Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organisations (NGOs)
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. Each organisation offers different services and has a different focus, so we recommend visiting their website first to find out what services they provide and how to make an appointment.
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. It is regularly updated in cooperation with the organisations.
About NGOs in general
In Prague there are many NGOs that help foreigners with their daily lives and support their integration into Czech society. They offer social, legal, and psychological counselling, Czech language courses, various educational programmes, as well as cultural and community activities for all Prague residents, not just foreigners.
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. Its mission is to coordinate integration activities and collaborate with NGOs, local governments, and the Prague City Hall to ensure that support for foreigners is as effective as possible.
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. Most services and activities are free of charge or available for a nominal fee.
NGOs are supported by the City of Prague, the Czech government, the European Union, and other partners. Their mission is to help people and promote social inclusion, making it easier for everyone to live together in the community.
Social and legal counselling
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. To access these services, you may need to register and book an appointment.
Counselling is provided by experienced lawyers and social workers with many years of experience working with foreigners. They provide up-to-date and reliable information and help you become more independent and self-sufficient so that, over time, you can deal with most matters on your own.
Social counselling
Social counselling can help you with practical matters of everyday life. Experienced social workers can advise you on topics such as:
- Housing and finding accomodation
- Employment and labour law rights
- Health care and health insurance
- Social security and benefits
- Education for children and adults
- Recognition of education (diplomas obtained abroad)
- Communication with authorities and assistance with official documents
Legal counselling
Lawyers can advise you on residence and legal matters in the Czech Republic, such as:
problems with delays by authorities in residence proceedings or with the revocation of residence permits,
family matters (marriage, divorce, child support, paternity determination),
labor law issues (employment contracts, non-payment of wages, work permits),
civil law (lease agreements, debts, claims),
basic information on starting a business (e.g., how to obtain a business license).
- Applications for long-term visas and residence permits, including their extension or change
- Applications for temporary or permanent residence
- Delays by authorities in residence proceedings and revocation of residece permits
- Family law matters (marriage, divorce, child support, paternity determination)
- Employment law matters (employment contracts, unpaid wages, work permits)
- Civil law matters (lease agreements, debts, claims)
- Basic information on starting a business (e.g., how to obtain a trade license)
List of NGOs in Prague
Integration Centre Prague (ICP)
Association for Integration and Migration (SIMI)
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. SIMI organises and participates in national and international campaigns and is a member of networks of organisations working on migration, anti-racism, and the protection of the rights of refugees and migrants in the Czech Republic and across Europe.
In the areas of integration, migration, and asylum, SIMI focuses on gender equality, domestic violence, support for older migrants, and promoting more inclusive cities and municipalities.
To learn more about SIMI, visit its website.
Contact:
Address: Baranova 33, 130 00, Prague 3
Email: poradna@migrace.com
Telephone: +420 224 224 379
Website: www.migrace.com/en
Facebok: www.facebook.com/SIMIporadna
Centre for Integration of Foreigners (CIC)
Mission and motto of the CIC: “We help immigrants become our fellow citizens.”
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 also works to promote a more open and inclusive social and legislative environment and to strengthen support for the social participation and integration of immigrants.
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. You can also get involved by becoming a CIC volunteer.
Contacts:
Centrum pro integraci cizinců, o. p. s.
Address: Pernerova 10/32, 186 00 Prague 8
Email: info@cicops.cz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/centrumprointegracicizincu
Social counselling
Contact: +420 704 600 700; info@cicops.cz
Perspektiva (“Perspective”) – social rehabilitation and employment counselling
Contact: +420 702 150 630; prace@cicops.cz
Czech for foreigners
Contact: +420 735 173 738; npk@cicops.cz
Volunteer programme – clubs and activities
Contact: +420 737 293 359; dobrovolnici@cicops.cz
Counselling Centre for Integration, z. s. (PPI)
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. PPI provides free social and legal counselling, Czech language courses, and a variety of leisure activities for children and adults.
Contact:
Address: Opletalova 921/6, 110 00, Prague 1
Telephone: +420 603 281 269
Email: praha@p-p-i.cz
Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/PoradnaprointegraciPraha
The PPI is also a founder of the CZECH IN language school. They focus on teaching Czech but also have other courses on offer. To learn more, see their website.
FriendShip Prague
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. In 2021, they expanded to a bigger “ship” in order to support more of our homeless friends, registering FriendShip as a formal registered non-profit.
Guided by the values of community and cooperation, FriendShip Prague uses English as its main language so that people who do not speak Czech can easily get involved, build connections, and work together to support those in need.
