YMCA Europe, in collaboration with its project partners, is pleased to announce and invite colleagues, policymakers, civil society actors, researchers, and practitioners to the upcoming Community Forum: “From Emergency Response to Sustainable Integration: Scaling Community-Based Solutions for Refugee Inclusion in Europe.”
The event will take place in Brussels, Belgium, on 10 September 2026.
As Europe continues to navigate the long-term realities of displacement and social exclusion, there is an urgent need for collaborative approaches that bridge immediate emergency support with long-term, sustainable integration. This dissemination event for the eDU Hubs and Mobile Centres (EHMC) project offers a platform to share practical, evidence-based insights and a replicable model to inform future policy and practice across the continent.
About the EHMC Project
Over the past 18 months, YMCA Europe, YMCA Romania, YMCA Slovakia, and YMCA Germany have developed, tested, and strengthened a community-based model designed to support the social inclusion, integration, wellbeing, and skills development of Ukrainian refugees and other vulnerable groups.
By centering the beneficiary at the heart of the process, the eDU Hubs and Mobile Centres initiative demonstrates how civil society, public institutions, academia, and private-sector actors can work together to build community resilience. This innovative European initiative is co-funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and proudly supported by the Accenture Foundation.
Key Objectives & What to Expect
The Community Forum will explore the drivers and challenges of integration programming across Germany, Romania, and Slovakia. Attendees will discover how grassroots, community-driven work can inform public policies that work for all citizens, regardless of their background.
Event Highlights Include:
- Model Presentation: An in-depth look at the EHMC model and its contribution to refugee integration.
- Lessons Learned: Shared outcomes and best practices from project implementation in Romania, Slovakia, and Germany.
- Policy Dialogue: A multi-stakeholder panel discussion exploring how community-based approaches can complement institutional frameworks.
- Partnership Building: Structured networking opportunities designed to facilitate new cross-sector collaborations at local, national, and European levels.
Event Details & Registration
- Date: 10 September 2026
- Venue: Info Hub — European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium
- Format: In-person Community Forum
- Catering: YMCA Europe is pleased to cover the meals (including a networking lunch and dinner) for all participants on 10 September. Please note that travel and accommodation costs are not covered.
How to Register
Due to venue capacity, spaces are limited. We kindly request that you express your interest by completing the registration form no later than 15 July 2026.
👉 Click Here to Access the Registration Form
A detailed, finalized agenda—including confirmed speakers and panel participants—will be shared with registered participants well in advance of the event.
For any questions or further information, please contact Olga Lukina at olga@ymcaeurope.com.
We look forward to welcoming you to Brussels and working together to strengthen social inclusion and community resilience across Europe.
Part of the “Edu Hubs and Mobile Centres” project, supporting the integration of Ukrainian refugees and host communities. Co-funded by the EU (ESF+ Social Innovation+) and Accenture.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.
On behalf of the eDU Hubs and Mobile Centres (EHMC) Consortium: YMCA Romania • YMCA Slovakia • YMCA Germany • YMCA Europe
