How can we ensure that public services and support for people with migration and refugee experience are not only available, but also understandable, accessible, and responsive to their needs?

We explored this question through the SWEETIE: Supporting Women and Youth in Emergency with Environment of Trust in Europe project – implemented in Poland, Greece, and Italy. One of the project’s key elements was listening to the experiences of Ukrainian women and other people accessing support, and then comparing their perspectives with the experiences of public institutions, civil society organisations, employers, trade unions, and other local stakeholders.

During workshops and focus groups, we discussed, among other things, access to public services, administrative procedures, healthcare, education, housing, and employment. Participants highlighted barriers related to language, unclear procedures, lack of information, long waiting times, and the need to navigate different services that were often insufficiently coordinated.

At the same time, the workshops demonstrated the important role that support networks, peer mentoring, people who assist individuals in dealing with institutions, and civil society organisations can play. However, their role should not replace the responsibility of institutions to provide clear, accessible, and equitable services.

Based on the experiences gathered and our collaborative work with local stakeholders, we developed recommendations on, among other things:

  • increasing the transparency and accessibility of administrative procedures,
  • strengthening institutional capacities and resources,
  • improving service coordination and referral systems,
  • providing clear information in multiple languages,
  • developing services that take gender perspectives and women’s experiences into account,
  • supporting stable housing, education, and social integration,
  • improving access to decent employment and strengthening the protection of workers’ rights.

We have compiled these recommendations in the report From Access to Inclusion. Key Findings and Recommendations from the SWEETIE Project.

Read the report: From Access to Inclusion. Key Findings and Recommendations from the SWEETIE Project

The report shows that effective integration does not end with the formal granting of the right to access a service. It is equally important that people understand where and how to seek help, can count on appropriate support, and see their experiences reflected in the design of services. We invite you to read the full report and explore the key recommendations of the SWEETIE project!

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.