We all have many common and a number of specific requirements that quality design and architecture help address, which is why we want to know yours!

Whether you are part of any group, whether you walk, use public transportation, a car, a bicycle, or combine all options, your feedback will help us incorporate your needs into the emerging wayfinding and make it the best for everyone.

If you are interested in participating in the research, please sign up using the [questionnaire](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdF6Uiz-AWi-WMwzme5lEkeZel375Ueg5VzzEntitsQl8j7-A/viewform).


Currently, we are looking for respondents for the autumn research at the HolKa location near the Štvanická lávka, where we are piloting elements of pedestrian navigation – an obelisk and directional sign. For a 30-minute interview at the location, respondents will be rewarded with a gift package and the opportunity to be among those who help make Prague more legible for everyone.

Source: Czechdesign

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Help your city to navigate better

orientation

#### **General Information**

Granting scholarships to citizens from developing and specific countries listed below for studies at the Czech public higher education institutions is an important part of the foreign development cooperation of the Czech Republic and has a long tradition. From the late 1950s to the present day over 20 000 foreign nationals have completed their studies at Czech universities with a scholarship of the Government of the Czech Republic.

**Eligible Countries and Study Programmes**
Scholarships for the academic year 2024/2025 are offered only to the citizens of the following countries:

**Belarus,
Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Cambodia,
Ethiopia, 
Georgia, 
Moldova, 
Ukraine, 
and Zambia.**

The Government Scholarships are structured to cover the standard duration of study in the following ways:

**Follow-up Master Study Programs**
This includes a one-year preparatory course in the Czech language (integrated with field-specific training). These scholarships are offered to graduates of Bachelor's degree programs. Applicants can only enroll in study programs within select areas where instruction is conducted in Czech. Depending on the subject matter, applicants may be required to pass entrance examinations at the relevant university as a prerequisite for scholarship consideration.


**Follow-up Master and Doctoral Study Programs**
These scholarships are available for graduates of Bachelor or Master study programs, respectively, who enroll in study programs with instruction in the English language.

Each applicant is obliged to fill in an electronic application form at the latest by **30 September 2023**. The successful applicant starts studying in the academic year **2024/2025**.

Detailed information on the terms and conditions of scholarship awards is provided in the binding ["Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic"](https://www.msmt.cz/eu-and-international-affairs/government-scholarships-developing-countries-2), issued in Czech and English.



**Source:** Website of the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports




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Deadline for Government Scholarships Approaching

scholarships

Do you already have your **BIO bin**? You can throw away the peelings from your kitchen in the BIO bin instead of the regular bin, and the second chance for your waste is here! Plant waste will be turned into useful **compost**. You will reduce a huge amount of mixed urban waste and benefit the parks, orchards and gardens that improve our air.

#### **Information about the service**

Plant waste makes up to **20% of the contents of normal bins**. A fifth of the rubbish that could still be used to improve the air ends up in an incinerator... But it's a lousy fuel, and it burns badly. The nutrients go up the chimney without any benefit.

#### **About the bio waste bin**

Over 16,000 Prague households already deposit their vegetable waste in the brown BIObin (November 2021). Do you want to be one of them? If you're a property owner, just take a few minutes to fill in a few details in the [form](https://bio.praha.eu/formular/) (unfortunately only in Czech for now) and submit. Members of owners' associations, condominiums, etc. need to agree first. As a regular tenant, you can ask the building owner or someone acting for the owner to order a BIO bin for your building. In addition, a BIObin can reduce your waste removal charges!

#### **What will a BIO bin cost me?**

There is **no charge** for providing a BIO bin and arranging regular collections from 2022.

If the BIO bin will be placed in a public place and/or used by six or more households, it must have a lock on the lid. The container with a lock and two keys is also supplied free of charge to the owner of the premises by the collection company.

Costs may be incurred with the service if more keys are ordered. 

Get more information about the BIO waste bin arrangement here: [https://bioodpad.praha.eu/](https://bioodpad.praha.eu/)

And about the specifics of the BIO waste recycling rules [here](https://portalzp.praha.eu/file/3426189/HMP_012022_bioodpad_A4_AJ_nahled.pdf).

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Separate BIO waste with free of charge bins for vegetation

BIO waste

The Czech government has presented plans for an initiative aimed at facilitating the **voluntary return of refugees to Ukraine**. The plan, which is outlined in the draft sixth amendment to the “lex Ukraine” law, will see the Czech government providing **assistance and partial coverage of associated costs** for those opting to return. 

