Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine, millions of women and children have been displaced, facing heightened risks of social exclusion, discrimination, and limited access to essential services. Ukrainian mothers, children, and youth—particularly those from minority backgrounds such as Roma and Jewish communities—are especially vulnerable to protection risks, psychosocial distress, and barriers to integration in host countries.
In Moldova and Romania, many refugees live under temporary protection, often excluded from national social protection systems or unable to fully access services due to language, legal, or structural barriers. At the same time, host communities and local institutions face significant pressure in responding to increased needs.
Building on extensive experience in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, and Germany, OlamAid together with ZWST leverages strong community networks and culturally rooted partnerships to deliver targeted, inclusive, and sustainable support to displaced populations.
The project aims to strengthen protection, social inclusion, and empowerment for vulnerable Ukrainian refugees, with a particular focus on mothers, children, and minority groups in Moldova and Romania. Through community-based approaches and strong local partnerships, the initiative fosters resilience, mutual support, and meaningful engagement between refugee and host communities.
By combining psychosocial support, awareness-raising, and inclusion activities with institutional capacity building, the project addresses both immediate needs and long-term integration challenges. Activities are implemented in Refugee Accommodation Centres (RACs) and community hubs in Chișinău, Suceava, and Rădăuți, ensuring accessibility and continuity of support.
1. Protection & Social Inclusion
The project delivers outreach and inclusion activities for Ukrainian women and children, including Roma and Jewish communities, focusing on human rights, gender-based violence (GBV), and child protection. Mobile outreach sessions are conducted in Refugee Accommodation Centres across Moldova, while regular group activities take place in community hubs to promote resilience, psychosocial well-being, and social connection.
2. Community Engagement & Empowerment
Mentorship and community-building initiatives connect Ukrainian women and youth with peers and mentors from host communities, including Moldovan, Romanian, Jewish, and Roma participants. These activities foster leadership, participation, intercultural dialogue, and mutual understanding, strengthening social cohesion and reducing discrimination.
3. Development & Awareness
The project raises awareness on human rights, anti-discrimination, and inclusion through workshops and community events. Special focus is placed on addressing xenophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Roma sentiment, encouraging active participation of both refugee and host communities in building inclusive societies.
4. Capacity Building
Local organizations and volunteers receive ongoing training, supervision, and institutional support to enhance service delivery and sustainability. Capacity-building efforts focus on psychosocial support, protection services, and organizational development, ensuring long-term impact beyond the project duration.
Improving protection, inclusion, and empowerment of vulnerable Ukrainian mothers, children, and minority groups
Promoting social cohesion, community engagement, and intercultural exchange
Strengthening capacities of local organizations and volunteers for sustainable support systems
