The organization Krajanka in Jablonec nad Nisou helps refugees to find a place on the labour market

Krajanka started as a volunteer initiative two years ago in response to the open invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops. They aimed to help people from Ukraine who came to Czechia as a result of this invasion. During that time, the organization has grown professionally and focused on specific areas such as job search, working with youth and families, and educational seminars.

"The social counseling is the very basis from the very beginning, when the girls, often from Ukraine themselves, try to advise people just how to navigate in the new environment. They try to advise them where to go to the office, what form to fill out in case they lose their housing, so they help them find a place to live," says Veronika Iblová, one of the founders and main characters of Krajanka

Krajanka's assistance now includes job counseling, which links qualifications and experience with the needs of the local labour market. Barriers people face in the labour market include language barriers, lack of legal protection and abuse by employment agencies.

"Many refugees have university degrees but need nostrification of diplomas and exams in Czech," says Anna Tsantsala, another programme coordinator at Krajanka.

Ms Larysa, who came to the Czech Republic at the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, also sought Krajanka's help. At first she worked in an air conditioning factory, but unfortunately her contract expired. Now she is trying to nostrify her degree from Ukraine and find a job where she can use her very good knowledge of Czech, which she managed to learn in two years.

"We would like to stay here. Our daughter goes to school here, find a job and start putting her life together," says Larysa.

NGOs like Krajanka play a key role in connecting business and government institutions with refugees. They serve as protectors of refugees' interests and as intermediaries between them and the authorities and the private sector. They also provide a community platform for all stakeholders.

"Many well-educated people have come to us and it's up to us how we deal with the whole thing," Veronika Iblová sums up.

This IOM Czechia's activity was generously supported by the Government of the United States.