Many Ukrainians who have found temporary refuge in the Czech Republic are not yet ready to return home. Find out more about the interest of citizens and why they choose to stay abroad

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Back in June 2024, the Czech Republic decided to launch a program to return Ukrainian refugees to their homeland. Now we can say that few refugees are interested in it.

How many people took advantage of the program?

Although the project envisaged the participation of 430 people, only 11 have taken advantage of it so far. In total, 57 people expressed interest in the program, but some withdrew their applications, deciding to return later or on their own.

Main reasons for low interest

Experts believe that the main reason for the low interest is the unstable security situation in Ukraine. Despite the gradual stabilization in some regions, many refugees are still afraid to return to a country where military operations are ongoing. In addition, in the Czech Republic, most Ukrainian IDPs were able to find jobs or integrate into local communities, which created a new social environment for them.

It is also worth mentioning the bureaucratic restrictions provided by the program. For example, the decision to return requires a single application for financial assistance. If a person wants to return to the Czech Republic again within a year, he or she will have to reimburse half of the funds received. This condition also discourages many people from participating in the program.

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Can the program be extended?

The program, which officially started on June 1, will end on November 30, 2024. However, according to Hana Malá, a spokeswoman for the Czech Ministry of the Interior, the possibility of extending the pilot project for another year is being considered. The Czech authorities believe that the initiative has potential, despite the modest results of the first phase.

The program allocated 5.6 million CZK (approximately 250 thousand euros), of which only 136 thousand CZK were used. This fact also raises questions about the effectiveness of the project and its feasibility in the future.

The case of the first program participant, a 40-year-old Ukrainian woman who returned to Ukraine due to a critical health condition, is illustrative. She used medical transport organized by the Czech side and received palliative care during the transportation. This approach illustrates the individualized support offered by the project.

Despite the significant financial support and efforts of the Czech government, the program of voluntary return of refugees to Ukraine has not yet been able to attract a significant number of Ukrainians. The main reasons for this are the situation in Ukraine, social integration in the Czech Republic, and the restrictions imposed by the program's terms. Time will tell whether the continuation of this project will be more effective.

Just to remind you! Pension reform in the Czech Republic has already begun, but changes will be implemented over several years. What are the key features of the pension reform in the Czech Republic and what it means for Ukrainian refugees - read here.

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