October 31, 2025
News
Caritas Poland, in cooperation with other Caritas organisations from Central and Eastern Europe, has issued a final report prepared within the Ukraine Refugee Response Learning Platform (URRLP). The report presents key findings and recommendations drawn from more than three years of providing assistance to people who have fled the war in Ukraine.
Caritas Czech Republic has been part of the platform since its very beginning. Alongside Caritas Poland, which served as the main coordinator, the project also involved Caritas organisations from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
The Platform was created as a space for sharing knowledge, experience and practical solutions related to responding to the refugee crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. It focused on the following five key thematic areas:
Employment and livelihoods
Caritas programmes support refugees and internally displaced people not only in finding work but also in developing the necessary skills to navigate legal systems, overcome language barriers, recognise their own qualifications, and protect themselves from exploitation in the labour market. Emphasis is also placed on promoting the employment of people in vulnerable positions, as well as on early inclusion of women into the labour market.
Education
The report calls for significant support for school integration – including compulsory attendance, language courses, psychosocial assistance, and stronger cooperation among schools, the non-profit sector and parents. It also points out the need for developing teaching methods for language learning and for working with children affected by trauma, as well as the necessity of ensuring sufficient school capacity to prevent isolation and fragmentation in education.
Safe return
This area covers support for refugees who decide to return to Ukraine – in particular, it discusses counselling and assistance with housing, employment, and psychosocial support during the reintegration process. The report warns against premature or forced returns, which can lead to further endangerment and human trafficking. It also points to the unclear future legal status of those who decide to remain in host countries.
Psychosocial support
This area focuses on providing professional assistance, group activities, community centres, trauma support and prevention of staff burnout. Particular attention is given to making services accessible for both children and adults, and to developing community and digital services that ensure availability even in remote areas.
Individual support (Case management)
Caritas workers help refugees solve complex social situations – from securing housing, legal assistance, and healthcare to supporting integration into local communities. Individual and long-term work with clients is of great importance, including contact with authorities and other relevant services.
Through regular meetings, study visits and joint analyses, the national Caritas organisations listed above have formulated concrete conclusions, recommendations and examples of good practice. These can serve not only as a guide for future humanitarian work in the region, but also as a basis for joint effort in advocacy at both the national and European level.
The report was officially presented on 16 October 2025 in Brussels during an event attended by representatives of Caritas organisations, EU institutions, non-governmental organisations and partners. The gathering offered an opportunity to evaluate the humanitarian response thus far, and to present key recommendations for the future, especially in light of the upcoming end of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees.
The Platform’s final report is now available online!
It is not only a summary of joint efforts, but also a practical tool offering recommendations for building a more cohesive and safer future for Ukrainian refugees.
