Repository
A Million Stories
Country: Denmark (Roskilde), Greece, Sweden, Germany
Provided by: IHF
Category: Social integration, Other (Storytelling)
Description:
A Million Stories is a transnational initiative that empowers refugees to share their life experiences before and after arriving in Europe through storytelling, audiobooks, and films. Coordinated by Roskilde Kommune, the project brought together libraries across Denmark, Greece, Sweden, and Germany, turning them into active hubs where refugees could record their personal narratives and engage with supportive communities. The initiative allowed participants to recount their journeys in their own words, using whichever media they preferred – audio, video, images, or text – with translation tools to ensure accessibility across languages. Alongside the creation of stories, the project organized seminars, workshops, and volunteer training sessions, strengthening both storytelling skills and intercultural understanding between refugees and host communities.
Innovative Elements:
• Combining traditional library spaces with modern digital technology to enable refugees to create and share their stories
• Use of multimedia formats – audio, video, images, and text – allowing participants to communicate in the medium they feel most comfortable with
• Integration of translation tools to overcome language barriers and make stories widely accessible
• Structured training and workshops for both volunteers and participants, building storytelling skills and fostering social inclusion
• Creation of a centralized, publicly accessible online platform to share refugee narratives with a broader audience, promoting empathy and cultural understanding
Transferability:
The methodology of A Million Stories is highly adaptable to other cities, regions, or countries seeking to give refugees a voice while fostering social integration. The combination of library infrastr
A scuola con il mondo (To School with the World)
Country: Italy / Rome
Provided by: EPIC\ UdA
Category: Education, Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
A scuola con il mondo was a short-term intercultural project carried out in Rome between February and May 2016 by Programma Integra. It involved four classes of primary school students and used artistic and theatrical workshops to promote inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and mutual understanding. The initiative provided a creative, low-language-barrier environment where refugee and migrant children could interact with their peers through performance-based activities. By integrating art and education, the project sought to foster empathy, reduce prejudice, and strengthen the social fabric within the school setting.
Innovative Elements:
The initiative innovatively placed artistic expression at the centre of school-based integration, making use of theatre and creative workshops as tools for communication beyond linguistic barriers. By embedding refugee and migrant experiences into classroom activities, it combined formal education with participatory art, encouraging pupils to engage with diversity from an early age in an accessible and playful way.
Transferability:
This approach can be easily adapted to schools in other regions or countries facing challenges of multicultural integration. Its emphasis on low-barrier artistic methods, coupled with collaboration be
Abrazo Cultural
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Social integration, Other (Cultural exchange)
Description:
Abrazo Cultural is a social enterprise in Barcelona that promotes intercultural exchange through classes and workshops taught by migrants and refugees. Activities include language courses, dance, cooking, storytelling, and art sessions that showcase the knowledge and talents of newcomers. The programme enhances the visibility, confidence, and employment opportunities of migrant instructors while fostering empathy and cultural awareness among local participants.
Innovative Elements:
Migrants are the protagonists and teachers of the initiative;Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing as a tool for empowerment;Uses cultural activities to break down stereotypes and build bridges;Hybrid model: in-person and online engagement.
Transferability:
Abrazo Cultural’s format can be easily replicated by community centers, schools, or NGOs. Its low-cost, high-impact structure allows for broad cultural participation and social inclusion in any urban
ACCEM – Integrated Social and Work Integration Programs for Refugees and Vulnerable People
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Digital skills, Soft skills
Description:
ACCEM develops personalised programmes combining employability assessments, basic and professional training, cross-cutting skills development, social support and company liaison. In regional projects (e.g. in Castilla y León), these pathways include pre-employment modules and small groups of 12–16 participants, as well as support for individuals at risk of exclusion, including asylum seekers, beneficiaries of international or temporary protection, and migrants. At a national level, ACCEM collaborates with administrations and companies to remove barriers to hiring refugees, raise employer awareness, and support the recognition of qualifications.
Innovative Elements:
ACCEM offers truly personalised itineraries that combine social, educational and integration components, as well as intensive case-by-case work.ACCEM integrates ICT modules and basic digital skills to improve access to public services and opportunities.Close collaboration with businesses and raising awareness among local and national producers of the potential of refugee talent.A scalable modular model with components that can be activated according to need, such as language support, qualifications, psychological support and mentoring.
Transferability:
ACCEM's diagnostic tools and stage-based structure (social → pre-employment → employment) are fully aligned with the VOICE methodological framework, and this approach can be adopted in partner co
Art Bridges for Hospitality
Country: Italy, Montesilvano (Province of Pescara), Abruzzo
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration, Other (Arts and cultural participation)
Description:
Art Bridges for Hospitality was a collaborative art initiative held in Montesilvano (Province of Pescara, Abruzzo) from 23 to 29 September 2024. The project brought together young individuals from the SAI reception centres in Montesilvano and 13 Palestinian volunteers from Tel Aviv, who co-created a mural under the guidance of artist Piera Mattioli. The initiative was proposed and coordinated by Piera Mattioli together with the Palestinian influencer home_awe, who also collaborated closely with the participants and organisers. The mural served as a symbol of intercultural dialogue, diversity, hope, and community cohesion, giving visibility to the voices of refugees and promoting integration through artistic expression.
Innovative Elements:
Embedding an inclusion-focused art project (Art Bridges for Hospitality), enhancing its social dimension through intercultural expressionUtilising participatory mural-making as a tool for fostering dialogue and mutual understanding between local residents and newcomers—all through Actively involving both newcomers (SAI centre users) and international volunteers in co-creating a public artwork, thus literally giving voice and visibility to refugeesPartnership among the Municipality of Montesilvano, artist Piera Mattioli, the activist home_awe, and the SAI Reception and Integration System, ensuring both administrative backing and creative direction
Transferability:
Art Bridges for Hospitality demonstrates how collaborative art projects can foster social inclusion, community engagement, and intercultural dialogue. Its approach is adaptable to other municipalities
Cantieri Meticci – Refugee Theatre Company
Country: Italy - Bologna (Metropolitan City of Bologna), Emilia-Romagna
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
Cantieri Meticci is a Bologna-based theatre collective founded in 2014 by director Pietro Floridia. The initiative involves refugees, migrants, and local citizens in collaborative theatre-making as a means of storytelling, intercultural dialogue, and social inclusion. Operating within Bologna’s cultural ecosystem, the collective runs large-scale workshops, sometimes with up to 100 participants, and produces performances that explore issues of displacement, identity, and coexistence. Through creative collaboration, Cantieri Meticci transforms theatre into a civic tool that fosters participation, reflection, and new forms of community building.
Innovative Elements:
The initiative innovates by combining artistic excellence with social inclusion practices, creating a space where refugees and migrants are not only beneficiaries but co-authors of cultural productions. Its projects often blend professional theatre with grassroots participation, supported by diverse European funding programmes. Cantieri Meticci also experiments with formats that integrate art, activism, and urban transformation, positioning theatre as both an artistic and civic practice.