Contacts:
Address: Prague 8, Chlumova 515/11, 130 00
E-mail: send a message
Web page: https://www.friendshipprague.com/
InBaze
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. In addition, it runs the social enterprise Ethnocatering.
Contact:
Address: Legerova 357/50, 120 00, Prague 2 – Vinohrady
Email: info@inbaze.cz
Website: www.inbaze.cz/english
Facebook: www.facebook.com/InBaze
Telephone: (+420) 739 037 353
Links:
- KRUHY multicultural groups – regular meetings of parents with children and meetings of seniors; regular conversation meetings for women
META
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. META also offers a wide range of activities for the public, promoting open dialogue and mutual understanding between migrants and the majority population.
Contact:
Management, services for teachers – address: Žerotínova 1124/35, 130 00, Prague 3
Services for migrants – address: Žerotínova 1124/35, 130 00 Prague 3
Website: www.meta-ops.cz
Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/metavzdelavani
MigAct
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 organisation focuses on capacity building and empowering individuals to become active members of society, build confidence, and realise their full potential.
Contact:
Address: Světova 523/1, Prague 8
Website: https://migact.net/
Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/migactinitiative
Email: contact@migact.net,
Telephone: +420 774 324 035.
Multicultural Centre of Prague
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. It also operates a public library specialising in multicultural and migration-related topics.
The MKC Prague also runs the migraceonline.cz website, which provides up-to-date information on migration research, migration and asylum legislation, and the activities of governmental and non-governmental organisations. Its audience includes researchers, public administration professionals, NGOs, journalists, and anyone interested in migration and integration issues.
Contact:
Address: Náplavní 1, 120 00, Prague 2
Website: https://mkc.cz
Facebok: www.facebook.com/MKCPraha
Links:
Nová škola
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. Nová škola also organises training courses, seminars, and conferences and works closely with migrants and professionals from various fields, including teachers.
Contact:
Address: Křižíkova 344/6, Prague 8, 186 00
Email: novaskola@novaskolaops.cz
Website: www.novaskolaops.cz
Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/novaskolaops/?fref=ts
Organization for Aid to Refugees (OPU)
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. OPU provides social and legal counselling, Czech language courses, and a variety of leisure activities for children and adults.
Contact:
Address: Kovářská 4, Prague 9, 190 00
Email: opu@opu.cz
Website: www.opu.cz
Social department
Telephone: +420 730 158 779, +420 739 413 983
Legal department
Telephone: +420 730 158 779, +420 730 158 781
Email: pravni@opu.cz
Slovo 21
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. For more information about these courses, have a look here.
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. Although it does not provide social or legal counselling, it actively combats racism and xenophobia, promotes respect for human rights, and works to improve the public image of minorities and migrants.
Since 2018, Slovo 21 has also organised integration seminars for beneficiaries of international protection. More information is available here.
Contact:
Address: Táborská 979/5, 140 00 Praha 4
Email: info@slovo21.cz
Websites: www.slovo21.cz, www.vitejtevcr.cz, www.novy-domov.cz, www.khamoro.cz
Telephone: +420 604 242 363
Facebook: www.facebook.com/slovo21, www.facebook.com/vitejtevcr, www.facebook.com/festivalkhamoro
Svitlo Community Centre and Infopoint
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. The Infopoint also assists people whose circumstances have changed during their stay in the Czech Republic.
Consultations are available in person, by telephone, and by email. Svitlo’s aim is to reduce barriers to accessing information caused by language barriers, limited digital literacy, or the complexity of available services and information.
Address: Old Town Square 4/1, 11000 Prague 1 – Old Town, 2nd floor
Website: www.skautskyinstitut.cz/svitlo-cz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/svitlopraha
Telegram: https://t.me/svitlopraha
Tichý svět
Tichý svět (“Silent World”) provides a range of social services for people with hearing impairments and multiple disabilities. The Social Rehabilitation Service helps clients develop the social and practical skills they need to live independently and participate fully in society.
The Expert Social Counselling Service supports people with hearing impairments and multiple disabilities who are facing difficult life situations. It provides guidance, helps clients understand and exercise their rights, and supports them in finding solutions that improve their quality of life.
The Interpreting and Transcription Service enables barrier-free communication for people with hearing impairments and multiple disabilities who use Czech Sign Language or communicate in written Czech.
Address: Na Strži 1683/40, 140 00 Prague 4
Email: info@tichysvet.cz
Website: www.tichysvet.cz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/konzultantky.tichysvet.praha