The Czech government approved specifications for a pilot programme of assisted voluntary returns to Ukraine, for health or family reasons. The programme, which is designed for a maximum of 430 people, is open to foreigners in the country in connection with the armed conflict in Ukraine.

Those eligible are people granted temporary protection and people who have applied for or have already been granted international protection. 

Bus tickets will be provided to 400 of those approved for the programme, covering travel from their place of residence in the Czech Republic to the nearest place of residence in Ukraine. For the remaining 30 participants, who will be selected based on their difficult health conditions, individual assistance in the form of provision of medical transport services will be provided.

Prospective participants will only be able to apply once for reimbursement of the costs of travelling back to Ukraine. If they then wish to apply for a residence permit in the Czech Republic in the following 12 months, they will be required to pay half of the cost of this themselves. 

The project is scheduled to run for 6 months, from June - November 2024. It therefore coincides with an upcoming legislative change which will significantly reduce support for vulnerable people living in mass accommodation in the Czech republic.  CZK 5 595 000 (EUR 223 800) has been allocated from the budget of the Ministry of the Interior to fund the project.

In connection with this project launch, NGO representatives sent an open letter to the Minister of Labour expressing concern that some people with refugee status, especially those who are unable to work (e.g. due to disabilities, having children, age, illness, etc.), will not be able to cover their basic needs and secure standard housing.