The visit of the College of Commissioners to Ukraine on 2 February 2023 shows the Commission stands by Ukraine, and will continue to offer support – including through EU cohesion funds.
The Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) makes it possible for funding from REACT-EU to provide vital aid for people from Ukraine. Thanks to CARE, €4 million from REACT EU were allocated to Germany’s ‘Employment pilot for Refugees’ project in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate to help Ukrainians integrate into German society. The pilot is part of a programme launched on 1 July 2022, with six projects across the state. Services are provided in Rheinland-Pfalz Donnersberg, Kusel, Koblenz, Rhine-Hunsrück, Bernkastel-Wittlich and Bitburg-Prüm.
First steps toward integration
Ukrainian refugees often lack sufficient knowledge of local support structures. The project therefore focuses on helping people overcome the many barriers they face upon arrival – such as the lack of childcare, the search for housing or a language courses. The employment pilots provide tailored support and advice on how to best navigate social services. Displaced people from Ukraine get also help with direct applications to municipal services across the country, and receive assistance with many administrative issues – such as creating a CV or finishing a residency, medical or housing application.
Making a safe move into a job
After making sure families are safe and stable, the centres assist adults in finding suitable employment. Skills mapping is a critical step in ensuring individuals get opportunities from employment agencies or job centres that provide services to them. Once a list of competences has been established that reflects an individual’s capabilities, the local job centre or the employment agency are contacted to further assist with help in applying for a job.
Building Capacity
The primary goal of the pilot is to create regional structures to support training and labour-market integration. In order to ensure that the pilot’s work is effective, intensive networking and collaboration is therefore required between the project and a raft of other services – such as migration specialist services, qualification recognition services, statutory agencies and welcome migration centres. The success of projects like this will be key to ensuring that people fleeing the war in Ukraine will thrive in their host countries.
