In a context where the war in Ukraine has triggered large-scale migration and severely impacted the mental and physical well-being of millions, the need to adopt inclusive employment and social long-term support measures has become urgent. Governments, local authorities, and civil society organizations in countries like Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Italy are being called to provide holistic support to refugees striving to rebuild their lives.
Against this backdrop, from 22 to 26 September 2025, the IMMERSED Training of Trainers took place in Palermo, hosted by CESIE. The central aim was to equip a new group of trainers who will guide Ukrainian refugees through concrete pathways of inclusion. The training strategically brought together actors from the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society.
The initiative began with a reflection on migration and the psychological impact of war, trauma, instability, and loss of sense of community. The importance of strengthening the psychological resilience of frontline workers was highlighted, to prevent burnout and re-traumatization, and to ensure effective, sustainable support.
Trainers from the partner countries took part in the training. The intense week, filled with study sessions, simulations, and exchange, allowed participants to combine theory with practical tools. Skill acquisition was immediately contextualized: between November 2025 and May 2026, trainers in Slovakia, Poland, and Romania will deliver training in their countries, adapting the acquired tools and approaches to local realities, for Ukrainian refugees and HR professionals.
Employability and mental well-being were key themes. SEND – employment agency led a session on concrete tools for professional integration, including job cards, personalized guidance, workplace accompaniment, and the role of the intercultural mediator.
A key section focused on corporate inclusion. Participants explored how to develop training materials for HR staff, aiming to prepare companies to welcome Ukrainian refugees with conscious, sustainable, and intercultural approaches. The training also included alternative methods such as art therapy and doll-making (“motanka” according to the Ukrainian culture), as well as dialogue sessions led by the PENC center. An ethnopsychiatrist, a Ukrainian intercultural mediator, and a case manager from the Municipality of Palermo shared how their roles intersect to foster a structured and holistic approach to inclusion and participation. They discussed the “waiting dilemma” and the joint responses developed through intersectoral cooperation.
The Palermo experience was also crucial in building purposeful European and local collaborations. Participants highlighted collaboration with aligned projects in terms of target groups and topics, such as SHE-UNET and FreeAc, and particularly the B-UNA space (developed within the WISER project), which promotes the autonomy and holistic participation of migrant women in Palermo. The IMMERSED Training was a concrete act of transnational cooperation, a co-created lab of tools and good practices.
Curious about the upcoming IMMERSED training activities in six locations across Slovakia, Poland, and Romania?
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About IMMERSED
IMMERSED – Ensuring employment sustainability and financial resilience through a multi-layered model of well-being and immersion for Ukrainian Refugees in local communities is founded by ESF+ Social Innovation+ Initiative.
Partners
- Fundacja Innowacja i Wiedza (Poland, coordinator)
- Clovek V Ohrozeni (Slovakia)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- HEKS/EPER Switzerland (Romania)
Per ulteriori informazioni
Visita il sito immersed4work.org
Contatta Giulia De Santis, giulia.desantis@cesie.org.