Transferability:
This model can be adapted in other urban contexts where theatre and the performing arts intersect with migration and inclusion. Its reliance on collective creation, participatory workshops, and strong
Cash-for-Work programme for refugee teacher assistants
Country: Poland
Provided by: Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM)
Category: Education, Employment, Digital skills, Soft skills
Description:
The PCPM “Cash for Work” programme, launched in 2022, employs Ukrainian refugees as teaching assistants in Polish public schools. By early 2023, more than 850 assistants had been hired in 16 cities, supporting approximately 17,000 Ukrainian pupils. Their presence bridges language and cultural gaps, offering psychosocial support for children experiencing trauma and easing communication between Polish teachers and refugee families. PCPM also established an Education and Creativity Center in Warsaw, where 220 children follow the Ukrainian curriculum with support from teachers, psychologists and health staff. Beyond education, PCPM placed around 350 refugees in municipal offices, libraries and cultural centres, providing both employment and opportunities for interaction with local communities.
Innovative Elements:
Use of a humanitarian “cash-for-work” mechanism adapted to integration needs.Dual benefit – job creation for refugees and improved educational support for children.Strong psychosocial component for traumatised minors.Expansion beyond schools into municipal services, increasing social contact.
Transferability:
The model can be replicated in contexts where refugee teachers and assistants can complement overstretched education systems. It requires cooperation between NGOs, schools and municipalities, and is s
CEAR – Training and integration programs(e.g., “Planeta Empleo” and Green Jobs/Lakook Social Kitchens courses)
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Soft skills, Other (Green skills, sustainability)
Description:
CEAR provides asylum seekers and refugees with reception, language learning, guidance and professional training. The “Planeta Empleo: Por un refugio sostenible” (Seville delegation) provides theoretical and practical training in renewable energy and gardening (330–340 hours), as well as integration support and internships in green businesses. Meanwhile, Fundación Naturgy projects train refugees as photovoltaic panel installers through personalised employability pathways. The Lakook social kitchen network creates inclusive catering jobs (15 kitchens in Spain, e.g. the Getafe centre) and promotes paid work experience and contact with the local community.
Innovative Elements:
CEAR is the link between the hospitality sector and emerging sectors (the green economy and social catering), which have a high demand for labour.CEAR offers personalised itineraries with employability assessments, training and company intermediation.A sustainable approach involving transferable green skills in line with the EU energy transition.The social enterprise model (Lakook) generates direct employment and on-the-job language learning.
Transferability:
The training modules (on renewable energy, urban gardening and collective cooking) can easily be incorporated into the VOICE programmes in Spain and other partner countries. CEAR provides materials an
Companies for Ukraine
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration
Description:
Empresas por Ucrania is a digital platform launched by Fundación CEOE to facilitate the integration of refugees from Ukraine in Spain. The platform offers three main modules: Information, which provides official and verified data on reception, healthcare, and active NGOs;Training, which offers free Spanish language courses and employment skills;Employment, which features job listings from over 450 Spanish companies with nearly 2,000 available positions. This platform is part of the Empresas que Ayudan program, initiated by Fundación CEOE to coordinate the solidarity initiatives of Spanish businesses.
Innovative Elements:
The initiative adopts an integrated approach by combining information, training, and employment opportunities within a single digital platform, thereby facilitating access to essential resources for integration. It fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors by engaging companies, institutions, and NGOs to provide comprehensive support to refugees. Additionally, the program has expanded territorially by opening training and employment guidance centers in several Spanish cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and Alicante.
Transferability:
The initiative is highly transferable due to its modular and digital structure. It can be adapted to other national or regional contexts by collaborating with local authorities, businesses, and NGOs t
Enter to Transform – Transformational Entrepreneurship Hubs for Recognized Refugee Re-starters
Country: Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands
Provided by: IHF
Category: Education, Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
Enter to Transform (2020–2023) was an Interreg North-West Europe initiative that established entrepreneurship hubs to support recognized refugees with prior entrepreneurial experience. The project aimed to unlock refugees’ entrepreneurial potential by providing mentoring, tailored business coaching, networking opportunities, and tools to adapt their skills to the host country’s economy. Through this structured support, the hubs guided participants in developing viable business plans and creating registered businesses, fostering both individual empowerment and local economic integration.
Innovative Elements:
• Establishment of dedicated entrepreneurship hubs as safe and supportive spaces tailored to refugees’ needs
• Targeted focus on “re-starters” — refugees with entrepreneurial experience — recognising their skills and enabling adaptation to new economic contexts
• Combination of coaching, mentoring, and peer-to-peer learning to address both technical and soft skills
• Strong transnational collaboration, with comparative sectoral analysis and cross-country exchange to inform best practices
Transferability:
The Enter to Transform model offers a replicable blueprint for supporting refugee entrepreneurship in other regions. By creating local hubs that combine business coaching with cultural adaptation and
Español sin Fronteras (Spanish Without Borders)
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
Español sin Fronteras is a volunteer-led Spanish language program developed by Lana Alman in collaboration with the Bet Shalom community in Barcelona. The program aims to facilitate the integration of Ukrainian refugees by providing engaging, culturally relevant language instruction. Classes are held twice a week and incorporate interactive methods such as role-playing, games, and community storytelling, creating a welcoming environment for learners of all ages and backgrounds.
Innovative Elements:
The program embraces a community-centric learning approach by inviting local community members to share their personal stories and traditions, fostering mutual understanding and connection. It goes beyond traditional language instruction with a holistic approach that integrates cultural immersion through activities such as watching Spanish-language films, translating songs, and practicing real-life scenarios like grocery shopping and doctor visits. Additionally, the program creates an inclusive environment that encourages students to feel safe making mistakes and asking questions, thereby promoting confidence and active participation.
Transferability:
Español sin Fronteras is highly adaptable to other contexts. Its community-based, volunteer-driven model can be replicated in various regions to support refugees and migrants, fostering integration th
Fontecchio Residency Programme
Country: Italy, Fontecchio (Province of L’Aquila), Abruzzo
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Employment, Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
The Fontecchio Residency Programme, coordinated by MAXXI L’Aquila in collaboration with the Municipality of Fontecchio and Fondazione Imago Mundi, hosted Ukrainian artists in the medieval hamlet of Fontecchio (L’Aquila, Abruzzo) from September 2022 to March 2023. The residencies supported artistic production, intercultural exchange, and local regeneration. The programme provided displaced artists (Ukrainian nationals affected by war) with a safe environment to create, engage with the local community, and reflect on themes such as resilience, destruction, and cultural identity.
