Integration of Third Country Nationals in the Czech Republic

1. Integration of Third Country Nationals in the Czech Republic THE SUMMER SCHOOL ON MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION 4.9.2013 Department for Asylum and Migration Policy Jan Kepka

2. Immigrants in the Czech Republic • population of the CR: app. 10.500.000 • since 1989 almost thirteen times more immigrants (35.224 – 31.12.1989, 438.636 – 30.6.2013) • since 2000 two times more immigrants • around 4 % of population • 51 % permanent residence permit : 49 % other types of permit • The Czech Republic has more immigrants than Poland, Hungary and Slovakia together

3. Selected findings • Source: the Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs (2013) – 347 respondents (Ukraine, Vietnam, Russia) • Low knowledge of the Czech language (57% have problem to speak in Czech language, 6% almost none) • One quarter exposed to xenophobia often or very often • Low knowledge about rights and responsibilities • Worsening of economical situation • 60% interested in Citizenship • Around 10% used free integration services (subjective view) X 14% used very expensive unofficial network of agents (subjective view)

4. Immigrants in the Czech Rep.

5. Countries of Origin (30.6.2013)

6. Integration of Immigrants • Common basic principles for immigrant integration policy in the European Union – 2004 under Dutch Presidency – 11 principles • Legal basis for integration in the European Union: Article 79.4 of Lisbon Treaty – enables measures to be established at the European level to provide incentives and support for the action of Member States with a view to promoting the integration of third-country nationals residing legally in their territories, excluding any harmonization of the laws and regulations of the Member

7. Integration as two way process • Immigrants and society engaged together • Society • Open, helpful and welcoming • Encouraging participation • Guaranteeing rights and antidiscrimination policies • Immigrants • Active • Aware of their rights and responsibilities • Respect for the basic values of society and the EU

8. Integration – selected statements • Beneficial and effective migration is dependent on the success of integration • Long-term process • No possibility to step down • Two-way process • Responsiveness from both sides as precondition • Language, information and labour market • 2ndgeneration • Integration, not assimilation

9. The Policy for Integration I. • The Policy for Integration of Immigrants: overview prepared for approval by the Government each year (first Policy was approved in the year 2000, update 2006 and 2011) • Target group:legally residing Third Country Nationals (outside EU) and recently EU citizens in critical situation • Out of target group:asylum seekers, recognized refugees (special integration program – housing, language teaching, labour market)

10. The Policy for Integration II. Targeted specific measures: 1) knowledge of the Czech language 2) immigrant’s economic self-sufficiency 3) immigrant’s orientation in society 4) immigrant’s relations with members of the host society

11. The Policy for Integration III. Selected Goals of the Integration: • Active participation of immigrants • Prevention of conflicts between immigrants and society • Prevention of closing of communities • Prevention of social exclusion • Second generation • Regional and Local level of integration measures

12. The Policy for Integration IV. Selected Principles of the Policy: • Efficiency of the integration measures • Clear and visible practical results • Practical cooperation of stakeholders • Support of the Civic Society • New tools

13. Ministries cooperating in the process of integration • The Ministry of the Interior - COORDINATOR • The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs • The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports • The Ministry of Culture • The Ministry of Health Services • The Ministry for Regional Development • The Ministry of Finance • The Ministry of Industry and Trade

14. Other stakeholders cooperating in the process of integration • Regions • Cities • NGOs • Regional Foreign Nationals Integration Support Centers • Other partners

15. Implementation • since 2000 • coordination – Ministry of the Interior • inter-ministerial cooperation • international cooperation • main guidelines and budget approved by the Government every year • close cooperation with non-governmental organizations • Regional Foreign Nationals Integration Support Centers

16. State BudgetDirect Financial Support for Integration Measures 2000 4 000 000 CZK 2001 20 000 000 CZK 2002 16 000 000 CZK 2003 22 000 000 CZK 2004 20 000 000 CZK 2005 12 000 000 CZK 2006 25 000 000 CZK 2007 25 000 000 CZK 2008 25 000 000 CZK • 23 512 500 CZK • 10 000 000 CZK • 25 000 000 CZK • 25 000 000 CZK • 25 000 000 CZK

17. Financial Resources I. • State budget: • short-term (mostly 1 year duration) • aimed • covers empty spaces among EU funds • European Social fund: • long-term • huge amount of finances covering up to 100% • mainly solving labour market issues – since 2004 • Local Authorities • Other (embassies, foundations, etc.)

