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Every year on 20 June, the world marks World Refugee Day, dedicated to millions of people who have been forced to leave their homes due to war, persecution, violence, or human rights violations. While statistics help us understand the scale of forced displacement, less attention is often paid to what happens after people arrive in a new country – the process of integrating into society and rebuilding their lives.

A deeper understanding of these processes was provided by the international project Inclusive CEE: Challenges and Integration of Ukrainian Forced Migrants in Secondary Cities in Central and Eastern Europe, implemented by partners from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Ukraine. The project examined the experiences of Ukrainian refugees living in Košice, Brno, Kraków, Poznań, Miskolc, and Uzhhorod, with particular attention to the factors that support or hinder their integration into local communities. 

The findings showed that integration does not take place solely through public policies and institutional measures. Everyday interactions, social relationships, trust, and opportunities for active participation in community life play an equally important role. In many cases, local governments, schools, employers, civil society organisations, and volunteers became key actors in supporting newcomers and fostering their inclusion.

“Integration cannot be reduced merely to access to housing, employment, healthcare, or education,” explains Jana Papcunová from the Institute of Social Sciences of the Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. “Equally important is whether people feel accepted, have opportunities to build social connections, and are able to actively participate in society. A sense of belonging significantly influences how refugees perceive their future in their new country.” 

Anna Mukhina, who first joined the project as a student and is now a PhD candidate in psychology at the Institute of Social Sciences  CSPS SAS, highlights the importance of active participation. According to her, refugees should not be viewed solely as recipients of support, but also as individuals with valuable experiences, skills, and the potential to contribute to the development of the communities in which they live. The research showed that many refugees are eager to engage in community life, participate in decision-making processes, and help shape the environments in which they reside.

The project also identified several persistent challenges. Among the most common were language barriers, difficulties in accessing housing, recognition of qualifications, availability of mental health services, and a lack of opportunities for meaningful participation in community life. Despite these obstacles, participants repeatedly emphasised the importance of solidarity, volunteer initiatives, and support from local communities in helping them rebuild their lives.

The findings further confirmed that mid-sized cities in the V4 region play a significant role in the integration of forcibly displaced people. It is at the local level that solutions emerge, helping people navigate unfamiliar environments, build social connections, and gradually become part of the local community. 

World Refugee Day is therefore not only an opportunity to remember the difficult experiences of people forced to leave their homes. It is also a moment to recognise their resilience, adaptability, and contributions to society, while acknowledging the vital role of communities that create the conditions for successful integration.

One of the outputs of the Inclusive CEE project is a video in which members of the international research team present the project’s key findings and reflect on their experiences researching the integration of Ukrainian refugees in cities across Central and Eastern Europe. Through the perspectives of researchers from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Ukraine, the video highlights the importance of local communities, the challenges of integration processes, and the role of cities in creating inclusive environments for people forced to leave their homes.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, we invite you to watch the video and learn more about the insights generated by the project into the integration of Ukrainian refugees in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Inclusive CEE project was supported by the International Visegrad Fund (Project No. 22330013).