Both universities are located in regions with high migrant growth. Both are so-called regional institutions, offering a basic range of fields of study. At the time of application, UWB recorded around 200 students from Ukraine enrolled in bachelor's and follow-up study programs, with a very similar situation at the TUKE. The number of applicants for studies during the academic years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 ranged in the hundreds. Both schools are open to any assistance; already at the time of application, they offered a variety of activities that emerged spontaneously and were not anchored in the organizational structures.The aim of the project was to create support services to ensure an inclusive environment at universities and to gain a broader perspective on how to better support and communicate with the target group. With the help of students from both universities and local communities, we contributed to the development of skills and the creation of a sustainable, safe, and inclusive environment in higher education. We focused on the use of storytelling, offering opportunities for non-violent forms of education, and acquainting students with the history, present, culture, politics, and other aspects of their "alternative home.
The UWB and TUKE joined forces 2 years ago. Due to migration events caused by Russia's war aggression in Ukraine, they decided to apply for a grant aimed at providing effective assistance to Ukrainian students and young people migrating to the CZ a SK. The situation in both cities was challenging. Existing students at the universities dealt with, among other things, supporting their relatives in Ukraine, assistance with relocation to safety, and even facing difficult loss situations. Newly arrived young people (high school students, future university applicants) struggled with the necessary adaptation to a new environment, sought support networks, made friends, overcame cultural differences, and at the same time coped with longing for their families and sought support in dealing with emotional and academic challenges. The project also targeted university staff who faced entirely new work challenges in this context. The project focused on fostering international cooperation among universities to share best practices, establish effective support mechanisms, provide counseling, and combat migration stigma.