Summer at Hostačov

Hostačov is a 16th-century château in the Czech Highlands. It’s becoming a place for people from Czechia and abroad who want to think seriously about where the world is heading and how to respond well.

From late July through early August, the château hosts a two-week arc of programming focused on the implications of accelerating change. EA Czechia is collaborating on the first week.

If you are interested in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, global challenges, the future of society, or simply in spending part of the summer in a beautiful setting, with room for thoughtful discussions or meaningful work, join us for the summer programme at Hostačov.

The aim is to bring together people interested in important questions, ambitious projects, meaningful conversations – whether they come from effective altruism, PauseAI, the start-up world, or any other field or community. In short, people who are curious about the challenges ahead. 

See also: https://hostacov.notion.site/high-summer

Register here

When: 27 July – 2 August 2026

You are welcome to join us for the whole stay or any part of it. The main part of the programme will be the weekend of 31 July – 2 August.

Weekend: 31 July – 2 August

• a curated weekend convening on navigating accelerating change
• around 60 participants
• includes a larger gathering for people interested in effective altruism
• Saturday is more structured (morning plenary, parallel sessions, dinner in the courtyard)
• Sunday is emergent (unconference)
• Friday is arrival
• organized by František Drahota
• a good lineup of contributors is forming; more details soon
• see also: https://hostacov.notion.site/wayfinding

Weekdays: 27 – 31 July

• residential coworking retreat
• during the day, participants can choose from a range of options: focused work in a small group on a meaningful project connected to the themes of the event, individual work or study, or simply taking time to relax
• afternoons and evenings: discussions, walks in the beautiful surroundings, optional shared activities
• more self-organised: anyone present can contribute to the programme
• quieter and more flexible format
• a good option if you want focused work time, a few quieter days to recharge, or more time at Hostačov before the main weekend starts

Logistics. Contribution model: €30–60/day residency days (self-catered), €40–80/day Wayfinding weekend (catered), with reduced, standard, and supporter options within each range. Most rooms shared with one or two others; private rooms available. Bursaries available, especially for people working on valuable projects or helping with organisation. Nobody should be kept away by money.

Language. The weekend will be primarily in English. During the week, the language will depend on who is there and on participants’ preferences; some activities may be in English, others in Czech. 

Following days. Those who are interested can also stay on after the weekend:

• 3–5 August · Open days. The midweek between the weekend and the retreat. Quieter residency continues for those staying through. A good time to integrate or rest.
• 6–10 August · Integral Altruism Retreat. A quieter, more contemplative register. A retreat exploring the relationship between altruistic orientation, inner development, systems thinking, and wisdom practice. Organised separately by the Integral Altruism stewards.

Register here