The main objective of the project was to strengthen the preparedness and capacity of schools to integrate refugee and migrant students—especially those from Ukraine—into the educational system. Our aim was to create a supportive, safe, and inclusive environment that meets the emotional, cultural, and educational needs of these children. Through the project, we aimed to: Enhance teachers’ competencies in working with traumatized students and managing diversity, Develop and pilot practical tools, methodologies, and training programs for educators, Raise awareness within the community about the importance of inclusion and refugee support, Strengthen cooperation between schools, local authorities, parents, and NGOs, Create a model of good practice that is sustainable and transferable to other regions or future migration waves. Additionally, we wanted refugee students to feel accepted, respected, and motivated to participate in education and integrate into their new society. We also sought to learn from more experienced partners and apply their insights in our teaching practices to improve the overall school environment and integration outcomes.
We were motivated to submit the application by a combination of social challenges and needs that we had been observing in practice. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, our school admitted the highest number of Ukrainian students in the region. Many of these children arrived traumatized, without knowledge of the Slovak language and without systemic support. Our teachers faced new and demanding challenges that required a sensitive approach to childhood trauma, overcoming language barriers, and understanding cultural differences. We saw the project as an opportunity for training, methodological support, and the creation of a safe, inclusive environment for all students. The goal was also to strengthen cooperation with parents and the community, and to draw inspiration from international experiences. The school support team – a psychologist and special education teachers – systematically worked with both students and staff. The project helped align their professional capacities with the school's needs and expand support toward parents as well. Our ambition was to become a more open, resilient, and better-prepared school, capable of responding to crisis situations and providing quality support to all students without exception.