This move comes as the country seeks to address the recently increasing demand from refugees wishing to return to their homeland. While acknowledging the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine, the Czech government perceives the provision of assistance to those opting for return as a progressive step.

The voluntary return program will involve the Czech Ministry of the Interior **arranging transportation** (paying for it) and providing **free guidance with regards to paperwork**. 

Eligibility for the program extends to **asylum seekers, individuals with revoked or non-renewed residence permits, as well as those who were previously deported.**

While offering aid to those who wish to return, the government also recognizes the need to ensure that the <u>decision is fully informed</u> and <u>free from undue pressure</u>. This delicate balance between support and individual agency remains at the forefront of the Czech Republic's approach to managing the refugee situation.

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Repatriation travel costs assistance for Ukrainian refugees

Czech government set to cover the repatriation costs

The Program targets **highly skilled digital nomads**, proficient in the IT sector, as a response to the shifting landscape of global workforce mobility and freelancing, notably accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its main objective is to **streamline the relocation process** of these professionals to the Czech Republic.

Eligibility for the Program extends to citizens from specific countries, namely **Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, and Taiwan**. It caters specifically to two categories of digital nomads:

**Remote Employees**: This includes foreign employees who continue working for their foreign employer while stationed in the Czech Republic. The work is conducted remotely, facilitated by digital communication tools. The digital nomad remains an employee of their foreign company and does not establish a formal employment relationship with a Czech employer.

**Freelancers (Self-Employed)**: Foreign individuals who possess or plan to acquire a Czech Trade License fall under this category. They engage in self-employment while being a part of the Program.

The Program accommodates **immediate family members** of the digital nomads, such as spouses, registered partners, and children. These family members can apply for residence permits simultaneously.

Enlisted digital nomads gain several advantages under the Program:

1. _Visa/Residence Application_: They can submit their long-term visa or residence permit applications at Czech Republic embassies/consulates abroad. This privilege extends to their immediate family members as well.

2. _Application Processing_: The processing of their visa or residence permit applications is expedited, with a commitment to review within 45 days from submission.


However, it's crucial to note that participation in the Program is **not guaranteed by law**. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for evaluating applications. Interested individuals must send their applications to the designated email address, _**digitalnomad@mpo.cz**_.

[More information](https://www.mpo.cz/en/foreign-trade/economic-migration/digital-nomad-program--275799/) and forms.

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Czech Republic Launches New Government Program – Digital Nomad

digital nomad program

Prague's dedication to sustainable urban development is evident in its strategic planning and policies, which encompass various aspects of sustainability. **Energy efficiency** stands as a crucial focus area, with the city implementing measures to reduce energy consumption and minimize its carbon footprint. Through investments in green technologies such as solar panels and efficient heating systems, Prague has made significant progress in adopting renewable energy sources and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.

In addition to energy efficiency, Prague has also prioritized **effective waste management** and recycling programs. The city has implemented comprehensive waste management systems that encourage citizens to separate and recycle their waste responsibly. By doing so, Prague has not only reduced the amount of waste destined for landfills but has also fostered a culture of environmental responsibility among its residents.

Prague's commitment to **sustainable transportation** is evident in its efforts to enhance public transportation systems and promote eco-friendly mobility options. The city boasts a well-developed tram network, extensive bus routes, and a connected metro system, all of which contribute to reducing private car usage. These sustainable transportation initiatives have not only alleviated traffic congestion but have also mitigated air pollution, making Prague a more livable and environmentally friendly city.

One of the defining features of Prague is its abundant **green spaces**, which play a crucial role in the city's sustainability efforts. Parks, gardens, and urban forests are carefully maintained, providing residents with ample opportunities to connect with nature. These green spaces not only enhance the well-being of citizens but also support biodiversity and act as vital habitats for various plant and animal species.

Prague's ranking as the 10th most sustainable city in Europe underscores its commitment to creating a greener and more livable urban environment. The city's relentless pursuit of sustainability serves as an inspiration to other cities striving to implement environmentally conscious practices. As Prague continues to prioritize sustainability in the years to come, it is poised to further enhance its reputation as a model sustainable city, leading the way towards a more sustainable future for all.

