Solidarity Without Borders - empowering refugees from Ukraine towards autonomy and inclusion

Project facts

Project promoter:
Workshops Without Borders Association(RO)
Project Number:
RO-ACTIVECITIZENS-0323
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€213,586
Other Project Partners
RISE Romania ((The Romanian Network of Social Enterprises for Insertion through Economic Activity(RO)
Programme:

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. These objectives were achieved through counseling, organizing Romanian language courses, information sessions, and adapting the socio-professional integration model of AFF.

These objectives were achieved through counseling, organizing Romanian language courses, information sessions, and adapting the socio-professional integration model of AFF. The resulting model was presented to public authorities, employers, and social service providers to foster legislative changes. A total of 268 Ukrainians were counseled and/or integrated, with 240 assessment forms completed, 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. 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 and NGO’s. 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. 

These objectives were achieved through counseling, organizing Romanian language courses, information sessions, and adapting the socio-professional integration model of AFF.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.