The Czech government, in this document, outlines its 2018 plan for the implementation of its integration policy. It identifies several major areas in which integration policies should be applied, defines concrete measures and designates authorities responsible for their accomplishment. 54 million CZK (2,1 million EUR) are allocated within the state budget to implement these measures in 2018.

Key focus areas include:

• Knowledge of the Czech language, through education for both adults and children, as well as provision of methodological support to teachers
• Economic and social self-sufficiency, through various programmes, job advisory services and re-qualification courses
• Orientation in the society, through provision of pre-departure information and integration, socio-cultural and adaptation courses
• Bridges between immigrants and the majority population, through (inter-) cultural and inter-religious events and dialogue, community interpreters, intercultural workers, support to foreigners´activities, etc.
• Integration on the local and regional level, through support to regional integration centres, funding opportunities for municipalities, support to activities aiming at increasing the political participation of foreigners
• Information campaigns towards both the majority population and foreigners to improve mutual communication
• Strengthened professional competencies of relevant civil servants.

Third-country nationals which now represent more than half of the approximately 510 900 foreigners living in the Czech Republic are the main target group of the Czech integration policy. They most often are from Ukraine (113 397 persons), Vietnam (59 279), and Russia (36 343). Their most frequent purpose of stay is employment (29,3 % of the residence permits issued), family reunification (29,3 %), entrepreneurship (14,9 %) and studies (19,6 %).

Read the Plan