European research infrastructures are only as strong as their national nodes. In the social sciences, key components of this European ecosystem include the Czech national team of the European Social Survey (ESS-CZ) and the Czech Social Science Data Archive (CSDA), the national Service Provider of CESSDA in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has been actively involved in the development of both infrastructures since the beginning of the millennium and is a founding member of both ESS ERIC and CESSDA ERIC. ESS-CZ has long provided high-quality data on social change, while CSDA has been collecting, curating and providing access to social science data for nearly three decades. Together, these infrastructures play a crucial role in anchoring the Czech Republic’s participation in the European Research Area. At the same time, both are currently undergoing a period of significant transformation.
For ESS-CZ, the ongoing transition from interviewer-administered surveys to self-completion modes represents the most significant methodological change of the past two decades, while also creating important opportunities for innovation. In the Czech context, this transition is becoming increasingly urgent: the number of interviewers has been declining over the long term, survey response rates continue to fall, access to population registers remains limited, and the costs of fieldwork are steadily increasing. Switzerland, which has successfully implemented register-based sampling and respondent recruitment primarily through postal contact, offers proven approaches as well as valuable practical experience.
For CSDA, the main challenge lies in expanding its capacities to respond to the growing volume and diversity of social science data. Researchers increasingly require faster access to data, richer and more detailed metadata, and solutions for handling sensitive and non-standard data that demand specialised approaches to long-term preservation and secure access. Demand is also growing for training, support for data citation, and the consistent implementation of the FAIR principles. The ability to meet these needs is essential for maintaining CSDA’s role as a trusted national Service Provider and for further strengthening its position within CESSDA.
Collaboration with the Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences (FORS) provides a unique opportunity to address these challenges effectively while building on the strengths of the Czech research infrastructures. FORS is internationally recognised for its expertise in survey methodology, research data management, and the development of advanced data services for the research community. By combining innovative Swiss approaches with Czech expertise in survey implementation and data services, the project will generate lasting benefits for both partners and contribute to strengthening European research infrastructures and their capacity to respond to emerging challenges in social science data and research.
Abstract and Project Objectives
The overall objective of the project is to reinforce the long-term sustainability, visibility, and international positioning of the Czech joint research infrastructure CSDA/ESS-CZ, hosted by the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IS CAS), through bilateral collaboration with FORS in Switzerland. The specific objectives are:
- Foster methodological innovation in ESS-CZ and CSDA through pilots: registry-based sampling, online probability panels (ESS-CZ), a prototype Trusted Research Environment, a data findability tool (CSDA), and a new ESS module.
- Transfer and adapt Swiss expertise to the Czech context by applying proven approaches to respondent recruitment and mode transition (ESS-CZ), workflows in data management, sensitive data access, and user engagement (CSDA).
- Enhance visibility, accessibility and usability of Czech data by improving management, findability, and citation practices to deliver high-quality open data more widely used by researchers.
- Strengthen the European role of Czech infrastructures by enhancing ESS-CZ’s data collection within ESS ERIC and consolidating CSDA’s position in CESSDA ERIC and its working groups.
- Contribute to the added value of European research infrastructures by implementing methodological improvements and strengthening national services and processes to enhance performance, inclusivity, and sustainability of ESS ERIC and CESSDA ERIC.
- Build capacity and human capital through staff and researchers training, mentoring, workshops, and exchanges, embedding new expertise into both infrastructures.
Maximize bilateral added value by deepening the Czech–Swiss partnership in which Czechia gains expertise and services, while Switzerland consolidates methodological leadership and benefits from regional insights.
| Beneficiary | Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Sciences (CSDA/ESS-CZ) |
| Project partner(s) (Czech Republic) | NA |
| Project partner(s) (Switzerland) | Swiss Foundation for Research in Social Sciences FORS |
| Project duration | 1.1.2026–31.12.2028 |
| Main project location | Institute of Sociology CAS, Prague |
| Project website | https://www.soc.cas.cz/en/projects/posilovani-cesko-svycarske-spoluprace-pro-udrzitelne-a-inovativni-vyzkumne-infrastruktury-ve-spolecenskych-vedach-cz-ch-coriss |
| Website: The Second Swiss Contribution | https://www.swiss-contribution.cz/en/ |
| Total eligible project costs | CZK 28,965,000 |
| Of which 85% from the Swiss contribution | CZK 24,620,250 |
| Project ID | 8K0206 |
