The group discussions, which identified barriers and needs, translated abstract survey results into concrete, locally specific examples and challenges, helping define good practices. The discussion allowed academics to understand why and how specific interventions, such as IC Opora’s Counselling function effectively in real-world practice, beyond a theoretical model.
Workshop on Housing and Integration for Ukrainian Refugees
As a part of the Smart UA project on September 29, 2025, an expert workshop focusing on housing and the integration of Ukrainian refugees took place at Mariánska Hall in Trnava. The event featured presentations of Trnava University research results, group discussions, and expert panels on integration and mental health.
The workshop attended by 45 experts and representatives from various organizations. Participants included representatives of NGOs from six Slovak self-governing regions, state institutions, the Office of the Plenipotentiary for Civil Society, Labour, Social Affairs and Family Offices, the Ministry of Education, as well as representatives of the City of Trnava and the Trnava Self-Governing Region, along with several Ukrainian students.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the series of group discussions, where participants actively exchanged experiences and shared proposals for improving the integration process ensured that all these stakeholders engaged in joint problem-solving, which is the core of a successful multi-stakeholder approach. The insights processed by the Department of Sociology will form the basis for future collaborative policies and projects.
In conclusion, the “Housing and Integration” workshop in Trnava successfully met its objectives of providing valuable research data, sharing good practices, and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration. The discussions and insights generated throughout the day will continue to shape the development of integration policies and strategies for the housing support of the Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.