Innovative Elements:
Residency located in a rural, post-seismic village, using art as a catalyst for social and cultural revivalEngagement with artists who carry lived experiences of displacement, adding depth to the residency’s sociopolitical resonanceCreation of site-specific works that dialogue with both the landscape of Fontecchio and the broader experience of restoration and hopeCollaborative framework involving national institutions (MAXXI), local governance, and cultural foundations
Transferability:
This model is replicable in other rural or peripheral areas facing post-crisis recovery or demographic decline. Institutions and local authorities can adapt it to host refugee or displaced artists to:
Fundación Cibervoluntarios
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Digital skills
Description:
Fundación Cibervoluntarios is a Spanish NGO specializing in civic technology and digital inclusion. Renowned for its long-standing commitment to digital empowerment—over 500 weekly training sessions delivered by more than 4,500 “citizen-volunteers” in partnership with local institutions—the foundation has explicitly included migrants and refugees within its scope.In Andalusia alone, more than 4,600 people gained digital competence through 1,300 free training activities in 2024.Although their core programs serve vulnerable groups broadly, this network of volunteers and partners (including municipalities, educational centers, and NGOs) actively adapts digital training to meet the needs of migrants, which includes Ukrainian refugees. With tailored workshops covering basic internet navigation, e-banking, digital communication tools, and online civic engagement, Cibervoluntarios ensures practical and accessible learning, often delivered in partnership with other social organizations. Their content is adjusted to linguistic and cultural diversity, making it highly relevant for Ukrainian participants.
Innovative Elements:
Leveraging a nationwide cyber-volunteer network exceeding 4,500 individuals, the foundation develops grassroots, user-centered digital empowerment programs. It tailors training to diverse needs—addressing employability, safe internet use, digital entrepreneurship, and civic participation—as part of its social innovation approach. Integration of cybersecurity and privacy modules also supports migrant and refugee safety.
Transferability:
The initiative’s flexible methodology, modular contents, and proven volunteer-based delivery model enable replication across different regions and vulnerable communities. Partner entities within the n
Imagine Ukraine – BOZAR
Country: Belgium (Brussels-Capital Region)
Provided by: IHF
Category: Social integration, Other (International solidarity and cultural exchange)
Description:
Imagine Ukraine is a cultural programme launched by BOZAR in 2022 to provide a platform for Ukrainian artists, intellectuals, and cultural practitioners during the ongoing war. The initiative combines exhibitions, performances, lectures, and debates to highlight Ukrainian culture, foster international solidarity, and maintain cultural continuity despite displacement and crisis. It also encourages dialogue between Ukrainian voices and European audiences, reinforcing the role of the arts in supporting resilience, intercultural exchange, and shared democratic values.
Innovative Elements:
• Use of a major European cultural institution as a solidarity hub for Ukraine
• Combination of artistic showcases, intellectual debates, and participatory events to amplify diverse Ukrainian perspectives
• Digital platform (Ensembles) to expand access to Ukrainian art and thought beyond Brussels
• Direct response to a geopolitical crisis by embedding culture in international solidarity efforts
Transferability:
The Imagine Ukraine model demonstrates how cultural institutions can respond rapidly to crises by mobilising their resources, networks, and public platforms. It is transferable to other contexts where
Imagining and Designing a Mural with Children
Country: Italy, Matera (Basilicata)
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration, Soft skills, Other (Arts and cultural participation)
Description:
“Imagining and Designing a Mural with Children” was a participatory art project implemented at Il Becco Giallo, an after-school program in Matera serving primarily children from migrant and low-income families. The project was led and coordinated by Piera Mattioli, who guided the children through workshops focused on specific themes, helping them imagine, design, and paint a collaborative mural. Using co-creation and collaborative painting methodologies, the initiative fostered creativity, teamwork, and self-expression, while giving children the opportunity to see their ideas reflected in a shared public artwork. The project also strengthened social inclusion and intercultural dialogue, encouraging children from diverse backgrounds to collaborate and learn from each other.
Innovative Elements:
• Participatory methodology that engages children in the full process of mural creation, from conceptualisation to painting
• Focus on social inclusion, giving visibility and agency to children from migrant and low-income families
• Co-creation as a tool for developing creativity, teamwork, and self-expression
• Integration of educational themes into artistic practice, bridging art and social learning
Transferability:
The methodology of co-creating murals with children can be applied in other after-school programs, schools, or community centres. By combining artistic guidance with participatory design, it is adapta
Immediate inclusion of ukrainian refugees into the polish labour market
Country: Poland
Provided by: Ministry of Family and Social Policy (Government o
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Digital skills, Soft skills
Description:
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, in March 2022 Poland adopted a special law granting refugees under temporary protection the right to work legally without additional permits. This legal change, combined with rapid deployment of support tools, enabled immediate labour market access for hundreds of thousands of people. In July 2022, the government launched PracawPolsce.gov.pl, a multilingual portal (Polish, Ukrainian, English) where refugees can register CVs and access over 250,000 job offers. Additional measures include the activation programme “Together We Can Do More”, financing organisations that help refugees find work or start businesses, and opening access to training, language courses, and business grants through labour offices. The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) prepared Ukrainian-language e-learning materials for aspiring entrepreneurs. As a result, Poland recorded the highest refugee employment rate among OECD countries (65% in 2023).
Innovative Elements:
Simplified and immediate access to the labour market, removing bureaucratic delays.National multilingual digital job portal linking refugees with employers.Public funding for NGOs and businesses assisting refugees in employment.Integration of legal, training and entrepreneurial support in one policy package.
Transferability:
This model demonstrates how swift legislative change, combined with digital tools and financial incentives, can maximise refugees’ self-reliance. Replicable in other EU countries, it requires strong p
Integra Project – University Education for Refugees
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration
Description:
Conexus is a business incubation programme developed by SINGA Barcelona that supports migrant and refugee entrepreneurs. It runs for 5 to 6 months and includes group workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and training in legal topics, communication, business strategy, branding, and financing. Participants are guided from idea to launch, culminating in a pitch event where they present their projects to a panel of professionals and potential investors. The programme fosters autonomy, self-confidence, and professional visibility.
Innovative Elements:
Includes pre-degree cultural and language bridgingIncorporates internships for early professional experiencePromotes social entrepreneurship among refugee students
Transferability:
This modular and mentorship-based model is adaptable to urban contexts in other countries with diverse migrant populations. It requires relatively low-cost infrastructure but creates high-impact outco
Integration Centers for Foreigners (ICF)
Country: Poland
Provided by: ADRA Poland, with support from CARE International
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Digital skills, Soft skills
Description:
ADRA Poland operates a growing network of Integration Centers for Foreigners (ICF) to support Ukrainian refugees with comprehensive, one-stop assistance. For instance, a new center opened in late 2022 in Zielona Góra, joining existing hubs in Lublin, Warsaw, and Bydgoszcz. Each center concentrates expert services to help refugees stabilise their lives and integrate into Polish society.Key services include:Language and education – free Polish language classes, with childcare provided to enable mothers’ participation.Psychosocial support – on-site psychologists and social workers help refugees cope with trauma and adaptation challenges.Employment and legal aid – career counselors and legal advisors assist with CV preparation, job search, labour law, and residency paperwork.Basic needs assistance – distribution of food and hygiene packages and guidance on accessing health and social services.By combining these services under one roof, the ICFs create safe and accessible spaces where refugees feel supported and empowered. The model directly promotes self-reliance, with the goal of helping beneficiaries “become independent” through work and participation in society. With ongoing demand, ADRA Poland and CARE plan to expand the network further.
