In this section, we explain how non-governmental non-profit organisations operate, including the services they provide. In particular, we explain how free social and legal counselling works. To help you navigate the available support, we have prepared an up-to-date list of organisations in Prague that provide social and legal counselling. The list includes contact information and a brief description of each organisation’s services.
In Prague there are many NGOs that help foreigners with their daily lives and support their integration into Czech society. A key organisation in this field is the Integration Centre Prague (ICP), a public benefit organisation established by the City of Prague - plays a significant role in this area. At many NGOs, you can communicate in your native language. If you do not speak Czech confidently, free interpreting services can be arranged. Anyone can get take part in the activities of the NGOs - you can attend courses and cultural events or become a volunteer. NGOs are supported by the City of Prague, the Czech government, the European Union, and other partners. In Prague, foreigners can access social and legal counselling provided by the Integration Centre Prague (ICP) and other NGOs. These services help people find their way in a new environment and deal with various life situations. Counseling is usually provided as part of an NGO’s registered social services. Counselling is provided by experienced lawyers and social workers with many years of experience working with foreigners. Social counselling can help you with practical matters of everyday life.
SIMI is a human rights NGO that has been defending the rights of migrants and refugees in the Czech Republic since 1992. The organisation provides free legal, social, and psychosocial counselling to all migrants, regardless of their residence status. In addition to working directly with clients, SIMI engages in advocacy, policy development, research, and lobbying to improve the rights and position of migrants in the Czech Republic. It also carries out a wide range of educational and awareness-raising activities aimed at promoting tolerance, solidarity, and social inclusion, while combating xenophobia and racism. The aim of the Centre for Integration of Foreigners (CIC) is to support immigrants in their integration into Czech society by providing social services, educational programmes, and other activities, while continuously developing these services in response to their needs. The CIC Prague provides social and employment counselling, support for people returning to the labour market after unemployment, and Czech language courses, including online courses and e-learning.
Centrum pro integraci cizinců, o. p. Counselling Centre for Integration, z. s. Founded in 1997, PPI has been helping migrants integrate into Czech society for nearly three decades. Its Prague office provides services to clients from Prague and other regions of the Czech Republic. In Ústí nad Labem, PPI runs the Regional Integration Centre for the Ústí nad Labem Region. Each September, PPI organises the Barevná planeta (“Colourful Planet”) multicultural festival in Ústí nad Labem. The PPI is also a founder of the CZECH IN language school. They focus on teaching Czech but also have other courses on offer. FriendShip Prague is an English-speaking network of Czechs and expatriates that provides friendship, practical support, and a sense of community for people in need in Prague. The organisation grew out of the Help Prague’s Homeless volunteer group, where its founders first met while volunteering in 2018. Since 2001, InBaze has been helping migrants integrate into Czech society while raising public awareness of migration issues. The organisation provides comprehensive support services for migrants, including social, legal, employment, and psychological counselling, as well as assistance when dealing with public authorities and schools, including the arrangement of interpreting services. InBaze also organises a wide range of leisure activities for children and adults, including clubs, trips, summer camps, after-school programmes, and mentoring. Schools can take advantage of its multicultural education programmes, such as Story Boxes, debates, cooking workshops, and seminars for teachers. The organisation also hosts a variety of community, educational, and cultural events, including the RefuFest intercultural festival.
Since 2004, META has been promoting equal access to education and supporting the integration of migrants into the labour market. The organisation also provides support to teachers and schools working with children and students whose first language is not Czech. In addition to its direct work with migrants, teachers, and schools, META advocates for an education system that responds systematically and effectively to the educational needs of all learners and helps them develop their full potential. MigAct works to promote an inclusive and diverse civil society. It brings together active individuals, local civic initiatives, and NGOs committed to creating positive change in society. MigAct provides a space for sharing knowledge and experience, offering mutual support, and building networks.
The Multicultural Centre Prague (MKC) is an association that promotes intercultural understanding and the peaceful coexistence of people from different cultural backgrounds in the Czech Republic and beyond. Since its establishment in 1999, it has organised a wide range of educational, cultural, and information activities. The offers workshops, courses, international seminars, discussions, film screenings, book events, and educational programmes for children, students, teachers, librarians, and the general public. Since 1996, Nová škola (“New School”) has been promoting inclusive education for minorities, migrants, and children and young people from socially and culturally disadvantaged backgrounds. Although based in Prague, the organisation operates throughout the Czech Republic. Its mission is to create an open, welcoming environment free from prejudice and to promote equal opportunities for everyone. OPU has been helping migrants integrate into Czech society since 1991, making it one of the oldest NGOs in the Czech Republic. The organisation also actively combats xenophobia, racism, and intolerance while advocating for the rights of migrants. Slovo 21 (“Word 21”) is an NGO which was founded by migrants in 1999. The organisation is known for launching the Khamoro World Roma Festival and for its long-standing work promoting intercultural dialogue and integration. One of its best-known integration projects is Next Door Family, which brings together Czech and migrant families in an informal setting to encourage mutual understanding and friendship. Slovo 21 also publishes Slovo, a magazine for and about foreigners living in the Czech Republic. In addition, the organisation runs Welcome to the Czech Republic (Vítejte v ČR) adaptation and integration courses, which provide newly arrived migrants with essential information and practical guidance for settling in the Czech Republic. Slovo 21 works to promote a multicultural society and to strengthen mutual understanding and the peaceful coexistence of people from different cultural backgrounds in the Czech Republic and across Europe.
The Svitlo Community Centre operates an Infopoint that supports newly arrived refugees from Ukraine who are not yet familiar with life in the Czech Republic. Its intercultural workers provide information about Czech legislation and the support available from the state and NGOs. Particular attention is given to vulnerable groups, including older people, mothers with young children, and young people without family support. Tichý svět (“Silent World”) provides a range of social services for people with hearing impairments and multiple disabilities. The Expert Social Counselling Service supports people with hearing impairments and multiple disabilities who are facing difficult life situations.
