Finding your way around, knowing the language, and having access to verified information. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, we have been trying to facilitate the adaptation and subsequent integration of Ukrainian refugees into Czech society through, amongst other things, information activities, interpreter accompaniment, and informal Czech language courses.
• At the information sessions, we provide up-to-date and verified information, which is always tailored to the needs of the participants.
• In situations where precise communication with the Czech side is needed, we provide interpreter accompaniment throughout the country,
• We organize informal Czech language courses and give refugees the confidence to speak Czech.
Our help so far in numbers (for 2022 and 2023)
• 6,000 refugees attended our information sessions
• We provided interpreters for 464 people
• 1,400 students learned Czech better thanks to us
Informational meetings
Slovo 21 came up with the concept of an informational meetings for refugees from Ukraine already in 2022, immediately after the start of the war in Ukraine. We held meetings with Ukrainian and Russian-speaking lecturers for the newly arrived refugees in accommodation facilities, which provided them with up-to-date and verified information on the most pressing issues of the given situation. For example, how to find housing, apply for benefits, or enroll children in school. We also provided this assistance to Roma refugees from Ukraine.
Even though the needs of refugees have changed considerably two years after the start of the war, the meetings continue in 2024, both online and live. Today we mainly focus on practical issues related to life in the Czech Republic, such as employment, the health system, education or changes in legislation for refugees. Above all, we always meet the needs of meeting participants, who direct the program thematically themselves.
The language barrier often represents a major obstacle in official communication with the authorities. That's why we mobilized intercultural workers throughout the country to provide interpreters for the refugees and thus facilitate understanding.
Informal Czech language courses
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, we have been providing Czech language courses to refugees. After less than two years, our students already have a certain level of spoken Czech, so we have moved from more grammar-oriented teaching to informal conversation, which makes everyday situations easier for refugees and gives them the confidence to speak Czech.
Community interpreting
The language barrier often represents a major obstacle in official communication (and not only) with the authorities. That is why we mobilized intercultural workers throughout the country to provide refugees with interpretation escorts and thus facilitate understanding. Our community interpreters accompany Ukrainians to employment offices, to doctors, to the insurance company, to psychotherapy, or even to the vehicle registry. In short, wherever there is a need.
All the mentioned activities are carried out within the framework of the Support for the Ukrainian Refugees in the Czech Republic 2024 project, financed by UNHCR.
