Problem addressed

Ukrainian refugees living in rural and underserved areas face compounded barriers to integration due to the absence or limited availability of essential services. Unlike urban settings, these areas often lack regular access to language courses, employment guidance, psychosocial support, childcare options, and community based integration activities. Geographic isolation, limited public transport, and fragmented local infrastructures further restrict participation in available support mechanisms.

Evidence from the project’s Needs Assessment indicates that refugees residing outside urban centres are significantly less likely to engage in learning or employment related activities, despite clear motivation to do so. The lack of nearby services increases social isolation, delays labour market integration, and exacerbates psycho emotional strain, particularly among women, caregivers, older persons, and individuals with reduced mobility. Fixed service provision models alone are insufficient to ensure equitable access across diverse territorial contexts.

Innovative solution

The Mobile Centres introduce a flexible, outreach based service delivery model designed to bring integrated support directly to rural and underserved areas where services are limited or unavailable. Rather than requiring refugees to travel long distances to access assistance, the Mobile Centres adapt the integrated hub model to local contexts by delivering services within accessible community spaces.

Mobile Centres operate through temporary setups in locations such as community halls, schools, municipal buildings, libraries, and other locally available venues. Trained facilitators and practitioners provide coordinated activities including language learning sessions, employment related guidance, psychosocial support, and community engagement initiatives. The services are delivered in a structured yet adaptable format, allowing responsiveness to local needs while maintaining consistent quality standards.

The innovation lies in combining mobility with integration. Mobile Centres are not isolated outreach actions but function as part of a coordinated ecosystem aligned with a clear Theory of Change and a structured Pilot Roll Out Plan. This ensures continuity between mobile and fixed services, effective referral pathways, and ongoing learning and adaptation.

Key results and benefits

For beneficiaries, the Mobile Centres significantly reduce geographical and logistical barriers to participation. Refugees gain access to learning and support opportunities close to where they live, lowering travel costs and time constraints while increasing sustained engagement. This contributes to improved language acquisition, greater confidence in navigating local systems, and enhanced psychosocial wellbeing.

For local communities, the Mobile Centres strengthen outreach capacity and foster inclusive local responses. By collaborating with municipalities, civil society organisations, and community actors, the model improves coordination, visibility, and trust in integration initiatives, even in areas with limited infrastructure.

At system level, the Mobile Centres demonstrate how flexible delivery mechanisms can complement fixed service provision. The approach provides a practical solution for regions where establishing permanent hubs is not feasible, while remaining aligned with broader integration strategies and policy objectives.

Potential for mainstreaming

The Mobile Centres model shows strong potential for mainstreaming within national and regional integration frameworks, particularly in territories characterised by dispersed populations or limited service availability. Its flexible structure allows public authorities and service providers to integrate mobile outreach into existing strategies without replacing fixed services.

By embedding Mobile Centres within coordinated local ecosystems and aligning them with policy priorities related to social inclusion, employment, and access to services, the approach can be institutionalised as a complementary mechanism for equitable service delivery. The model is adaptable to different territorial and demographic contexts, supporting replication and long term uptake across European settings.