Strengthening refugee youth integration: A holistic, community-led approach

An IPS-partnered initiative is advancing Europe’s efforts to integrate youngsters in refugee-like situations through in-person training events that promote a communitarian and holistic approach - empowering refugees as active participants in their integration, while engaging civil society in fostering supportive, welcoming communities.

Individuals in refugee-like situations across Europe continue to face significant barriers to integration, despite the ongoing efforts of governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and civil society to improve their circumstances. The responsibility for adaptation is often placed solely on them, neglecting the fact that refugee integration must be a bidirectional process, shared between those seeking to integrate and the communities that receive them.

Addressing this very need, the IPS-partnered initiative REFUGIN aims to promote a dual, inclusive approach by empowering refugees as active participants in their integration journey while mobilising civil society to create supportive, welcoming environments through shared responsibility.

To achieve this, the initiative has organised a series of knowledge consolidation events aligned with the project’s training approach, focusing on three core modules: understanding the complex path of youngsters in refugee-like situations, exploring techniques and methods for effective integration, and strategies for working towards long-term integration.

The events complemented the project’s broader training approach by offering practical insights and hands-on experience. Benefiting from valuable exchanges among practitioners and experts from all partner countries, these knowledge consolidation events contributed to creating a collaborative environment where knowledge, strategies, and best practices were shared.

Laying the foundations for integration

The 1st knowledge consolidation event, held in Bucharest, Romania, laid the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the challenges in refugee integration. Discussions focused on several key areas, such as legal considerations and specificities. Disparities based on the country of origin were examined, alongside the lack of cohesion within the EU’s support systems. Participants were encouraged to critically reflect on Europe’s varied responses to refugee crises, with particular attention given to the differences in how the Ukrainian crisis was addressed.

A second critical focus was national realities, where greater emphasis was placed on the situation in Romania. Presentations showcased how national policies are implemented at the local level, underscoring the importance of building trust between individuals in refugee-like situations, case managers, and the host community. The situations in Poland and Portugal were also discussed to offer a comparative perspective.

REFUGIN's 1st Knowledge Consolidation Event, held in Bucharest, Romania

Another significant topic was how integration needs change over time. At first, the focus is on short-term essentials, such as housing, clothing, and food. However, as refugees settle, their needs shift toward long-term goals such as building a sense of belonging and finding ways to contribute to their new communities. This transition was highlighted as crucial for successful, lasting integration.

Finally, a living library exercise provided participants with the opportunity to share personal stories and engage in meaningful exchanges, fostering mutual understanding and empathy.

Practical methods to promote sustained integration

Taking place in Chisinau, Moldova, over three impactful days, the 2nd knowledge consolidation event gathered participants from civil society organisations and government representatives to share valuable insights and strategies aimed at improving refugee integration.

During the event, a focus was placed on positive conflict management, with an emphasis on trauma-informed approaches and care, to be integrated across the support system. Participants explored de-escalation techniques and restorative-led practices as essential tools for fostering a more harmonious and supportive environment for refugees.

REFUGIN's 2nd Knowledge Consolidation Event held in Chisinau, Moldova

A key takeaway was understanding that integration is not a short-term process. Given the evolving dynamics of forced migration, refugees are increasingly staying longer in host communities, making it clear that full integration takes around 10 years to become fully consolidated. This long-term perspective is crucial in guiding future integration efforts.

Participants also benefited from practical experiences, including a visit to the CCR offices and the Chisinau Temporary Accommodation Centre, managed by the General Inspectorate for Migration.

Interculturality and cooperation

The 3rd knowledge consolidation event, held in Budapest, Hungary, focused on the role of interculturality in refugee integration, particularly for youth, in an increasingly polarised social climate. Participants emphasised the importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue, challenging stereotypes, and fostering mutual respect and empathy as essential components of inclusive integration.

Hosting the event in Hungary – where migration discourse remains challenging – further underscored the critical role of civil society in promoting positive narratives and building local support networks.

As part of the programme, participants visited the Second Chance Sports Association, a local NGO that uses sport and the “fair play” method to connect vulnerable youth with social institutions. This practical experience demonstrated how non-formal education approaches can effectively contribute to integration.

Throughout the event, participants reaffirmed that intercultural exchange must be nurtured through meaningful encounters, that mutual understanding is built by moving beyond stereotypes, and that integration is fundamentally a process of participation and empowerment, requiring the active involvement of all stakeholders, including refugees themselves.

The event also featured a screening of a documentary by Tyagi Pallava, which highlighted the experiences of non-Ukrainian refugees during the Ukrainian crisis, bringing visibility to less visible displacement stories.

REFUGIN's 3rd Knowledge Consolidation Event, held in Budapest, Hungary

These training events played an important role in equipping civil society actors with the tools, knowledge, and perspectives needed to support holistic, long-term integration. By fostering collaboration across sectors and borders, they contribute to building more inclusive, resilient communities that recognise integration as a shared responsibility.