Innovative Elements:
Multi-service, one-stop integration model addressing both immediate and long-term needs.Inclusion of childcare, ensuring refugee women can attend training.Strong psychosocial support alongside employment and legal services.Geographic coverage beyond major cities, reaching smaller communities like Zielona Góra.
Transferability:
The ICF model is highly replicable in other regions. It requires NGO coordination, sustainable funding, and cooperation with municipalities to ensure access to both basic and advanced integration serv
Intercultural School Assistants – Supporting Refugee Pupils and Families
Country: Poland
Provided by: Save the Children, Lower Silesia education authori
Category: Education, Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
In 2023-2025, intercultural assistants were deployed in at least 25 schools in Lower Silesia with high numbers of Ukrainian pupils. These assistants, bilingual and culturally competent, support approximately 1,200 children in adapting academically and socially. They provide Polish language help, psychosocial support, and act as liaisons between parents and schools. Over 500 teachers benefit from training in inclusive methods, while at least 500 families receive guidance on enrollment, communication and legal requirements. The programme also fosters integration through multicultural school events, arts and sports activities.
Innovative Elements:
Classroom-based support that combines education and psychosocial care.Capacity-building for teachers in refugee-inclusive pedagogy.Family engagement, strengthening parent–school communication.
Transferability:
Easily replicable in other school systems with large refugee intakes. Requires collaboration between NGOs, local authorities, and education staff.
Izan Harrera
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Social integration
Description:
Izan Harrera is a mentorship program in Gipuzkoa, pairing local volunteers with refugees and asylum seekers. It offers psychosocial support, language assistance, employment guidance, housing aid, and fosters community relationships.
Innovative Elements:
Structured 1:1 mentor-mentee relationships;Regular in-person and group sessions;Blend of emotional, language, and practical support.
Transferability:
The model can be replicated in other regions with increasing migrant flows. Its holistic mentorship structure is adaptable to local contexts.
LinkedIn Refugee Resource Center
Country: Global
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration
Description:
The LinkedIn Refugee Resource Center is a global initiative that provides free resources to help refugees integrate into the labor market of their host countries. It supports both refugees’ seeking employment and employers by focusing on skills and experience rather than formal credentials. The initiative partners with nonprofit organizations to offer coaching, training, and mentoring to refugees, helping them build professional networks and find job opportunities.
Innovative Elements:
The LinkedIn Refugee Resource Center adopts a skills-based approach, emphasizing refugees’ actual skills and competencies to overcome barriers posed by formal work experience requirements or unrecognized qualifications. It leverages LinkedIn’s integrated professional network platform to connect refugees with potential employers, facilitating effective job matching and networking opportunities. Additionally, the initiative collaborates closely with nonprofit partners such as Talent Beyond Boundaries, Upwardly Global, and UNHCR to provide upskilling, training, and mentoring programs that further support refugees’ successful integration into the labor market.
Transferability:
This initiative is highly transferable and adaptable to local contexts due to its modular structure and use of a global platform like LinkedIn. It can be implemented in various regions by partnering w
Migrant E-nclusion Resource Hub
Country: Europe, Africa, Asia
Provided by: IHF
Category: Social integration, Digital skills
Description:
The Migrant E-nclusion Resource Hub is an innovative digital platform developed by the International Organization for Migration to promote the social and economic inclusion of migrants and their communities through technology. The hub collects and shares tools, guidelines, case studies, and best practices from IOM programmes and partner organisations, providing migrants, civil society organisations, and policymakers with resources to enhance digital literacy, online engagement, and access to essential information. The initiative addresses barriers that migrants often face, such as limited digital skills, lack of connectivity, or difficulties navigating online services, while fostering opportunities for participation in local and international communities. By offering guidance, learning modules, and collaborative spaces, the hub supports both individual empowerment and organizational capacity-building for migrant integration.
Innovative Elements:
• Centralized digital repository of tools and best practices tailored for migrant inclusion across multiple countries
• Integration of diaspora engagement strategies with digital literacy initiatives, allowing migrants to connect with local and international communities
• Provision of modular resources that can be adapted to different social, cultural, and technological contexts, making the initiative flexible and widely applicable
• Focus on empowering migrants to actively use digital tools for education, work, civic participation, and social networking, bridging gaps between local populations and migrant communities
Transferability:
The hub’s methodology and resources are highly transferable across regions and contexts. Local NGOs, government agencies, educational institutions, and community-based organizations can adopt the tool
MIMOSA – Migrant’s Inclusion Model through Sport for All
Country: Italy (with European partners: Austria, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Romania)
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration, Soft skills, Other (sports for inclusion)
Description:
MIMOSA (Migrant’s Inclusion Model through Sport for All) is a project funded by the Directorate-General for Sport of the European Commission, led by UISP with partners across Italy and Europe. The initiative uses sport as a powerful tool for integration and social inclusion of migrant communities, refugees, Roma people, and women survivors of violence. It promotes both active participation in sports (such as football, cricket, baseball, touch rugby – often tied to migrant communities) and involvement in leadership and decision-making roles within sports organisations.The project operates on three levels: fostering networks among local authorities, between associations, and among scientific partners. By exchanging practices and developing optimal interventions, MIMOSA aims to design innovative models of inclusion that can be replicated across Europe.
Innovative Elements:
Uses sport – both mainstream and culturally specific disciplines – as a universal language for social inclusionPromotes not only migrant participation in sports but also leadership and governance roles within sports organisationsBuilds three interconnected networks (institutions, associations, research bodies) to ensure multidimensional collaborationFocuses on vulnerable groups beyond migrants (e.g., Roma communities, women victims of violence)
Transferability:
MIMOSA’s model is highly transferable, as it leverages sports – a globally accessible and adaptable medium – to foster integration. By creating replicable frameworks of collaboration between instituti
Molichrom Lab / Festival della Fotografia Nomade – Verso Casa
Country: Italy, Molise
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration, Soft skills, Other (Visual storytelling, arts and cultural participation)
Description:
Molichrom Lab / Verso Casa is a participatory visual storytelling project presented during the fourth edition of the Festival della Fotografia Nomade (FIAF K2 2024). The festival, held from 10 to 14 January 2025, focuses on forced migrations caused by conflicts and the human impact of war. Molichrom Lab, in collaboration with local photographic associations and the association Tèkne, highlights the stories and faces of refugees who have found shelter in Molise. The initiative transforms the abstract concept of migration into concrete narratives of resilience and hope, fostering social inclusion, cultural participation, and youth engagement. Through workshops, photowalks, and exhibitions, refugees and local youth actively contribute to creating visual narratives that raise awareness, encourage empathy, and promote intercultural dialogue.
