Problem addressed

UNITE responds to several challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees when rebuilding their lives in a new country: Loss of stability and networks — people arrive without their familiar support systems, professional contacts, or community ties. Uncertainty about career pathways — qualifications, labour‑market expectations, and job‑search processes differ significantly across EU countries. Language barriers — limited host‑country language skills reduce confidence and access to employment. Emotional strain and insecurity — even highly qualified individuals often experience self‑doubt after displacement and repeated job‑application rejections. Fragmented support systems — many refugees struggle to navigate services, training opportunities, and labour‑market information.

Innovative solution

The UNITE approach is inspired by an existing model developed by Folkuniversitetet Uppsala in Sweden, where Ukrainian refugees have been supported through mentoring, coaching, and workshops since shortly after the war began. The strong demand and positive outcomes in Sweden demonstrated the value of a holistic, individualised support system. This successful model became the foundation for the EU‑funded UNITE project now piloted in Austria, Germany, Poland, and Sweden.

UNITE introduces an innovative, holistic, and individualised support model, built on the principle that every story is different and every person needs something different. Key elements include: Individual Mentoring Mentors help participants manage uncertainties, rebuild confidence, and navigate everyday integration challenges. This one‑to‑one relationship provides emotional support and practical guidance. Targeted Coaching Coaches offer country‑specific job‑coaching — for example, understanding the Austrian labour market, recognising qualification pathways, preparing applications, and identifying realistic career options. Practical Workshops Workshops address essential integration topics such as digital skills, health, labour‑market orientation, and language cafés that help participants improve their host‑country language (e.g., German in Austria) in a relaxed, social setting. Holistic Approach UNITE combines emotional support, skills development, labour‑market preparation, and community‑building — ensuring that participants receive exactly what they need at each stage of their journey.

Key results and benefits

Across Austria, Germany, Poland, and Sweden, UNITE has already shown strong results: Clearer career direction Participants explore possible training pathways and understand how to pursue them in their host country. Several have chosen new vocational training routes and now know how to build their professional future. Successful job placements Many participants have found employment after receiving tailored career orientation, CV checks, and support with motivation letters. Reduced insecurity and increased confidence Even highly qualified individuals often arrive with significant self‑doubt. Through coaching, they regain clarity, confidence, and a sense of agency. Strengthened social and professional networks Workshops and group activities help participants connect with each other, reducing isolation and building supportive communities. Improved language and digital skills Language cafés and digital‑skills workshops help participants communicate more confidently and navigate everyday tasks and job‑search processes. A personalised path into life in Austria (and other pilot countries) UNITE helps each person find their way — professionally and personally — by offering the right support at the right moment.

Potential for mainstreaming

UNITE has strong potential for mainstreaming across Europe because its core methodology is not limited to Ukrainian refugees. The project’s holistic and individualised model — combining mentoring, coaching, and workshops — can be easily adapted to other migrant groups, jobseekers, or individuals facing labour‑market barriers. The pilot countries (Austria, Germany, Poland, Sweden) have shown that the needs addressed by UNITE — uncertainty, lack of networks, unfamiliar labour‑market systems, language barriers, and emotional strain — are shared by many other vulnerable groups. This makes the approach highly transferable. Many non‑Ukrainian participants expressed interest in similar support formats, especially mentoring, job‑coaching tailored to the host country, and low‑threshold workshops such as language cafés or digital‑skills sessions. Because UNITE builds on flexible, person‑centred tools, it can be integrated into existing labour‑market programmes, municipal services, NGOs, or adult‑education structures. Its modular design allows organisations to scale it up, combine it with other services, or embed it into long‑term integration strategies.