In cooperation with non-profit organisations specialising in immigration issues and coordinated by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, these projects are in development and target areas beyond the reach of the public sector where private funding has the most impact. During the initial support phase, both foundations will concentrate on printing re-editions of Czech language textbooks for all school year-levels and publishing Czech-Ukrainian dictionaries and other materials to assist Ukrainian children in their integration. These books and materials will then be distributed to schools free of charge. The foundations are organising support groups to provide language courses, raise community support and familiarise refugees with local conditions. The foundations are also broadly engaged in negotiations to set up projects to integrate Ukrainian children into the Czech society through free-time and summer-holiday activities.
Support is also specifically directed towards Prague 6 district, where PPF’s headquarters is located. Both funding and materials have been given to the Slunečnice (Sunflower) Community Centre in Prague 6 and certain Prague primary schools. Another Prague 6 community centre has received support for a Czech language teaching programme. Support under The Kellner Family Foundation’s Helping Schools Succeed programme has also been channelled into schools working with Ukrainian pupils.
Material donations alongside financial support and fundraisers by PPF Group employees are an additional source of aid. The Group’s telecommunications companies have donated prepaid SIM cards to refugee relief organisations and provided free roaming services and international calls. The electronics and household appliance retailer, FAST has worked with People in Need to donate consumer electronics. The Group continues to offer accommodation, jobs, and other services, including a website offering financial services in Ukrainian. Employee fundraisers are an ongoing source of additional material aid, gifts for children, and offers of accommodation, transport and assistance to the refugees and families from Ukraine.