Innovative Elements:
• Uses photography and visual storytelling to make the experiences of refugees tangible and relatable
• Collaboration with multiple local photographic associations and cultural actors to strengthen community engagement and participation
• Participatory workshops, photowalks, and exhibitions that empower refugees and youth to co-create visual narratives
• Integrates youth work and civic engagement principles to foster active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, and social inclusion
Transferability:
The Molichrom Lab model can be replicated in other regions or countries by partnering with local arts organisations and involving newcomers in participatory visual storytelling projects. This approach
National Aid Fund and EU Solidarity Package
Country: Poland
Provided by: Government of Poland, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Other (housing, healthcare)
Description:
Given the unprecedented scale of displacement into Poland (over 1.5 million Ukrainians still in-country by late 2022), the government launched systemic measures to support long-term integration. One flagship solution was the creation of the Aid Fund, managed by the state development bank BGK, to finance refugee-related programmes across municipalities. Established just weeks after the invasion, the Fund bankrolls projects ranging from expanding schools and healthcare to adapting housing and providing social services.To strengthen this, in mid-2022 the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved a €2 billion “Solidarity Package” loan, with €600 million disbursed already that year as the first tranche into the Aid Fund. These resources empower local authorities and service providers in cities like Warsaw, Kraków and Gdańsk (which saw population increases of 15–34%) to adapt infrastructure and expand public services. Investments include converting dormitories into apartments, opening more Polish language classes in schools, and reinforcing healthcare systems.As one EIB advisor noted: “When the initial local enthusiasm runs out and resources are depleted, there is a need for a systemic solution.” The Aid Fund exemplifies this shift from ad-hoc aid to coordinated national financing, ensuring refugees have access to stable housing, employment assistance, education, and healthcare beyond the emergency phase.
Innovative Elements:
A dedicated national financial mechanism for refugee integration.Combination of national and EU-level solidarity financing.Direct empowerment of municipalities to adapt housing, schools, and healthcare.Transition from short-term aid to long-term integration investments.
Transferability:
This Poland’s model, backed by EU solidarity financing, demonstrates how host countries can invest in infrastructure and inclusion programmes that benefit both refugees and host communities. The fundi
Our House Project
Country: Belgium (Brussels)
Provided by: IHF
Category: Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
Our House Project is a Brussels-based non-profit initiative that fosters the social integration of refugees through culinary and cultural activities. The project offers cooking classes led by refugees, focusing on Arabic cuisine, which help participants improve language skills while sharing their cultural heritage. It also organizes catering events and home dinners, where refugees prepare traditional dishes for local residents, creating direct opportunities for intercultural exchange and dialogue. The initiative highlights refugees’ culinary expertise while promoting understanding, inclusion, and community engagement.
Innovative Elements:
The project stands out for using cooking as a tool for social integration. By combining cooking classes with catering services, it enables refugees to share their culinary culture with the local community, fostering dialogue and social connection. Home dinners further create direct, personal interactions between refugees and local citizens, breaking down cultural barriers and encouraging mutual understanding.
Transferability:
The Our House Project model is highly adaptable to other urban and community contexts. Culinary and cultural activities can be replicated in different European cities as a means to promote social incl
Programma Integra / Teatro di Roma – Theatre Pathway with Young Refugees
Country: Italy - Rome, Lazio
Provided by: EPIC\ UdA
Category: Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
Since 2005, Programma Integra in partnership with Teatro di Roma has delivered theatre-based training, workshops and performance opportunities for refugee and migrant youth in Rome. The initiative provides a creative pathway to social inclusion by combining professional theatrical methods with psychosocial support.Through acting classes, collaborative workshops and stage productions, participants strengthen their language skills, build confidence, and develop creative and relational competences. At the same time, they are offered a platform to share their stories and perspectives with wider audiences, challenging stereotypes and fostering intercultural dialogue.Over the years, the initiative has supported thousands of young people (e.g., nearly 5,000 between 2005–2016 across various Programma Integra activities), confirming the long-term impact of theatre as a tool for empowerment and integration.
Innovative Elements:
Since 2005, the collaboration between Teatro di Roma and local social organisations has built a long-standing and innovative pathway for young refugees. The initiative uses theatre not only as a space for artistic training but also as a platform for advocacy, giving participants the opportunity to acquire performance skills while amplifying their voices. By combining social support with artistic development, the project strengthens self-expression and fosters meaningful community engagement. Over time, it has become a model that demonstrates how cultural spaces can be transformed into inclusive hubs of social participation.
Transferability:
The initiative shows how partnerships between cultural institutions and social organisations can create sustainable opportunities for refugee and migrant youth. Its theatre-based methodology can be re
Pulpa Festival
Country: Italy, Montesilvano (Province of Pescara), Abruzzo
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration, Digital skills, Soft skills, Other
Description:
Pulpa Festival is a contemporary arts festival in Montesilvano featuring visual art, music, and performance, aimed at supporting emerging artists and fostering local cultural participation. Beyond its artistic dimension, the festival actively integrates youth work, offering workshops, training, and participatory activities designed to promote civic engagement and active citizenship among young people, including those from SAI reception centres. Migrants and local youth have been central to the festival’s programming, co-creating performances and art installations that strengthen intercultural dialogue and community involvement. This approach aligns with broader youth work objectives, empowering young people to become protagonists of cultural life and social innovation in their city, while developing skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Innovative Elements:
• Embedding youth work principles into a contemporary arts festival, combining artistic creation with civic engagement and social inclusion
• Actively involving young people, including migrants from SAI centres, as creators and performers, giving them agency and visibility
• Offering workshops and training that foster digital, soft, and creative skills while promoting intercultural dialogue
• Strengthening community participation by using art and culture as tools for social cohesion and empowerment of local and migrant youth
Transferability:
Pulpa Festival demonstrates how cultural events can integrate youth work and social inclusion objectives. Its model can be adapted by other municipalities, arts organisations, or NGOs seeking to combi
Re-Source! Ukraine
Country: Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, Latvia, Romania, Moldova, Georgia
Provided by: IHF
Category: Social integration, Soft skills, Other (Arts,cultural participation)
Description:
Re-Source! Ukraine is a project launched by Trans Europe Halles (TEH), running from 2022 to 2024. It provides targeted support to displaced Ukrainian artists and cultural professionals by offering residencies, temporary work opportunities, collaborative artistic projects, and inclusive workshops. Through the active participation of TEH member spaces across Central and Eastern Europe, the project has created safe environments where displaced creatives could continue their practice, engage with local cultural ecosystems, and foster dialogue with host communities. Alongside artistic production, the initiative also emphasised community engagement and intercultural understanding, using culture as a tool to navigate displacement and crisis.
