Capacity-building for the YMCAs serving the Ukrainian refugees and IDPs: the Refugee Skilling and Support Project extended for Phase III (June 1st – December 31st, 2024)
Since October 2022, YMCAs in Europe are actively working to serve the Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) with the support of Accenture Foundation, through the Refugee Skilling and Support Project.
The first phase of the intervention was the emergency response, and it was implemented until March 2023, when five YMCAs from Ukraine (Boyarka, Kremenchuk, Lutsk, Zaporizhzhia and Zdolbuniv), and three from Romania, Republic of Moldova and Slovakia provided first-hand support to those in need.
Over the course of 6 months, 15,000 people were reached; more than 4,000 activities were implemented; 8 eDU Hubs and 4 Mobile Hubs were created and opened to the public; and more than half of million people were engaged through social media.
By implementing a regional scale emergency response, the YMCA created the basis for building an integration-based approach in four countries, thus expanding its organisational capacity of working with other target groups (adults) and developing partnerships and synergies with local and national partners (e.g., employment agencies, other NGOs, companies).
The 2nd phase of the project started in June 2023 and it’s due to end by May 31st, 2024. It meant transitioning from an emergency response to an integration-focused one.
During this time, it was observed that the hubs consolidated their role in the community and managed to involve new beneficiaries in the activities, developing the extent to which the services were provided, they liaised with new stakeholders, and increased the awareness of their impact. In the first seven months of the integration phase (up to December 2023), the project led to 14,034 people reached, 7,280 people who improved their life, and 926 lives transformed through the work of 12 eDU and Mobile Hubs.
Three types of activities brought these results: 1,218 activities in the field of skilling and employment, 1,551 activities focused on mental health, and 425 activities concerning childcare. Learn more about some of the success stories.
Now, with the valuable support of Accenture Foundation, the project will move towards the 3rd phase of the implementation, which will start in June 2024 and will last until the end of this year.
While the first two phases were concentrated on the emergency and integration responses, the current phase will seek to address the capacity building needs of the YMCAs so that they are able to further serve their communities.
In the next seven months, the YMCAs from Ukraine, Romania, Republic of Moldova and Slovakia will continue to support their beneficiaries by strengthening language proficiency, enhancing the mental health support, building digital skills, facilitate employment opportunities, and promote intercultural integration.
At the same time, the YMCAs coordinated by YMCA Europe will work on developing sustainability strategies and consolidate their presence in the community.
It`s worth mentioning that the ‘Refugee Skilling and Support‘ project takes center stage as a stellar example of impactful collaboration on European level, being lauded on two very relevant websites:
- “Civil Society Organisation and Business Team UP for Skill” on the European Union / European Year of Skills website – and
- “Specific Activities for the Labour Market Integration of Ukrainian Refugees in Maramureș (Romania)” on Iterreg Europe website.
Celebrated as a best practice, this project stands testament to the transformative potential of collaborative efforts in empowering and integrating Ukrainian refugees, IDPs, and communities into their new environments.
Funded by Accenture, this project addresses an immediate and clear need enabling tens of thousands of beneficiaries from the communities affected by the war in Ukraine, leveraging YMCA’s existing and significant pan-Europe presence by establishing community hubs that assist in skills development and connecting to employment opportunities – and other wrap-around services – for Ukraine refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in a holistic way.
YMCA Hubs will help people connect with local communities and resources, including access to safe and secure skills development and support services, e.g. as promoted by Accenture and other quality-assured partners.
