Integrated pathways for inclusion and wellbeing

Thursday 2 April 2026

How can the participation and inclusion of Ukrainian refugees be strengthened across European contexts?

Through integrated pathways combining mental wellbeing, financial education, employment sustainability, and safe spaces for dialogue. The visits carried out by CESIE ETS in Eastern Europe showcase a concrete experience grounded in mutual learning and co-creation.

The activities developed in Slovakia, Poland, and Romania follow an intensive training pathway, including a training course for trainers held in Palermo from September 22 to 26, 2025, focused on structural, collective, and personal dimensions of psychosocial resilience (mental wellbeing), as well as additional sessions on financial education and employment sustainability.

So far, CESIE ETS has conducted visits in Iași (Romania, March 7–8), Žilina (Slovakia, January 28–29), Katowice (Poland, November 25–26), and Bielsko-Biała (Poland, February 17–18), with upcoming visits planned in Cluj, Romania (May 6–7) and Prešov, Slovakia (May 13–14).

Across all locations, activities showed a strong balance between theoretical input and practical exercises, including group discussions, brainstorming sessions, and co-creation activities that encouraged active participation. A key strength was the multidisciplinary composition of local teams, including roles in project management, community management, training (career guidance and financial education), and psychology. The presence of psychologists, even in less sensitive contexts such as financial education, helped create safe and supportive environments and enabled more personalized approaches.

Mental wellbeing activities made use of artistic and experiential practices such as candle making, motanka dolls, art therapy, Pilates, and visits to botanical gardens, fostering relaxation, connection, and communication beyond language barriers. At the same time, financial education sessions included playful and interactive elements, enriched by the presence of experts addressing practical topics such as international protection, contracts, and workers’ rights.

The organization of spaces, often using circular seating arrangements, facilitated dialogue and exchange, while discussion groups on sensitive topics, such as women’s physical and emotional safety, created safe spaces for reflection and community interaction. Another positive element was the involvement of social science students, future professionals in the inclusion field, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the project’s impact.

Overall, activities across the three countries demonstrate a strong commitment to trust-building and continuous adaptation to local contexts, community needs, and participants’ interests. CESIE ETS feels deeply enriched by this exchange of good practices, through which genuine European communities of practice are being built, capable of generating lasting impact on inclusion and mental wellbeing.