The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bogotá is the Czech government’s principal diplomatic mission in Colombia and several other Latin American and Caribbean countries. It manages bilateral relations, consular affairs, economic diplomacy, cultural cooperation, education, human rights engagement, humanitarian assistance, and selected development cooperation grants.
Introduction
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bogotá represents Czechia’s political, economic, cultural, and consular interests in Colombia while maintaining diplomatic accreditation to several neighbouring and Caribbean countries.
The embassy operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. It connects Czech public institutions, businesses, universities, cultural organizations, development actors, and citizens with partners across its countries of accreditation.
In addition to diplomatic and consular work, the embassy periodically administers small-scale development cooperation projects for eligible local organizations.
History and Background
Diplomatic relations between Czechoslovakia and Colombia developed gradually after the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918.
Colombia established an honorary consulate in Prague in 1923, although it was later closed. Formal diplomatic relations at the legation level are generally dated to April 17, 1934, when approval was granted to the first Colombian envoy to Prague.
The first Czechoslovak chargé d’affaires was accredited in Bogotá in June 1935, and a resident Czechoslovak diplomatic office was established in the Colombian capital on June 15, 1937.
Diplomatic relations were interrupted following the occupation of the Czech lands in 1939. They were restored in 1943 with the Czechoslovak government in exile, interrupted again after 1948, and renewed in 1956 at the consular level.
Relations were elevated to embassy level on December 14, 1968. Following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, Colombia recognized the independent Czech Republic and established diplomatic relations with it on January 1, 1993.
The relationship has expanded beyond traditional diplomacy to include trade, development cooperation, education, culture, tourism, technology, humanitarian action, and political dialogue.
In July 2025, Colombia inaugurated an embassy in Prague, marking an important development in bilateral relations and creating a stronger institutional platform for cooperation between the two countries.
Mission and Purpose
The embassy’s purpose is to represent and protect the interests of the Czech Republic while promoting constructive relations with Colombia and the other countries within its accreditation.
Its principal responsibilities include:
- Maintaining diplomatic and political relations
- Representing Czech foreign policy priorities
- Protecting the interests of Czech citizens abroad
- Providing consular and visa services
- Promoting Czech exports, investment, and technology
- Supporting bilateral trade and business partnerships
- Encouraging educational and academic exchange
- Promoting Czech culture and national heritage
- Supporting human rights and democratic values
- Administering selected development cooperation activities
- Supporting humanitarian and emergency responses
- Communicating information about Czechia to local audiences
The embassy also serves as a contact point between governments, businesses, civil society organizations, universities, cultural institutions, and other stakeholders.
Countries Covered by the Embassy
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bogotá is accredited to:
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Venezuela
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
Its diplomatic and consular responsibilities may vary by country and type of service. Applicants seeking visas, consular support, or development funding should confirm the applicable territorial and program-specific rules before contacting the embassy.
Governance and Structure
The embassy is part of the Czech Republic’s global diplomatic network and functions under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Head of Mission is Ambassador Lenka Pokorná, who presented her credentials to Colombian President Gustavo Petro in October 2025. Her accreditation formally authorized her to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Colombia.
The embassy’s structure includes officials responsible for:
- Political affairs
- Consular services
- Cultural diplomacy
- Economic and commercial relations
- Development cooperation
- Human rights
- Administration
- Secretariat functions
- Regional country portfolios
The official structure lists a Deputy Head of Mission responsible for political, consular, and cultural affairs concerning Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica.
Another diplomatic portfolio covers political, consular, economic, cultural, and human rights affairs in Venezuela and the accredited Caribbean countries.
The Economic and Commercial Section coordinates trade promotion, commercial relations, and development cooperation. An administrative section and consular officers support the embassy’s operational and public-service responsibilities.
The CzechTrade regional office in Colombia works alongside the embassy to promote Czech companies, technologies, exports, and commercial partnerships. mzv.gov.cz
Funding and Grants
The embassy is not a private foundation or permanent open-call grantmaker. However, it periodically manages development cooperation funding provided through the Czech Republic’s international development assistance framework.
These opportunities commonly take the form of small-scale local projects designed to support organizations responding to development challenges.
Calls may vary by year, eligible country, funding amount, thematic priorities, reporting requirements, and application deadline. Organizations should rely on the conditions published for the relevant funding cycle rather than assuming that rules remain unchanged.
