In February 2022, with the outbreak of the active phase of Russian aggression against Ukraine, a large number of Ukrainian families arrived in Brno. All aid and educational centers were immediately overwhelmed, with people arriving in endless streams from morning until evening. This was happening at a time when no one had yet fully recovered from the effects of the coronavirus epidemic.
Nevertheless, our center, like many others, took responsibility for these people, most of whom were unprepared for life in a foreign country. Many refugees did not believe they would stay long in the Czech Republic and therefore did not try to assimilate into Czech society. Initially, they sought to orient themselves in the new conditions and obtain necessary help in finding housing and work.
However, thanks to the Czech Republic’s government programs and the efforts of educational, healthcare, non-governmental, and charitable organizations, good conditions for the adaptation and support of Ukrainian families were eventually created.
Our work as a Multicultural Center was complicated by the fact that we were also receiving refugee families from Russia. This was met with misunderstanding within the local Ukrainian community and was used to spread misinformation about our work. However, at the Multicultural Center, we do not distinguish people by nationality and adhere to the principles of equal access to education for all, so we continued our work without hesitation. Our activities were needed by people since the establishment of the Center, and later, they only became more important.
Czech Language Courses and School Integration
In February 2022, additional Czech language courses were opened at the Multicultural Center in Brno for refugees from Ukraine. Many began studying the language as early as March. Some refugees from these initial courses have remained good friends with us, and some have even become employees and continue to work with us to this day.
In September, with the start of the school year, school-aged children were assigned to schools. Additional positions for bilingual teaching assistants were created to help them during their first year integrate into the educational process on an equal footing with other students. The state also provided extra hours for advanced Czech language studies.
At the same time, children in our center learned Czech, English, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Spanish, and Italian; they reviewed school subjects, including physics, mathematics, and biology; and they played the piano and guitar, sang, drew, created art, and played chess.
It was then that Ludmila Vladimirovna Pinchuk joined our center, becoming the coordinator of the Ukrainian Family Center. She also began working as a teaching assistant in a school and officially represented the interests of the Ukrainian minority at the Minority Affairs Club at the Brno City Hall.
Support Projects
Various projects funded by Czech and European funds were launched, aimed at the development and support of Ukrainian families, children, and youth.
The primary task of Ludmila Pinchuk at the Multicultural Center was to adapt Ukrainian children to life in the Czech Republic. Families received detailed information about:
The specifics of studying the Czech language and subjects in Czech schools;
The education system in the Czech Republic;
Gaps in the educational material that children had missed for various reasons (language changes, COVID, the onset of the war, and related issues).
Ludmila Pinchuk also organized weekend leisure activities for children, including excursions, trips, and museum visits. She communicated with parents about current issues and helped resolve conflicts of varying complexity.
One of our successful projects was the Czech-Ukrainian-Russian music festival for children, KIDS MUSIC SLAVIC FESTIVAL IN BRNO. Students from our vocal department, from various countries, also participated in projects supporting Ukraine and took part in traditional Multicultural Center concerts. The performances were seen as a peaceful way to resolve conflict.
From February to September 2023, the Multicultural Center Brusinka organized a series of free events funded through the long-term Erasmus+ project "Let’s Come Together," aimed at integrating Ukrainian refugees into Czech society. As part of the project, we offered Czech language courses for children and adults, various excursions and workshops, as well as a joint market of Ukrainian and Czech artisans.
Challenges
Despite the efforts of state structures, Ukrainian refugees and their host communities and organizations still face several serious issues, including:
Lack of resources to continue and expand support programs;
Difficulties ensuring the long-term sustainability of integration and adaptation activities;
The need for an individualized approach, especially for children, which requires more resources and specialized personnel;
Shortages of qualified jobs, housing, and healthcare.
Current Situation and Trends
In 2024, we were only partially able to secure funding for our Ukrainian department, which led us to increase the costs of courses and clubs. Unfortunately, the current financial capabilities of parents do not meet the needs and wishes of schoolchildren. This year, children require more attention and an individualized approach due to the adaptation difficulties they have faced in recent years. Tolerance for language barriers in Czech society has significantly declined, yet the language barrier remains. Therefore, all refugees pursuing education have had to work harder than ever before. At the same time, unresolved psychological issues and academic challenges remain.
Nevertheless, there has been a growing understanding among students and their parents of the need for continued life and education in the Czech Republic. There is a trend towards staying to study here, which has led to a more conscious approach to education and continuing studies at secondary schools and universities. They require constant additional assistance and coordination in this regard.
Contribution of the Head of the Ukrainian Department
Under the leadership of the CEO of the Multicultural Center, Viktorie Netíková, the head of the Ukrainian Family Department, Ludmila Vladimirovna Pinchuk, played a key role in supporting Ukrainian families and children. Thanks to her efforts and proactive approach, communication was established between Ukrainian families and representatives of Czech schools to ensure necessary support and adaptation.
The work of the Ukrainian Family Department at the Multicultural Center in Brno from 2022 to 2024 was challenging and eventful. Despite financial and organizational complications, conditions were successfully created for the adaptation and support of Ukrainian children and their families.
We consider it important and necessary to continue our work, to make efforts in this direction, and to provide the necessary help and support to children in their pursuit of a successful future in the Czech Republic. In addition to language courses and tutoring, we offer music and art classes, mini clubs for children, sessions with a speech therapist, math and chess lessons.
For parents, we provide courses, career and financial consultations, document translation, co-working spaces with childcare, as well as psychological support, technical support, and free laptops for those in need, donated by IT organizations in Brno.
The current situation is that the number of refugees from Ukraine in South Moravia is declining, and many are returning home. However, refugee issues remain a large part of the daily work and life of our Center, so we are constantly seeking funding to support them.
Would you like to help us?
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We would be grateful for any help and support, including supplies for creative activities – paper, paints, colored pencils, and markers. Thank you!
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