Innovative Elements:
• Mobilisation of a European cultural network (TEH) to provide rapid, decentralised support to artists affected by war
• Combination of practical support (residencies, work opportunities) with community-based and artistic activities, ensuring both livelihood and cultural continuity
• Engagement of local communities through workshops, exhibitions, and cultural events, positioning refugees not only as beneficiaries but as contributors
• Emphasis on transnational solidarity across multiple countries, creating a shared European response to the Ukrainian crisis
Transferability:
Re-Source! Ukraine demonstrates how cultural networks can be mobilised quickly and effectively to support displaced artists in crisis situations. Its structure – linking residencies, community activit
Reception, Assistance and Relocation Centres (CREADE) for people displaced from Ukraine
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Soft skills, Other (hospitality and basic services)
Description:
State system activated after the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022) to provide a single point of access to temporary protection and integration services. The 4 CREADEs (Madrid-Pozuelo, Málaga, Barcelona, Torrevieja) offer registration for temporary protection, legal orientation, economic support, initial accommodation and maintenance, school enrolment and Spanish courses, health care, psychosocial support and job orientation (active search, matching with offers, recognition of qualifications). Through an agreement with Fundación CEOE, a national platform is available with job offers and free training courses for skills in demand on the Spanish market.
Innovative Elements:
A multi-service, one-stop shop that reduces bureaucracy and simplifies the integration process.It integrates with business platforms such as Fundación CEOE's "Empresas por Ucrania" to quickly link profiles with real job offers on a national scale.Multilingual on-site services and cultural mediation are available, as is support for the homologation of professional titles, which is crucial for highly qualified individuals (a high percentage of Ukrainian people have tertiary education).There is also the possibility of referral to the extended reception network (Cruz Roja, CEAR, ACCEM and local authorities), ensuring continuity between the emergency phase and medium-term integration.
Transferability:
The CREADE model can be replicated in other European contexts as a 'rapid reception and integrated orientation' hub for large-scale arrivals. It requires inter-institutional agreements and d
SAIER & Nausica Program – Municipal Reception and Integration Services for Refugees in Barcelona
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Soft skills, Other (housing, autonomy support)
Description:
SAIER is a one-stop shop offering migrants and refugees in Barcelona information and support on documentation, housing, health, training, employment and social support. In 2023, it assisted over 19,000 people (including 6,065 asylum seekers), providing translation services and handling requests related to training and employment. Alongside SAIER, the Nausica Refugee Reception Programme provides temporary residential support, intensive assistance, and social and professional integration activities to promote independence. External evaluations demonstrate a positive impact on access to employment contracts and stability for those supported.
Innovative Elements:
The integration of municipal services in a single, expanded physical location facilitates multidimensional care.The guiding objective is a “personal autonomy” approach, combining housing, legal guidance, language courses and job placement.Results are monitored (e.g. placement rates and number of contracts) and services are adapted using data.SAIER collaborates with social start-ups and businesses in the metropolitan area to provide internships and employment opportunities in the service and urban economic sectors.
Transferability:
This is a municipal model that can be replicated in medium and large cities in VOICE partner countries. It can integrate multilingual front-office elements, referrals to external training and outcome
SAMBA Project – Orizzonti Cooperative
Country: Italy, Padova, Veneto
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration
Description:
The SAMBA Project, launched in 2015 by Orizzonti Sociali Cooperativa in Padua, combines reception services with creative training and practical workshops for migrants and refugees. Supported by Prefecture and Ministry mechanisms within the CAS (Centri di Accoglienza Straordinaria) system, the initiative goes beyond accommodation, offering opportunities for skills acquisition, community engagement, and self-expression. By merging social support with participatory activities, SAMBA promotes empowerment and strengthens the connection between refugees, migrants, and the local community.
Innovative Elements:
SAMBA innovates by transforming reception from a passive service into an active path of integration. Beyond housing and basic needs, it uses creativity and practical workshops as tools for building autonomy, fostering cultural exchange, and supporting long-term inclusion. The initiative demonstrates how artistic and hands-on activities can act as bridges between institutional structures and community life.
Transferability:
The model is adaptable to other contexts where reception structures exist, as it requires only the collaboration of social organisations, local institutions, and community actors. Its emphasis on crea
SIforREF – Integrating Refugees in Society and the Labour Market Through Social Innovation
Country: Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia
Provided by: IHF
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Other (Collaboration with civil society and policymakers)
Description:
SIforREF is a transnational project funded by the Interreg Central Europe programme, aimed at enhancing the integration of refugees into society and the labour market through socially innovative policies and practices. Implemented across five Central European regions (Vienna, Berlin, Bologna, Parma, Ljubljana) the project focuses on co-creating and testing innovative solutions that support refugees' transition from reception to autonomy. In 2019, a toolbox with social innovative approaches on refugee integration was developed, and in 2021, seven pilot actions were tested and evaluated in collaboration with participants, civil society, and political stakeholders. The key learnings from these pilots were used to develop a comprehensive transnational strategy with policy recommendations to provide policymakers and local communities with concrete tools for the integration of refugees.
Innovative Elements:
The SIforREF initiative stands out for its collaborative approach, bringing together researchers, local governments, and civil society actors to co-create and test socially innovative solutions for refugee integration. The project emphasizes the importance of including refugees in the decision-making process, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. By focusing on the transition from reception to autonomy, SIforREF aims to develop sustainable and inclusive practices that can be mainstreamed into local policies. The use of pilot actions allows for the testing and evaluation of different approaches, providing valuable insights into what works best in various contexts.
Transferability:
The methodologies and tools developed through SIforREF are designed to be transferable to other regions facing similar challenges in refugee integration. The project's emphasis on social innovati
Spanish Red Cross – Reception, Training, GPS Laboral & Plan de Empleo Programs for Refugees (including response to Ukraine)
Country: Spain
Provided by: Internet Web Solutions/Arrabal-AID
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Digital skills, Soft skills, Other (Psychosocial support, emergency)
Description:
The Red Cross manages part of the Reception System for International Protection Seekers and has developed integration programmes (Plan de Empleo) for refugees and migrants. These initiatives include: - Spanish language courses- Digital literacy training- Legal and administrative guidance- Individual tutoring- Workshops on labour rights- Active job search support (GPS Laboral)- Mentoring with volunteers and businesses- Personalised itineraries to increase employability In response to the Ukrainian crisis, the 'Atención Familias Ucrania' project (e.g. Tenerife/Canary Islands) provides social support, Spanish language courses, educational support for minors and tools for social and labour integration. Nationally, the Red Cross has assisted tens of thousands of Ukrainians, including by providing access to the labour market.
Innovative Elements:
A personalised itinerary methodology with continuous monitoring of progress towards autonomy.There is strong mobilisation of volunteers for language tutoring, mentoring and professional networking.Tools such as GPS Laboral combine short training courses, labour rights and the use of digital tools for job searching.A family and community approach (e.g. Atención Familias Ucrania) that addresses the needs of adults and minors simultaneously, facilitating stabilisation and participation in VOICE programmes.
