“My second safe home” – project partnership to help refugees from Ukraine
Ukrainian citizens forced to flee the country in the face of hostilities, as well as the social, political and economic challenges that result from this phenomenon, are currently a significant challenge on a European scale. Fleeing from the turmoil of war, many people from the East sought refuge in Poland and the Czech Republic, which is why both countries are trying to provide refugees with support, effectively respond to their needs and ensure integration with the local environment. To improve these processes, APURE Association for the Development of Regions and its partner from the Czech Republic, USTAV SOCIALNICH INOVACI OPS, implemented the project: “My second safe home”. The project was implemented under the Erasmus+ program, Small-Scale Partnership in the Youth Area.
The aim of the project was to provide comprehensive assistance to Ukrainian immigrants in Poland and the Czech Republic, enabling them to integrate with local communities and increase their chances for a better life. Two-track activities were planned as part of the project work. Firstly, it was to educate the communities living in the partnership countries. The goal was achieved by transmitting knowledge regarding cultural differences and strengthening values such as intercultural dialogue and tolerance for diversity. Secondly, educational activities were carried out aimed at Ukrainian citizens. Their aim was to facilitate integration in a new environment and find one’s way in a new social, educational and professional reality – Polish and Czech. As part of the project, refugees were provided with, among others: psychological support, help in learning the language and looking for a job, as well as participation in workshops and training that will allow them to develop their skills and competences. An indirect goal of the project was also to improve the competences of the partners’ employees and collaborators, especially in building the awareness of local communities in the spirit of interculturalism.
Cooperation with the Czech partner USTAV SOCIALNICH INOVACI was crucial to the success of the project, because this organization has many years of experience in conducting activities for immigrants and knows exactly the problems and needs these people have to face. Joint action allowed us to achieve better results and more effective use of resources, which was particularly important in view of the scale of the challenges posed by the issue of Ukrainian immigration. The project partners expected that the “My second safe home” project would bring positive results not only for Ukrainian immigrants, but also for local communities with which they would have the opportunity to integrate and cooperate. The support received by refugees will enable them to better cope with difficulties and challenges, take up employment and become a stable pillar of the communities in which they will function.
It should be noted that the “My second safe home” project is one of many activities undertaken by APURE, the Association for the Development of Regions, to help immigrants. This organization believes that cooperation and mutual understanding between different groups of people is crucial to achieving peace and harmony, and the “My Second Safe Home” project is another step towards realizing this vision.