Within the HumanityHub project, we have completed the first implementation cycle of the psychosocial support programme with the first group of Ukrainian participants in Croatia. This was an important and meaningful phase for both the participants and the facilitators. HumanityHub is a transnational project focused on addressing the economic and social integration challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in Croatia and Italy. The project combines psychosocial support and cultural orientation, entrepreneurial education, and peer support for employability opportunities, with the aim of strengthening resilience, self-sufficiency, and community cohesion.
The programme that was implemented with this first group is based on Deliverable D6.1, Developed training program and guidelines + training materials for active career planning through education, employment/self-employment. In D6.1, the training programme Small Steps to Success is presented as the first draft, pre-evaluation version of the curriculum. It was developed as a structured and interactive programme to support people from Ukraine in navigating life in Croatia, while also strengthening employability, social inclusion, and self-advocacy. The curriculum includes 24 workshops organised into four modules: group formation and development of group cohesion, intrapersonal skills, self-advocacy skills, and job-seeking skills.
In practice, the work with the first group confirmed how important this kind of support is. At the beginning, the focus was on getting to know each other, building trust, and creating a safe and supportive group space. Through the following weeks, participants worked on topics such as identity, self-esteem, coping with stress, self-presentation, teamwork, assertiveness, and communication skills in both private and professional contexts. After the first half of the programme, it was already clear that the group had built connection and trust, which created a good basis for further experiential learning and the strengthening of social skills
A total of 11 refugees from Ukraine took part in this first cycle. Over the course of eight weeks, the group gradually became more connected, open, and supportive of one another. The final workshops were especially emotional, as participants had already developed strong mutual trust and closeness through intensive interactive work. Based on participants’ feedback and the concrete changes noticed in their everyday lives, this first cycle showed the value of a structured psychosocial support programme that connects personal empowerment with social and professional activation.
This first implementation is also very important for the next phase of the project. The experience gained through the work with the first group will directly contribute to the further development of a practical and meaningful support tool for Ukrainian refugees.
We are very grateful to all participants for their trust, openness, and courage.
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