REFUGIN aims to improve the skills of education professionals and NGOs working with young refugees in order to promote their sustainable integration. It is based primarily on the creation of a European network (A2.1) that facilitates exchanges and enables the identification and dissemination of promising integration practices (A2.2 and A2.4). Next, an in-depth needs assessment was carried out using surveys, interviews, and focus groups (A3.1 & A3.2), then consolidated by an international panel of experts (A3.3), resulting in a synthesis report (A3.4). On this basis, tailor-made training modules are being developed (A4.1, A4.2, A4.3) to strengthen the pedagogical, intercultural, and psychosocial skills of practitioners and young refugees. At the same time, the project aimed to encourage and support the creation of inclusive communities through mentoring (A5.1) and intercultural dialogue activities (A5.2), thereby strengthening social cohesion and tolerance. REFUGIN thus pursues a dual ambition: to support the integration of refugees in the medium and long term and to strengthen the capacities of professionals, while promoting EU values.
Since 2015, European countries have faced increasing pressure due to the arrival of asylum seekers fleeing war zones. From 2021 onwards, this situation has worsened with the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan and the invasion of Ukraine. The integration of refugees has encountered numerous obstacles, including a lack of sustainable support mechanisms and persistent xenophobic attitudes. Young refugees have proven to be particularly vulnerable to these difficulties. In response, the REFUGIN project has focused on empowering practitioners in the field educators, psychologists, social workers by providing them with concrete tools to support refugees and encourage their inclusion, as well as on promoting more inclusive societies, in line with European Union guidelines and recommendations. These call for strengthening social inclusion, education, and the active participation of refugees, especially young people, in order to build resilient and supportive communities. REFUGIN provides a concrete example of how local and transnational initiatives can help meet the challenges of integration.