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Prague ranks as the 10th most sustainable city in Europe

#### _**A) Social security**_

•	The minimum advances (social security) for 2023 are **CZK 2,944 per month** for the self-employed (if it is your main activity). The advances are changing slightly every year. For the Social Insurance you will be assigned a special number. In the first year of the Trade Licence, everyone starts off by paying the minimum social security contribution. The amount for the next year is calculated according to the business profit in the previous tax year.

•	If the business based on the Trade Licence is your **secondary activity** (possible only if you have other employment and earning more than minimum wage), you do not have to pay any advance payments for the first year. And if your annual income does not exceed the so-called decisive amount (for 2023 it is CZK 96,777), you do not have to pay any advance payments for social insurance next year as well.
•	Also, consider if you want to pay **“sickness insurance”**. It’s not your legal duty. If you want to pay it then the sickness insurance is paid in the amount of 2.1% of the monthly assessment base. The minimum amount is CZK 168 (for 2023) and it is also transferred to the Social Security Office (=OSSZ) account. Sickness insurance makes you eligible for sickness benefits and leave, and for the maternity leave. The sickness insurance starts to be paid only much later after an entrepreneur falls ill (usually even several weeks later), so it rather really covers serious illnesses and many entrepreneurs choose to pay a commercial insurance or put some money aside.
•	For the sake of possible future maternity leave it is very important to start paying the sickness insurance long enough in advance (the whole pregnancy and even sooner) and it definitely pays-off. Precise numbers are to be derived from the income and are worth consulting with specialised social workers.

#### _**B) Health insurance**_

•	The amount paid in contributions depends on your profit (it amounts to about 2.7% of profit), but the minimum is **CZK 2,722 per month** (for 2023). In the first year of their trade licence, everyone starts with the minimum health care contribution.
•	The health insurance company will let you know their account number. You will be sending advance payments for health insurance. The identification number is usually the Birth Number (=rodné číslo, r.č.) which is used as the Variable Symbol. As a foreigner, please ask for the variable symbol.
•	In case you are in a Commercial health insurance system (non-EU), you don’t have to pay monthly advance payments, because you are already prepaying an insurance fee. Having a trade licence is unrelated to Commercial health insurance.

#### _**Flat-rate tax**_

•	**Registration for the Flax-rate tax was possible only until the 10th of January 2023.**
•	Flat-rate tax is a monthly payment made for Self-employed with an annual income of **up to two million crowns**. The flat-rate tax consists of income tax, health insurance and social insurance minimum contribution. The **monthly payment** for the year 2023 is **CZK 6,208**. No tax deductions or tax allowances can be asked.

#### _**!! IMPORTANT !!**_

Once a year, you are obliged to do a **Tax Return for the Self-Employed** and also submit the **Summary of Income and Expenses** to both the social security office and your health insurance office. The deadline is 2nd May. All self-employed persons (except those with flat-rate tax) are obliged to fill in and submit the summary, even those for which there is no minimum assessment base. Please ask your tax advisor for these statements along with Tax Return.

#### _**What if Self-Employment is Only My Secondary Activity?**_

Self-employment can also work as a secondary income, therefore you can have a full time job as well. This is possible only if you have other employment and** earn more than minimum wage**. No matter if you want to have your trade licence as your main or extra income, you still need to visit the Trade Licence Register to get your IČO (Identification Number) and then inform the Financial Administration Office, Social Security Administration Office and Health Insurance Company (see steps [here](https://expat.praha.eu/news/article/becoming-self-employed)).
If the earnings from your trade licence are your secondary income, you do not have to pay any advances in the first year of your business. **Monthly payments will become compulsory for you once the profit of your business exceeds CZK 96,777 per calendar year (2023)**. Even if your business turnover was zero, you are obliged to send a report to the Social Security and Health Insurance Company offices after the end of the year. This can be done by your accountant and included in the annual tax declaration. It is recommended to hire an accountant to help you fill in the forms. Based on the reports and your real income, you might pay some extra premiums to health insurance/social security offices at once.


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Regular payments for trade licence owners

Regular payments for Trade licence owners

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Expat Movie Night: Women Behind the Wheel

expat screening

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Expat Workshop: Conflict management

conflict management

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Expat workshop: Buying property in the CZ

Expat workshop: Buying property

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Expat Workshop: Career Сheck-up

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Maker Faire Festival

Maker Faire Festival: Prague

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Prague Meets Vienna

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Expat Workshop: Elevator Pitch

elevator pitch

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