PUENTE Project has reached an important milestone with the completion of its multiplier events, a series of local meetings designed to bring the project closer to professionals, educators, institutions and organisations working to support the inclusion of Ukrainian refugees across Europe.
Through these events, PUENTE Project partners have shared the project’s results, opened spaces for exchange and strengthened cooperation among people and organisations committed to inclusive, person-centred support. Under the shared aim of promoting non-formal education as a bridge towards inclusion, the events connected health, social care and education professionals, university communities, local institutions and civil society organisations.
Building on the first multiplier events in Rome and Krakow, the final meetings in Madrid, Barcelos and Linz highlighted the diversity of approaches across the partnership — from professional training and psychosocial support to community coordination, accessibility and lived experience. Across the events for which attendance figures are available, more than hundreds people took part, reflecting the strong commitment of the PUENTE network to supporting Ukrainian displaced people through shared learning and cooperation.
Rome and Krakow: setting the tone for shared learning
The first multiplier events, already presented in the article “Rome and Krakow host the first multiplier events”, set the tone for the final stage of dissemination. In Rome, 40 health, social and education professionals took part in an event focused on the practical contribution of PUENTE to the inclusion of Ukrainian refugees.
One of the most meaningful moments in the Italian event was the use of laughter yoga exercises at both the beginning and the end of the session — a good practice that reminded participants of the importance of creating trust, emotional connection and a positive atmosphere in learning spaces.
In Poland, PUENTE was presented through several dissemination activities, including the event at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, meetings with students and social welfare specialists, the “Miodobranie-Miodogranie” integration event and a webinar with the European Social Inclusion Group. These activities helped bring the project’s results to future education professionals, social workers, family assistants, psychologists and educators, creating a valuable link between PUENTE’s resources and the Polish education and welfare systems.
Spain: Madrid brings together training, reception and lived experience
In Spain, the event “Building Bridges: training, inclusion and reception of refugees from Ukraine” took place in Madrid on 26 June, at the San Juan de Dios – Province of Spain headquarters. Organised by the consortium of Fundación Hospitalarias and San Juan de Dios – Province of Spain (Centro San Juan de Dios de Ciempozuelos, Fundación Juan Ciudad & Fundación Hospitalarias Valladolid), the meeting focused on training, inclusion and reception as key dimensions of support for Ukrainian refugees.
The programme included an institutional welcome, a presentation of the PUENTE Project, a first-person testimony from a Ukrainian woman welcomed in Spain, a conversation among psychology professionals on forced displacement, trauma, adaptation and social integration, and the presentation of the PUENTE training course and Good Practice Manual.
The testimony shared in Madrid was closely connected to the story of Kira Ponomarenko, a young Ukrainian refugee supported by Fundación Hospitalarias Valladolid. Her experience reminds us that inclusion is not only about administrative support or access to services, but also about rebuilding a life project with dignity, emotional accompaniment and real opportunities. As Kira explained, “home is no longer a physical place, but my mother and I together” — a powerful message about belonging, resilience and the human dimension of reception.
Austria: Linz highlights accessibility, trauma-informed support and identity
The Austrian multiplier event took place in Linz on 30 June, bringing together professionals working with Ukrainian displaced people. Organised by the Health Centre for Deaf People of Bruder Linz, the networking meeting introduced PUENTE’s objectives, activities and contribution to inclusion, while also looking back at the training course and the practical methods, experiences and competences developed by participants.
One course participant, Martin Gebetsberger, reflected on how the training helped him better understand trauma and its impact on behaviour:
“The course really made me think, especially the topic of trauma. In the past, I often didn’t understand why some Ukrainian displaced persons behaved differently or reacted unusually to certain situations. Through the training, I realised that many of them have gone through severe traumatic experiences. That’s why they need time, understanding, and patience. At the same time, it’s important that, despite all the challenges, we also convey joy, humor, and a positive atmosphere.”
The event was also especially meaningful thanks to the participation of Andrii Misiura, a Deaf Ukrainian refugee who came to Austria and is now a colleague and expert supporting the organisation’s work. His testimony brought a powerful reflection on identity, belonging and personal growth:
“Ukraine is one part of me. Austria is another part. And both parts are real. Here, communication comes more easily to me: less aggression, less drama and chaos, more respect for personal boundaries, more calm, clarity, and serenity. In this stillness, I’ve rediscovered myself. I haven’t lost my identity — I’ve expanded it.”
Andrii’s experience reflects one of PUENTE’s core messages: inclusion is not about asking people to leave part of themselves behind. It is about creating spaces where every person can participate fully, with all dimensions of their identity recognised.
Portugal: Barcelos connects PUENTE with local community action
In Barcelos, Portugal, PUENTE was presented on 30 June during the Sessão Plenária Extraordinária do Conselho Local de Ação Social de Barcelos. The session brought together institutional partners of the Local Council for Social Action to strengthen coordination, planning and evaluation of local social interventions.
The event, held in Portuguese and featuring Dra. Ana Guimarães as speaker, created a space for public and private entities working on social development, poverty reduction and the prevention of social exclusion to exchange information and reinforce cooperation. Its connection with PUENTE lies in a shared commitment to inclusive community action, institutional collaboration and support for people in vulnerable situations, including displaced and refugee communities.
What’s coming next
With the multiplier events now completed, PUENTE Project is preparing the launch of a new set of practical, multilingual resources for adult educators, social carers and organisations working with Ukrainian refugees across Europe. These materials will be available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, German and Italian.
The upcoming resources will include the PUENTE complete course, the Good Practices Handbook, the Integration of Ukrainian Refugees publication and a practical refugee inclusion assessment tool designed to help organisations review their inclusion practices, identify strengths and prioritise improvements. Find out more here: What’s coming to PUENTE Project
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