Advisory Committee of the NSRF
  • RPS Advisory Committee
  • Meeting of the Minister for Regional Development with the deputy ministers of the relevant ministries on the implementation of the schedule for the drawdown of the SF
  • Horizontal Programming Working Group
  • Monitoring Working Group
  • ROP Monitoring Working Group
  • Working Group on Evaluation and Horizontal Priorities of the RPS
  • Monthly monitoring meeting of the RPS
  • Regular annual meetings of the EC with the managing authorities to assess the main outputs of the previous year
  • Technical negotiations with the EC on the setting up of the monitoring system in the Czech Republic (July 2006)
  • Negotiations with the EC in the framework of the NRDF negotiations (October 2006)

Education

2024 – ongoing

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Ph.D. studies, Faculty of Business and Economics

Main subjectsCognitive aspects influencing the decision-making of economic actors
Resultthe study is ongoing
2002 – 2005

Charles University, Prague

Master’s programme, Social Geography and Regional Development

Main subjectsRegional Development, Public Administration and Theoretical Geography
ResultMaster’s degree
1996 – 2002

Charles University, Prague

Bachelor’s degree, Demography and Social Geography

Main subjectsRegional development, demographic processes, demographic analysis
ResultBachelor’s degree
1999 – 2001

Faculty of Economics, University of Economics, Prague

Main subjectsEconomic Policy and Economic Theory
Resultstudies interrupted

Professional Training & Seminars

  • Certified Project Manager: PRINCE2™ Foundation and PRINCE2™ Practitioner (2011)
  • Management and Monitoring of EU-funded Operational Programmes – IPA Seminar in Dublin (February 2007)
  • Follow-up, evaluation and monitoring: the good use of systems and administrative capacities – Seminar Chôra conseil/Poliade formativ in Paris (November 2005)
  • The Finnish system of SF implementation – Study week programme in Helsinki (November 2005)

Skills & Competences

Languages

Mother tongueCzech
Other languageEnglish

Technical skills

Above-standard user knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), internet applications, graphic programs (Photoshop, Corel) and statistical applications (StatGraphic, SPSS).
Driving licenceCategory B

Organisational skills and competences

Coordination and management of people, projects and budgets.

  • Expert in fostering innovative thinking and developing start-ups.
  • Expert in evaluation research methods, field research methods and data processing.
  • Expert in the field of evaluation and applied research – methodological guarantor, leader and expert of a number of evaluations at the programme level (ex-ante, ex-post and interim evaluations) and evaluations of individual projects.
  • Experience in project management and project team management – management of a department at the Ministry of Regional Development and involvement in a number of evaluation projects as a project leader or as the main methodological guarantor responsible for the substantive implementation of the project.
  • Expert in project management in public administration – evaluation and adjustment of project management at public administration level; preparation and implementation of projects in the field of structural funds.
  • Experience in the field of Structural Funds from all levels of implementation – long-term personal experience with project level and with implementation and management of programmes up to the highest political level at the level of the Czech Republic and the European Commission.
  • Expert in the field of public administration – methodological guarantor, leader and expert of a number of projects focused on public administration.
  • Expert in the field of monitoring – drafting the overall concept and content of the Structural Funds Monitoring Methodology; elaboration of conceptual documents for the MMR-NOK in the field of monitoring principles.
  • Expert in the field of indicator systems – optimization of indicator dials, setting up basic principles of indicator systems for the Czech Republic’s SF programmes, setting up indicator systems for programmes.
  • Expert in programme process management – setting up process models for EU-funded programmes.
Mgr. Matěj Mareš · Odpovědná společnost, z. s. (Responsible Society NGO) · mares@odpovednaspolecnost.cz