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Description
The sustainable integration of refugees means avoiding ghettoization and supporting them to take part in efficient market systems,
as producers, workers and consumers, a model sustained by the International Labor Organization. Accessing the labor market by
refugees faces two major barriers in Romania: (1) only 4% speak Romanian, while for 6 out of 10 employers, the language barrier is
the biggest challenge and (2) employers have limited knowledge on the legal framework that regulates refugees'' right to work,
especially in the context of urgent legislative changes.
The project proposes to increase the degree of employability of refugees from Ukraine by adapting the socio-professional insertion
model of AFF, respectively through an integrated approach to the already available services supported by unique and individualized
case management that maps and coordinates the available solutions and that empowers the beneficiaries in accessing them,
counseled and/or on their own. A special attention is given to the acquisition of the Romanian language, an insufficiently served
need.
The integrated intervention model aims at the inclusion of people displaced from Ukraine by raising the barriers that stand in the
way of employment on the labor market, as a means of livelihood. Barriers related to housing, access to health, education and child
care are addressed through coordination with other actors in the social field and with employers, in order to maximize the effects
on the beneficiaries. The model is documented through monitoring and evaluation activities, then submitted to the attention of the
stakeholders involved (public authorities, employers, social service providers) with the aim of producing legislative changes. The
partnership with RISE will bring to the same table public authorities, NGOs, actors from the social economy, employers and people
displaced from Ukraine with the aim of increasing individual autonomy and facilitating inclusion in Romanian society.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to increase the inclusion and employability of Ukrainian refugees by removing the barriers that hinder their integration into the labor market and improving their living conditions. To this aim, the project wanted to adapt the promoter''s socio-professional integration model, serving vulnerable groups in Romania, to the Ukrainian refugees group.
To achieve the set objectives, the project included counseling, organizing Romanian language courses, information sessions, and adapting the socio-professional integration model of AFF to the refugees group. The resulting model was presented to public authorities, employers, and social service providers to foster legislative changes. During the counselling sessions 240 assessment forms were completed, 126 UKR attended Romanian language courses, 57 UKR received specific job mediation, some of the beneficiaries participated at job fairs and 31 individuals were employed or in the process of employment by the end of the project. Additionally, 10 information and empowerment sessions were organized on topics of interest for 67 UKR and 59 people from NGOs.
The advocacy activity organized 2 consultation workshops with 25 people, targeting both UKR refugees and NGO’s staff. The conclusions of these workshops led to reports and advices for public policies, 3 best practices were documented and a socio-professional integration model was drafted. All were presented at the final conference and aimed at legislative changes.
Through the project, AFF adapted their socio-professional integration model for the refugees group. 268 Ukrainians were counseled and/or integrated, 126 UKR attended Romanian language courses, 57 UKR received specific job mediation, and 31 individuals were employed or in the process of employment by the end of the project.
Stakeholders form other NGOS engaged in project activities, either in sessions aimed at increasing the capacity of staff assisting refugees or in consultation activities.
As part of the advocacy component, 3 best practices were documented and a socio-professional integration model was drafted. They are aimed at legislative changes and shall be used in future advocacy activities of the project partners.