Small-Scale Development Cooperation Projects
The embassy’s development cooperation calls are intended to support locally registered entities working to reduce poverty and advance sustainable development.
Potential applicants may include:
- Non-governmental organizations
- Civil society organizations
- Associations
- Community-based organizations
- Educational institutions
- Social service institutions
- Healthcare institutions
- Other legally registered local entities
The projects support the Czech Republic’s international development cooperation priorities and contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
Development Cooperation Project Funding for 2027
For the 2027 cycle, the embassy announced a development cooperation call for projects in Panama, Costa Rica, and accredited Caribbean countries.
The financial contribution available for each project ranges from CZK 250,000 to CZK 500,000.
The maximum amount includes a five-percent reserve for exchange-rate fluctuations. Under the published calculation:
- Maximum project contribution: CZK 476,190.48
- Exchange-rate reserve: CZK 23,809.52
- Maximum total amount: CZK 500,000
The exchange-rate reserve may only be used to cover properly justified currency fluctuations.
Support costs, including project management salaries, administrative per diems, insurance, vaccination, translation, banking, and publicity expenses, must not exceed eight percent of the Czech contribution.
Grant funding cannot cover the implementing organization’s regular overhead expenses, such as:
- Office rent
- Utilities
- Internet expenses
- Routine accounting services
- Other general operational costs unrelated to direct project delivery
Selected projects are expected to run between March and October 2027, with all activities completed by October 31, 2027.
Who Can Apply for Development Funding?
Eligibility depends on the requirements of each call.
For the 2027 development cooperation call covering Panama, Costa Rica, and accredited Caribbean countries, applicants must be legally registered in the country where the proposed project will be implemented.
Eligible entities may include NGOs, associations, educational institutions, healthcare providers, social institutions, and other registered local organizations.
Applicants must submit:
- A completed official application form
- Proof of the organization’s legal registration
- Evidence that the legal representative is authorized to act on behalf of the organization
- A project budget presented in Czech koruna and U.S. dollars
- Any additional documentation specified in the call
Applications must be prepared in English and submitted using the prescribed form.
Development Cooperation Priorities
Development priorities may differ between countries and annual calls. Previous cooperation calls managed by the embassy have addressed areas such as:
- Economic development
- Productive and commercial capacity
- Alternative livelihoods
- Social development
- Access to water and electricity
- Education
- Healthcare and social services
- Food security and food sovereignty
- Environmental protection
- Natural disaster prevention
- Democracy and human rights
- Social transformation
- Gender equality
- Conflict prevention
- Poverty reduction
- Sustainable Development Goals
Applicants should align their proposals with the exact themes and geographic requirements stated in the current call.
How Development Grants Are Funded and Managed
Development cooperation projects are financed through the Czech Republic’s public international development cooperation system.
The embassy facilitates the local process by:
- Publishing funding calls
- Receiving project applications
- Reviewing applicant eligibility
- Assessing the relevance and feasibility of proposals
- Coordinating project selection
- Communicating with selected organizations
- Monitoring project implementation
- Reviewing technical and financial reports
Selected organizations must maintain accurate administrative, financial, and program records.
Grant recipients are expected to comply strictly with the approved:
- Project activities
- Implementation schedule
- Budget structure
- Reporting requirements
- Communication procedures
- Funding conditions
Only selected applicants may be contacted following the evaluation process.
Major Programs and Activities
Political and Bilateral Relations
The embassy maintains official communication between Czechia and the governments of its accredited countries.
Its political work includes diplomatic meetings, policy dialogue, official visits, regional cooperation, and engagement on international issues.
The embassy also supports bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, education, culture, development, security, and multilateral relations.
Consular and Visa Services
The Consular Section provides services to Czech citizens and eligible foreign applicants.
Its work may include:
- Passport and travel-document services
- Assistance to Czech citizens in emergencies
- Verification and legalization services
- Civil registry matters
- Visa and residence application processing
- Schengen travel information
- Employee Card applications
- Information concerning entry and residence in Czechia
Consular services are generally provided by appointment. Applicants should confirm the correct territorial jurisdiction, documentation requirements, and appointment procedures before visiting.
