The Pilsen Region is building on the successful pilot year of the educational program Dress Up & Stay Home and is announcing its second edition for 2026. The program gives selected secondary school students the opportunity to take part in events of global importance and to transfer the experience they gain back to their schools and the region. This year, students will travel to China.
In 2025, 69 students from 35 secondary schools established by the Pilsen Region took part in the pilot program. The students traveled to Japan, where they visited the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. The program culminated on December 1 with a final conference at the Techmania Science Center, attended by the Ambassador of Japan to the Czech Republic, Kansuke Nagaoka. The students shared their newly acquired knowledge with the public and experts.
Students evaluated their experience in Japan very positively, not only in terms of education but also personal development. They agreed that the project was a great opportunity to grow both individually and within the community that formed around the program.
“We want young people from the Pilsen Region to discover the world, gather inspiration, and use it after returning home to develop the region. Their ideas and energy are the driving force of future change,” explains Vladimír Kroc, Deputy Governor of the Pilsen Region for Education and Sport.
The Project Continues in 2026
Following the successful pilot year, the region is continuing the program. The main goal for 2026 will be the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, the largest international skills competition in the world. The event connects young people, representatives of industry, educational institutions, and governments from around the globe and focuses on the development of vocational and technical education.
“WorldSkills in Shanghai is a unique opportunity to see the world’s top skills, technologies, and different working standards live. Students can see how school theory translates into practice and gain inspiration for their future studies and career paths,” says Vladimír Kroc.
Requirements for Students
Students who will still be enrolled at their school in 2026, have at least a B2 level of English, and show a proactive attitude may apply by January 11, 2026. The application also includes a motivation letter and a commitment to share the acquired experience through talks, workshops, or school projects. Each school will select two to three candidates and one substitute (depending on the size of the school). From the selected students, teams will be formed and led by experienced team leaders, who will travel to Beijing and Shanghai.
The study trips to Beijing and Shanghai are planned for September 2026. The Pilsen Region expects total costs of approximately CZK 8 million, with an estimated cost of CZK 80,000 per student, depending on the total number of participants. The funds will cover transport, accommodation, admission to the competition, the work of project coordinators and guides, and additional accompanying programs such as visits to science centers and museums.
Long-Term Vision of the Program
The goal of the Dress Up & Stay Home project is to build a long-term community of active young people interested in modern technologies, trends, and the future of their professions, who are able to transfer their experience back to schools, the region, and their peers.
“The educational program targets proactive students — those who are able to set their own goals and carry out concrete tasks independently. In terms of mindset, this differs from simply active students who only do what they are told. Proactive students have their own drive and creativity,” says program director Vlastimil Volák.
“The program helps students prepare for life and work in a rapidly changing world. It teaches them to understand what influences our lives, how we live, and how new ideas, products, and services from around the world affect our region. It also helps students realize that professions are changing — some are disappearing, others are emerging — and that adaptability will be essential. The program therefore encourages students to build good habits, develop their skills, and learn things that will help them succeed in work and everyday life in ten to fifteen years,” adds Vladimír Kroc.