18. Financial Resources II. • European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals for the period of 2007-2013 • Since 2009 • Limited target group – TCN • First structural change in integration – supportive measures on regional and local level • Regional Foreign Nationals Integration Support Centers Creation of Multiannual and Annual program by the Czech Republic

19. Implementation – examples I. • Variety of projects prepared by NGOs – best practices • Emergency Projects with Local Authorities (since 2008, 8 in 2013) • Regional Foreign Nationals Integration Support Centers – in 12 out of 14 regions in 2013 • the 60-day protection period after termination of employment • Language tests for permanent residence permit – A1 • Informational Booklet for Foreigners • Other informational materials – Information for Foreigners with Long-Term Residence, Information for Foreigners with Permanent Residence Permit, Housing in the Czech Republic, etc. • WEB – www.cizinci.cz and www.immigrationportal.cz • Mainstreaming and finances

20. Implementation – examples II. • Change of school law – children of immigrants from third-countries have right to visit special lessons of Czech language; schools can obtain assistants for them • Helpline of the Ministry of the Interior (general inquiries related to Czech residence permits, travelling in the Schengen or other immigration issues) • Assistants in selected offices of the Ministry of the Interior • New information package developed by NGO Slovo 21 in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, IOM, Centers and selected NGOs • Next stop: the Czech Republic – Pre-departure information • Welcome to the Czech Republic – adaptation/integration courses • How do I do this? – instructional animated film and leaflet • Czech Statistical Office yearbook – Foreigners in the Czech Republic • Indicators of integration

21. Regional Foreign Nationals Integration Support Centers I. • first Centers were open on July 1st 2009 • structural change in integration – supportive measures on regional and local level • subsidized mainly by the European Integration Fund • open competition • clear goals (minimum 1000 clients, social and legal counseling, language and orientation courses, platform, monitoring, cultural events, etc.)

22. Regional Foreign Nationals Integration Support Centers II. • very welcomed result of competition - variability of implementers (religious legal organization, NGO, region, state contributory organization) • the Centres cooperate intensively with local actors, mainly NGOs, and they support the activities of the immigrants themselves • services provided mainly in county seats but also in a number of other towns and villages in a region • successful exchange on international level • for the time existing services provided for more than 33.800 foreigners till the end of 2012 • apart from that, thousands of foreigners and representatives of the major society participate in cultural and community activities organized by the Centers

23. Emergency Projects • since 2008 • implemented by municipalities • critical situation in places with high density of foreigners • tension between foreigners and major society • complex package of tailor-made integration measures • cooperation of local stakeholders (NGOs, schools, clubs, hospitals, employers, etc.) • prevention of xenophobia and racism • 5 conferences – sharing of knowledge • 8 projects in 2013

24. Indicators of the Integration • One of the main topics of CZ PRES in the field of integration • Developed by the Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs • Professionalism, independence, objectivity • Important data from different sources in one place • Update every 6 months • Analytical part and Policy Paper • Early Warning System • Round Tables and Conferences • EU Indicators of the Integration – Zaragoza 2010

25. International Cooperation • National Contact Points on Integration: European Commission`s working group since 2003 – meets 5-6x a year – Tour de Table, exchange of information and best practices, technical seminars, preparation and revision of important documents, etc. • Integration Forum • EU high level conferences: • Groeningen 9.-11.11.2004 • Potsdam 10.-11. 5.2007 • Vichy 3.-4.11.2008 • Zaragoza 15.-16.4.2010 • Bilateral and multilateral cooperation

26. FUTURE PLANS? Working on: • pre-departure package • welcome courses Under consideration: • welcome courses as an obligatory measure • level A2 – permanent residence permit

27. Thank you for your attention! Jan Kepka phone: +420 974 832 305 E-mail: jan.kepka@mvcr.cz