Economic and Commercial Diplomacy
The embassy promotes commercial relations between Czechia and Colombia, as well as other countries within its mandate.
The Economic and Commercial Section supports:
- Czech exporters seeking opportunities in regional markets
- Local businesses interested in Czech technologies and products
- Trade missions and business delegations
- Participation in commercial fairs and conferences
- Institutional and business partnerships
- Information about the Czech economy and regulatory environment
- Investment and technology cooperation
CzechTrade’s regional office complements this work by helping Czech businesses enter and develop markets in Colombia and the surrounding region.
Education and Academic Cooperation
The embassy shares information about educational opportunities in Czechia, including university study, scholarships, academic mobility, and alumni engagement.
It also supports connections between Czech and regional universities, students, academics, and research institutions.
Activities have included the promotion of Study in Czechia events and alumni initiatives for former international students of Czech universities.
Culture and Public Diplomacy
Cultural diplomacy is an important part of the embassy’s outreach.
The embassy organizes and supports activities related to:
- Czech literature
- Film and visual arts
- Music
- Cultural heritage
- National commemorations
- Language and education
- Historical personalities
- Intercultural dialogue
For example, the embassy collaborated with the Austrian Embassy, Goethe-Institut Colombia, and other partners on events marking the centenary of Franz Kafka’s death.
Human Rights and Democratic Values
The embassy promotes Czech foreign policy priorities concerning democracy, human rights, civil society, and the rule of law.
Its activities may include sharing information about international human rights initiatives, communicating relevant funding or recognition opportunities, and engaging with public institutions and civil society organizations.
Humanitarian Assistance and Emergency Cooperation
The embassy also supports communication and coordination related to Czech humanitarian assistance.
In 2026, Czechia joined an international response to an earthquake in Venezuela through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The response illustrates the mission’s role in regional diplomatic coordination during emergencies.
Impact and Examples of Work Supported
The embassy’s impact extends across diplomatic, social, cultural, commercial, educational, and humanitarian fields.
Examples include:
- Supporting local development projects through Czech international cooperation funding
- Promoting partnerships between Czech and regional businesses
- Connecting universities, students, and researchers
- Facilitating cultural events and public diplomacy
- Assisting Czech citizens in emergencies
- Supporting official visits and bilateral agreements
- Promoting Czech technologies in regional markets
- Contributing to humanitarian responses
- Encouraging collaboration on human rights and democratic governance
- Strengthening direct institutional relations between Czechia and Colombia
The inauguration of the Colombian Embassy in Prague in 2025 strengthened the bilateral diplomatic presence and created new opportunities for political, economic, educational, and cultural engagement.
Development cooperation projects have supported locally registered organizations addressing poverty and sustainable development challenges. These initiatives allow local institutions to design practical responses while receiving financial support through Czech development cooperation.
How to Apply for Embassy Funding
Organizations interested in embassy-managed development funding should follow these steps:
- Visit the embassy’s official website and open the Business and Economy or Development Cooperation section.
- Confirm that the call is open and that the organization’s country is eligible.
- Review the thematic priorities, funding range, eligible costs, and implementation period.
- Download and complete the official application form.
- Prepare the project proposal in the required language.
- Provide proof of the organization’s legal registration.
- Include proof that the legal representative is authorized to act for the organization.
- Prepare the budget in the currencies required by the call.
- Sign and scan the completed application.
- Submit the application to the designated embassy email before the deadline.
Application Tips and Common Mistakes
- Confirm geographic eligibility before preparing a proposal.
- Use only the official application form attached to the relevant call.
- Submit the proposal in the required language.
- Provide valid registration documents.
- Include authorization for the organization’s legal representative.
- Respect limits on support and administrative costs.
- Do not include prohibited overhead expenses.
- Present amounts in all currencies required by the call.
- Ensure activities can be completed within the stated implementation period.
- Maintain a clear connection between the project, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
- Submit the signed application before the deadline.
- Do not rely on requirements from previous funding rounds because conditions may change.
Conclusion
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bogotá is a regional diplomatic mission that advances Czech political, commercial, cultural, educational, consular, and development interests across Colombia and several other Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Through diplomatic engagement, public services, economic promotion, cultural programs, humanitarian coordination, and small-scale development cooperation funding, the embassy connects Czechia with governments, businesses, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and communities throughout the region.
For more information, visit here.