Transferability:
The Cruz Roja training kits and short modules (language, employability and basic digital skills) can be integrated into VOICE courses as Open Educational Resources (OER) content. The volunteer mentori
The Mare Nostrum Theatre Project
Country: Italy, Florence
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
The Mare Nostrum Theatre Project was an intercultural theatre initiative implemented in Florence, Italy, in 2019. It brought together approximately 12 actors and musicians from over 10 countries to collaboratively create performances exploring themes of migration, displacement, and belonging.The project highlighted the lived experiences of refugees and displaced individuals, emphasising the importance of memory, recognition, and cultural expression in the face of historical erasure. Through collective storytelling, music, and theatrical performance, participants were able to share their personal and collective narratives, fostering intercultural understanding and empathy among audiences and collaborators.
Innovative Elements:
Intercultural collaboration among actors and musicians from diverse national backgroundsUse of performing arts as a medium to explore migration and displacementEmphasis on memory and recognition to give visibility to refugees’ experiences and counter historical erasureIndependent, collaborative production model combining professional artistry with social engagement.
Transferability:
The Mare Nostrum Theatre Project demonstrated how theatre and music can serve as powerful tools for social inclusion and intercultural dialogue. Its collaborative approach can be replicated by communi
The Red Pencil (Europe)
Country: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Spain, and other European countries
Provided by: IHF
Category: Social integration, Soft skills, Other (Creative arts therapy)
Description:
The Red Pencil (Europe) is part of the international Red Pencil network, which uses creative arts therapy — encompassing visual arts, music, dance, and movement — to foster psychological resilience, social inclusion, and emotional well-being. Since 2023, the European branch has delivered humanitarian missions, therapeutic workshops, and long-term interventions for vulnerable groups, including refugees, children, cancer patients, and survivors of trauma. By combining artistic expression with therapeutic guidance, the initiative empowers participants to process difficult experiences, build self-esteem, and reconnect with their communities.
Innovative Elements:
• Integration of multiple creative arts (visual arts, music, dance, movement) into a holistic therapeutic methodology
• Strong network of professional creative arts therapists (over 1,600 engaged) ensuring quality and impact
• Collaboration with 110 partner organisations across 7 countries, broadening reach and ensuring cultural adaptability
• Use of creative expression as a low-barrier, cross-cultural tool for psychosocial healing and community reintegration
Transferability:
The Red Pencil model is highly adaptable across different contexts and vulnerable groups. Its methodology can be replicated by healthcare institutions, NGOs, schools, and refugee support centres seeki
The Sound Routes. Notes for getting close
Country: Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany
Provided by: IHF
Category: Social integration, Other (Music and CUltural integration)
Description:
The Sound Routes promoted encounters between refugee and migrant musicians, European artists and local communities. Through concerts, jam sessions, house performances and original compositions, the project used music as a tool to foster integration, cultural dialogue and mutual understanding. Events took place in prestigious venues such as the Bologna Jazz Festival and Werkstatt der Kulturen in Berlin, alongside smaller community-based initiatives.
Innovative Elements:
The initiative uniquely combined professional and community-level music-making, giving migrant and refugee musicians both visibility and concrete opportunities for professional development. By mixing large-scale festivals with intimate house concerts and jam sessions, it created multiple entry points for cultural exchange and built inclusive spaces where music served as a universal language.
Transferability:
The model can be replicated in other European contexts by combining professional platforms with community-based events, ensuring both high-level visibility and grassroots participation. Its flexible s
TRUST – Trauma, Refugees, Ukraine, Solidarity, Therapy
Country: Italy (Fondazione Di Liegro) + Greece (Epioni), Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg
Provided by: EPIC \ UdA
Category: Social integration, Soft skills, Other (Art therapy and trauma support)
Description:
TRUST (Trauma, Refugees, Ukraine, Solidarity, Therapy) is an international Erasmus+ project coordinated by Fondazione Internazionale Don Luigi Di Liegro ETS in Italy, in collaboration with partner organisations from Greece (Epioni), Portugal, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Launched in May 2023, the initiative uses art therapy and psychosocial support to address trauma among Ukrainian refugees and other displaced people, while also strengthening solidarity and intercultural understanding across Europe.In Rome, the Fondazione Di Liegro organised creative workshops, therapeutic sessions, and community-based activities for Ukrainian refugees, providing safe spaces for emotional healing, cultural expression, and peer connection. At the European level, TRUST promotes knowledge exchange and the development of innovative practices for refugee support, combining artistic tools with psychosocial expertise to build resilience among displaced communities.
Innovative Elements:
Integration of art therapy and psychosocial support within a European cooperation project, bridging mental health and cultural expressionCross-country collaboration, with partners in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Belgium, and Luxembourg ensuring exchange of methods and adaptability across different contextsRefugee-centred approach, providing safe and inclusive spaces for trauma processing, self-expression, and resilience-buildingCombination of local activities (e.g., workshops in Rome) with international capacity-building, ensuring impact at both community and systemic levels
Transferability:
The TRUST initiative demonstrates how art therapy can be mainstreamed into refugee inclusion strategies by combining cultural tools with psychosocial methodologies. Its flexible, low-cost approach can
U-HEAL II – Supporting Ukrainian Healthcare Professionals
Country: Poland
Provided by: CARE Poland, in partnership with Polish medical in
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
U-HEAL II builds on CARE’s earlier support for displaced Ukrainians by enabling refugee healthcare professionals (nurses, midwives, paramedics) to continue their careers in Poland. The programme provides specialised Polish medical language courses, assistance with credential recognition, and orientation in Polish healthcare standards. Participants receive mentorship, CV support, and introductions to hospitals seeking staff. By equipping refugees with the necessary language and administrative tools, U-HEAL II addresses labour shortages in the healthcare sector and helps skilled refugees avoid “deskilling” into unrelated jobs. By 2023, dozens of nurses and midwives had joined language courses and begun credential recognition.
Innovative Elements:
Focused sector-specific upskilling aligned with national labour shortages.Integration of language, legal and workplace cultural training.Direct employer engagement leading to concrete recruitment pathways.
Transferability:
The approach can be applied in other shortage sectors (e.g. education, IT) by combining professional language training with credential recognition and employer networking.
Ucraina CreAttiva – Roma
Country: Italy, Rome, Lazio
Provided by: EPIC \ Uda
Category: Education, Social integration
Description:
Ucraina CreAttiva was a refugee-led initiative based in Rome, coordinated by the association Ucraina CreAttiva APS. From 2022 to 2024, it delivered creative workshops, cultural activities, and community events aimed at supporting the social inclusion and cultural expression of Ukrainian refugees who had settled in the city. The programme provided safe spaces for artistic exchange, peer support, and cultural visibility, strengthening community ties and fostering dialogue between newcomers and local residents.
