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Description
The first challenge currently facing host communities is the capacity of childcare and education facilities, e.g., kindergartens, daycare centers, schools and other sites, to ensure accessibility to host and refugee populations. While schools are more flexible in space and the ability to provide services, taking care of small children requires considerable effort in terms of space, materials, and human and financial resources. Communities now face an influx of refugee children that, without proper care, will prevent their mothers/caregivers from economic activities, studies, etc. and
Summary of the results
The PMM has invited 9 NGOs from 8 provinces in Poland to take part in the Child Friendly Spaces project. In each city, local organisations independently carried out an assessment of what was available in the area and implemented solutions to fill the gaps using the funding provided. Among the activities organised, the most popular were foreign language classes for adults (a total of 2,552 hours of classes), animation and integration activities for children and young people from Ukraine and Poland (6,033 hours) and psychological support for children and young people (1,978 hours). Some of the classes were run by volunteers from Ukraine who had lived in Poland before the outbreak of the war. Professional workshops on child protection, crisis intervention and trauma work were also organised for staff and volunteers working with refugees arriving from Ukraine on a daily basis. More than 80 people attended the workshop. The implementation of the Child Friendly Spaces project has many meanings and benefits for communities from Poland and Ukraine, e.g. stimulating development (emotional, social and physical), building confidence, fostering social relationships, employment opportunities.