Anna Lindh Foundation

Association for Integration and Migration (SIMI Sdružení pro integraci a migraci)

National Network

Czech Republic

Address

Havlíčkovo náměstí 2

Country

Czech Republic

Street address 2

Prague, 130 00

Mobile Phone

+420731584126

Telephone

+420 224 224 379

E-Mail

faltova@migrace.com

Year of Establishment

1992

Facebook

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Contact Person1

Vojtěch Zemánek

Contact Person 2

Lucie Alalu

Job Title 2

PR

Organisation Type

Non-Governmental Organization

Fields of Activity

Human rights

General Information

The Association for Integration and Migration (SIMI) was established over 30 years ago in response to the arrival of refugees from the former Yugoslavia and has since provided assistance and support to refugees and migrants in the Czech Republic, irrespective of their legal status. During its existence, SIMI has built a stable position among organizations dealing with refugees and migrants from around the world and is one of the recognized experts in the field with approx. 25 employees and several volunteers and external co-coworkers. governmental support, private companies. More information on our funding can be found in our annual reports in this link https://www.migrace.com/en/support/download/annual-reports. For more information on our projects see https://www.migrace.com/en/mission/projects

Mission and Objectives

SIMI defends the rights of migrants and provides them with comprehensive support regardless of their background. We support integration, coexistence, and strive for a fair and open society. Our vision is an open and informed society that perceives migration as a benefit and a natural part of life. We aim to create an environment where migrants have easy access to information, rules are clearly formulated, and the specific needs of each individual are considered.

Main Projects / Activities

Our main activities are
Services for migrants. We provide free legal, social and psychosocial counseling to migrants and refugees living in the Czech Republic. As a successor of the Counseling Centre for Refugees, we have been providing counselling since 1992. In the course of our operations our services have been used by at least 40,000 migrants.
Influencing the public. We work with the general public to promote tolerance and combat xenophobia and racism. Workers of SIMI appear in the media, participate in discussions, seminars and conferences while they give lectures at elementary and high schools and universities throughout all the Czech Republic.
Advocacy and watchdog. Through its expert work, SIMI seeks to influence migration and refugee legislation and public policies. By means of initiatives, scholarly articles and advocacy, we strive to create living conditions that are, in the long term, better and more favourable to migrants in the Czech Republic.

Projects in 2024: Unity in Integration: Strengthening accommodation programs for Refugees Welcome organizations (UI) (financed by Erasmus+ Programme, KA2: Small-scale partnerships); Improving protection of labor rights of vulnerable migrants in the Czech Republic (financed by PICUM); Support for asylum seekers and refugees in Czechia (financed by UNHCR); Let's learn together (financed by MHMP); Legal advice for people who do not meet the conditions for entry or residence (co-financed by the European Union under the national programme of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the budget of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic); Legal and social counseling for applicants for international protection (Co-financed by the European Union under the national programme of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the budget of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic); I give birth peacefully without violence (financed by Iceland Liechtenstein Norway Grants).

The list and description of our previous projects can be found here: https://www.migrace.com/en/mission/projects

How can you contribute to the Network in your country?

SIMI brings expertise in several areas. We have five main programs, which focus on specific situation of migrant women, fair asylum and migration policies, labor migration, education and engagement with the public, and support for Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic. We are very vocal on these topics and can share good practices and expertise.

Why do you want to join the ALF Network?

We appreciate the educational and granting opportunities by the ALF network as well as the possibility to interconnect with other local organizations here in the Czech Republic. The ALF network also provides for a great opportunity to create cooperation and partnerships with same valued organizations from the entire Euromed region.