The war in Ukraine has displaced millions of people, forcing them to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. Olena was among them. Thanks to the ‘Przystań Centre for Social Integration in Łapy project’, by the Vita Familiae Foundation, she was able to start a new life in the Polish town of Łapy in the Podlaskie border region.

Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the project was initially developed to help unemployed Polish people to find work, having successfully helped 90 Polish residents find jobs. However, with the onset of war, it was expanded, thanks to the opportunities provided by the Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE), to support 20 Ukrainians who are rebuilding their life in Poland.

For Olena, the project has been a real blessing. She explains: ‘This country helped me a lot at a difficult time, and I fell in love with Poland.’

Only 19 years old and with little work experience, Oleksandra also fled Ukraine. She says: ‘Fleeing the war, I arrived in Poland without a livelihood.’ Fortunately, the project supported her to start a new life and find a job.

The project works to rebuild lives by assigning each person a psychologist, social worker, tutor, and career counsellor. These professionals develop individualised support plans for each refugee.

‘Thanks to my participation in the project,’ explains Oleksandra, ‘I gained self-confidence and I already know that I will manage in the Polish labour market. After two months, I will leave the project and start working.’

Olena and Oleksandra had to leave everything behind, so the ESF-funded project helps also to cover basic needs such as clothes and food. They receive employment-related support as well, such as reimbursement for travel costs, health & safety training, occupational health examinations, accident insurance, and a contribution towards their living costs.

Apart from the practical support, the project helps the refugees to meet other Ukrainians who share similar experiences.

‘[The] classes not only enabled me to find a job, but also to improve my Polish language skills, and to make contact with other Ukrainians,’ says Oleksandra.

Olena also appreciates the opportunity the project gave her to meet fellow Ukrainians, saying, ‘[Like other refugees] who are in the same situation as me […] we have found shelter. Together we are trying to survive the most difficult moments, constantly thinking about our homeland and waiting for a quick end to the war.’

At the very least, thanks to the project, Olena, Oleksandra and 18 other Ukrainians have now found a degree of stability.