Accenture-funded project continues to empower refugees through education and support
YMCA Europe is pleased to announce the extension of its successful Refugee Skilling and Support Project for an additional year (June 2023 – May 2024).
Following the Russian military aggression against Ukraine from February 2022, YMCA Europe with the support of Accenture developed the project “Refugee skilling and support” in autumn 2022. It started with an emergency response design at creating safe spaces for Ukrainian refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the local people, through a network of eDU Hubs and Mobile Hubs funded by Accenture.
The YMCAs from four countries (Ukraine with 5 cities, Slovakia 3, Romania 2 and the Republic of Moldova 2) reached over the course of 6 months (October 2022 – March 2023), 14,700 people. The beneficiaries (adults, young people, children) were supported through a series of educational and mental health activities which led to 5,455 people having their lives improved by educational activities (the highest number being registered in YMCA Ukraine – 3.461) and 4,711 by mental health & childcare activities. Furthermore, 2,508 beneficiaries saw their lives being transformed by educational activities (with the highest number in Ukraine – 1,309) and 1,177 by mental health & childcare activities.
The impact can be observed through the key achievements:
- reaching directly to almost 15,000 people who needed access to support systems;
- running more than 4,000 activities* in 4 European countries (including 5 different cities/regions in Ukraine); creating and ensuring the functionality of 8 eDU Hubs and 4 Mobile Hubs;
- implementing a regional scale emergency response that creates the basis for building an integration-based approach in four countries;
- expanding the organisational capacity of working with other target groups (adults);
- developing partnerships and synergies with local and national partners (e.g., employment agencies, other NGOs, companies);
- reaching more than half of million people through social media;
- creating a handbook on how to manage an eDU Hub (including with recommendations for policies/practices) and a handbook on how to set a Mobile Hub, both tools being addressed to a wider audience.
YMCA has achieved key milestones and the project has achieved 139% of the total Connected target i.e., 14,780 out of 10,600. The Improved level of achievement is 174% of the total Improved target i.e., 10,166 out of 5,840. At the Transformed level, the achievement is 101% which is 3,685 out of 3,650.
The YMCA Europe Refugee Skilling and Support Project II, launched June 1st 2023, aims to provide through the YMCA hubs education, skills training, and vital support services to refugees from Romania, Moldova, Slovakia and Ukrainain communities and IDPs in 5 locations in Ukraine.
The project has been instrumental in empowering refugees, including Ukrainians in Ukraine and internally displaced persons (IDPs), to rebuild their lives, foster social integration, and enhance their employment prospects in their host communities. By equipping refugees and IDPs with the necessary skills and resources, YMCA Europe strives to enable their self-reliance and integration into the local communities.
Since its inception, the project has witnessed remarkable success stories, with numerous refugees benefitting from the various educational and support programs offered. These initiatives include language classes, vocational training, job placement assistance, entrepreneurship workshops, and psychosocial support.
The decision to extend the project for an additional year comes as a direct response to the continued needs and demands of the beneficiaries. The success achieved thus far has inspired YMCA Europe and its partners to further expand their efforts and ensure a more sustainable and long-lasting impact. With the generous support of Accenture, the project will continue to offer a comprehensive range of services to address the specific challenges faced by refugees, enabling them to overcome barriers and build a brighter future.
The extension of the Refugee Skilling and Support Project reflects the commitment of YMCA Europe and its partners to making a tangible difference in the lives of refugees. By providing education, training, and support, the project not only enhances the employability of refugees but also promotes social cohesion and understanding between different communities.
“We are thrilled to extend the Refugee Skilling and Support Project for another year,” said Juan Simoes Iglesias, Secretary General of YMCA Europe. “The positive impact we have witnessed so far has been truly inspiring. We are deeply committed to supporting refugees on their journey towards self-sufficiency and integration, and we look forward to empowering even more individuals in the coming year.”
With the extended project duration, YMCA Europe aims to reach more than 12,000 beneficiaries, expand its partnerships with local organizations, and enhance the sustainability of its programs. The organization remains dedicated to leveraging education and support to unlock the potential of refugees, enabling them to thrive and contribute to their new societies.
About YMCA Europe: YMCA Europe is a leading youth organization committed to empowering young people and promoting social justice. With a presence in [number of countries] countries across Europe, the organization works to provide educational, employment, and leadership opportunities to young individuals, fostering their personal growth and contribution to society.
About Accenture: Accenture is a global professional services company dedicated to delivering innovation and solving complex challenges for clients across industries. Through its corporate citizenship initiatives, Accenture aims to build a more inclusive and sustainable world, supporting organizations that drive positive change and make a lasting impact.
The Accenture Foundation has been set up to – directly or indirectly – support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on quality education, decent work, economic growth, and climate change. The Foundation focuses on initiatives that overall contribute to the responsible citizenship goals, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and – more specifically – Accenture`s Skills to Succeed initiative.
* Activities: on employment (including language courses, legal advice, IT/digital courses, counselling): 1,348 / On Mental Health (online and offline): 1,634 / On child care: 1,229.
