Prague announces multi-million-crown campaign to help foreigners integrate

Prague Deputy Mayor Jiří Pospíšil announced Monday the launch of the Support for National Minorities and Foreigner Integration Program for 2025, which aims to create a more inclusive and integrated community in Prague, helping foreigners better understand locals and vice versa. It also aims to preserve the cultural traditions and language of national minorities while also promoting awareness about the lives of foreigners in the Czech capital. 

Pospíšil expressed his enthusiasm for continuing support for national minorities and foreigners in Prague. "We have unified programs to support these areas, which will simplify integration-related administration and increase efficiency," he stated. Funding for the year 2025 is expected to total CZK 28 million, which will be distributed to civic associations that assist with integration.

The program is divided into six measures, each with a different focus. Among other aspects, it will: support the cultural, social, and educational activities of national minorities in Prague; support the integration of foreigners through cultural and social events, focus on publishing audio and video recordings related to the relationship between national minorities and the city; and support ongoing efforts to present the culture of minorities in Prague.

The initiative will also support the activities of foreign organizations and initiatives promoting civic engagement and integration of foreigners. The program will provide funding for a variety of activities, including concerts, exhibitions, theater performances, lectures, conferences, seminars, and educational programs. The application period for the program (for civic organizations) runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 14. 

“The public should speak Czech. Other factors of successful integration include having a job in the Czech Republic, knowing Czech history or culture, or participating in social life in the place of residence,” the City of Prague said in 2022.

Last year, the Ministry of Labor launched a communication campaign to integrate Ukrainian refugees into the labor market. The campaign dispelled the belief that refugees from Ukraine were “taking jobs” from Czech people and promoted acceptance and support for Ukrainian refugees in Czechia.