Foreigners
UNHCR: Support for Ukrainian refugees
Since the start of the Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2022, we have been helping those in need. Initially, we provided up-to-date information and humanitarian aid; today, our main focus is on strengthening mutual understanding and cohesion between Czechs and Ukrainian refugees, as well as the wider community.
· This extensive UNHCR project includes a variety of activities ranging from school workshops and theatrical performances to interpretation support and research.
· Thanks to close contact with our community on the Slovo pro Ukrajinu profiles, we know exactly what Ukrainian refugees are dealing with and what their needs are. This allows us to respond flexibly and adapt everything to the current situation.
· We are not just focused on Czechs and Ukrainians, but on all nationalities living in the Czech Republic. Let’s get to know each other better and develop greater mutual understanding.
Theatre of the Oppressed
A theatrical performance that lets the audience experience what it is like to be a Ukrainian refugee. This is the production "Svetlana," created based on the true stories of Ukrainian women with the help of experts Dana Moree and Líza Urbanová. The Theatre of the Oppressed is a unique method designed for (non)actors, who use the language of theatre to explore their life stories and real-life situations. The audience also plays an important role, as they are interactively involved in the performance and discuss the situations presented. Every performance thus becomes a unique experience thanks to the audience's participation.
Hello Czech Republic
What feelings do people experience when they find themselves in a foreign country as refugees, or how complex is the asylum process in the Czech Republic? We discuss these topics with students in schools to raise awareness about migration. Most importantly, we want to guide them toward tolerance and consideration for other people and their cultures—in short, to teach them how to live together with others.
A class of students, 2 instructors, 2 hours, and the topic of the refugee experience: this is the foundation of our workshop, which we organize for middle and high school students. Would you like to host a workshop at your school? Get in touch with us at info@slovo21.cz.
More information about Hello Czech Republic
Research on refugee integration and adaptation
What challenges are war refugees from Ukraine facing in the Czech Republic? And how have their perceptions and behaviors changed more than two years since the start of the war in Ukraine? Together with the Faculty of Science at Charles University, we are conducting long-term research into how Ukrainian refugees are gradually integrating into life in the Czech Republic.
The university provides the academic expertise for the research, while our role is to collect the data. The uniqueness of this study lies in tracking changes among the same respondents over time and monitoring their subjective attitudes. The research report, "War Refugees from Ukraine in the Czech Republic (2022–2023): Situation and Subjective Attitudes," was presented in June 2024.
Providing up-to-date information
Since 2022, we have been organizing information meetings for refugees from Ukraine in various locations, primarily in accommodation facilities. Our Ukrainian and Russian-speaking instructors have provided current and verified information on the most pressing issues, such as how to find housing, apply for benefits, or enroll children in school. Similar meetings were also held for Roma refugees from Ukraine.
We are continuing to hold these meetings in 2024, both online and in person, even though the needs of refugees have changed significantly two years after the start of the war. Today, we focus mainly on practical issues related to life in the Czech Republic, such as employment, the healthcare system, education, and legislative changes for refugees. Most importantly, we always cater to the needs of the participants, who help shape the thematic focus of the program themselves.
Online content
We are also expanding our information outreach through short, clear videos that complement the topics discussed at our information meetings. In 2023, Slovo 21 built a diverse social media ecosystem Slovo for Ukraine on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram, which has become our primary tool for communicating with refugees and has reached one million views.
In 2024, we will be creating videos covering legislative changes, access to the labor market, the social and healthcare systems, and other practical topics. Through this multimedia approach, we aim to ensure that key information is accessible even to those who cannot attend our meetings, thereby supporting inclusive information dissemination.
Interpretation support
Unfortunately, language remains a barrier, and not just in official communication with authorities. That is why we have mobilized intercultural workers across the country to facilitate understanding. Our community interpreters accompany Ukrainians to labor offices, doctors, insurance companies, therapy sessions, and even vehicle registration offices—wherever they need assistance.
Informal Czech language courses
We have been organizing Czech language courses since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. After less than two years, our students have reached a certain level of spoken Czech, so we have shifted from more grammar-focused lessons to informal conversation, which helps refugees navigate everyday situations and gives them the confidence to speak Czech.
Family Next Door
For over twenty years, we have been connecting Czech families with families of foreigners from all corners of the world. The recipe? Simple! Unforgettable meetings at a dining table full of flavors, aromas, and, most importantly, stories. A shared lunch between two families who have never met before often leads to a long-lasting friendship.
More information about Family Next Door
The Support for the Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic 2025 project was funded by UNHCR.
.jpg)
Four years of war. How Slovo 21 and UNHCR helped Ukrainians get back on their feet
Constant fear for one's life and the lives of loved ones. Uncertainty about what the next day will bring. Damaged relationships. It has been four years since the Russian invasion turned the lives of millions upside down. Slovo 21 also offered help to the thousands of Ukrainians who began arriving in the Czech Republic in search of safety immediately after the war began. It joined forces with UNHCR to address the most pressing needs.