Innovative Elements:
Refugees themselves were the leaders and organisers of the initiative, ensuring community ownership and empowermentUse of creative expression and cultural events as tools to build resilience and social participationStrong peer-to-peer dimension, where refugees and locals co-created activitiesCollaboration with humanitarian actors such as UNHCR (through the PartecipAzione programme) and INTERSOS to ensure sustainability and outreach
Transferability:
The Ucraina CreAttiva model demonstrated how refugee-led cultural initiatives can effectively promote inclusion and empowerment. Its community-based, low-cost, and adaptable structure can be replicate
University of Warsaw for Ukraine – free skills and language courses
Country: Poland
Provided by: University of Warsaw
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Digital skills
Description:
In 2022 the University of Warsaw launched “University of Warsaw for Ukraine,” offering free courses to refugees. The programme covers Polish, English, German and French language classes, digital literacy and IT skills, entrepreneurship and career planning workshops. It also provides legal assistance, psychological counselling and seminars on labour rights. Classes are held in small groups, including specialised workshops for children and youth. The initiative is particularly important for highly educated refugees who often face “skills mismatch” in Poland; tailored training supports them in re-entering their professions or accessing higher-skilled jobs. The university also supports tutors and educators working with Ukrainian pupils in Polish schools, offering webinars on inclusive teaching.
Innovative Elements:
Higher education institution mobilised for integration beyond academia.Combination of language learning, vocational skills and psychosocial support.Specialised training paths for both refugees and host-country educators.Provision of career planning and entrepreneurship workshops.
Transferability:
The model is suitable for replication in other universities with adult education capacity. It requires partnerships with local authorities and NGOs to reach refugee populations and align training with
Upskilling and Employment Support for Refugees
Country: Poland
Provided by: Accenture Poland, in partnership with Adecco Group
Category: Education, Employment, Digital skills, Soft skills
Description:
Accenture Poland has adapted its training platforms to specifically support Ukrainian refugees entering the labour market. The “Skills to Succeed Academy” provides digital literacy and employment preparedness courses, while the “Carrots Academy for Women” offers tailored cybersecurity training for Ukrainian women. Graduates are offered job placement opportunities at Accenture or partner companies. To strengthen labour market integration, Accenture also partnered with the Adecco Group to support refugees in career development and adjusted recruitment processes with personalised, high-touch guidance for Ukrainian candidates. This initiative demonstrates how corporate actors can mobilise resources and expertise to provide both training and direct employment pathways for refugees.
Innovative Elements:
Corporate-led initiative combining training with direct job offers.Focus on women’s empowerment through cybersecurity upskilling.Adaptation of global training platforms for the refugee context in Poland.
Transferability:
The model is transferable to other corporate actors – adapting existing company training resources for refugee groups, and linking them to recruitment pipelines, creates effective public-private integ
We Welcome Young Refugees
Country: Belgium (Brussels)
Provided by: IHF
Category: Social integration, Soft skills, Other (Sport)
Description:
Royal Europa ’90 Kraainem Football Club, located in the eastern suburbs of Brussels, has been a pioneer in integrating young refugees through sport. Since September 2015, the club has partnered with Fedasil, the Belgian federal agency responsible for the reception of asylum seekers, to welcome unaccompanied minors and other young refugees. The initiative offers a comprehensive program that includes football training, language classes, cultural activities, and shared meals, providing a holistic approach to integration. The club hosts groups of 6 to 10 young refugees every afternoon during the football season, from September to May, fostering a sense of belonging and community among participants.
Innovative Elements:
The initiative stands out for its inclusive approach, integrating young refugees into the daily life of the club. By combining sports with language education and cultural exchange, it creates a supportive environment where refugees can develop both athletic and social skills. The program also emphasizes the importance of shared experiences, such as communal meals, to build relationships and understanding between refugees and local community members. This model not only aids in the integration of refugees but also promotes diversity and inclusion within the broader community.
Transferability:
The Kraainem Football Club model is highly adaptable and can serve as a blueprint for other communities seeking to integrate refugees through sport. Its success lies in the combination of structured a
Work Without Borders – Vocational Integration for Ukrainian Refugees
Country: Poland
Provided by: Fundacja Ukraina with Regional Labour Office
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
Implemented between 2022-2023 in Lower Silesia, the “Work Without Borders” project targeted refugees from Ukraine, especially women, to improve employability and access to jobs. Activities included individual career counselling, professional skills workshops, legal and entrepreneurship consultations, and Polish language classes oriented towards employment. Recognising care responsibilities, the project offered childcare during trainings. The initiative provided “skills vouchers” to participants and directly linked them with employers and job fairs. With over 1 million PLN of funding from the national “Together We Can Do More” programme, it supported hundreds of participants to secure work or retraining.
Innovative Elements:
Tailored support combining legal, career, and entrepreneurship advice.Inclusion of childcare provision to enable women’s participation.Skills vouchers and direct employer networking to speed up job placement.
Transferability:
The model can be replicated in other regions through partnerships between NGOs and local labour offices, especially where there is high female refugee participation.
“Emergency assistance for Ukrainian women refugees in Poland with digital 4IR training: Bolstering livelihoods”
Country: Poland
Provided by: United Nations Institute for Training and Research
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Digital skills, Soft skills
Description:
From October 2023 to March 2024, UNITAR implemented an intensive digital upskilling programme for 500 Ukrainian women refugees in Poland. Funded by the Government of Japan, the initiative focused on Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills and entrepreneurship to improve employability. Training was offered in three phases: a six-week online course with specialisation tracks (e.g. IT support, programming, digital marketing), followed by a one-week series of live webinars and practical assignments, and concluding with a two-day hybrid employment forum where top participants presented projects to employers. Over 100 women completed the initial course, and 50 advanced to later stages. Feedback showed that 96% found the training useful and 94% intended to apply their new skills. The programme addressed both technical competences and soft skills, while linking participants directly to employers in Poland’s digital economy.
Innovative Elements:
Focus on women’s economic empowerment through digital skills.Three-phase training structure combining online learning, practical assignments, and employer engagement.Multilingual delivery (Ukrainian, Polish, English) ensuring accessibility.
Transferability:
The model is highly adaptable for other refugee contexts. Combining digital skills, soft skills, and direct employer contact makes it relevant for countries seeking to integrate refugees into growth s
“Together Towards Independence”
Country: Poland
Provided by: Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA
Category: Education, Employment, Social integration, Soft skills
Description:
The “Together Towards Independence” project is a joint initiative of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM), and the Polish Red Cross (PCK). It supports Ukrainian refugees in Poland by shifting focus from emergency relief towards long-term independence and labour market integration.The programme combines Polish language courses, vocational training, and career counselling with legal and psychological support. It also includes integration workshops and childcare provision, ensuring that refugee parents (especially women) can participate fully in training and employment pathways. By engaging both national authorities and NGOs, the project strengthens institutional coordination and provides holistic services tailored to refugees’ needs.
Innovative Elements:
Government-NGO partnership, ensuring scale, sustainability, and community reach.Holistic model combining language, training, legal, psychosocial, and childcare services.Explicit focus on transitioning refugees from aid-dependence to self-reliance.
Transferability:
The initiative demonstrates how national ministries and NGOs can collaborate effectively to deliver integrated refugee support. The model can be replicated in other countries with large-scale refugee
