SMART UA - Slovakia
Supporting Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia through research, local cooperation and practical pathways to employment, skills development and social inclusion.
Our work in the country
In Slovakia, SMART UA combines research, multi-stakeholder cooperation and practical support to strengthen the inclusion of Ukrainian refugees, with a focus on housing and employment. The project examines barriers affecting access to stable accommodation and suitable work, while bringing together local authorities, researchers, civil society, employment actors and Ukrainian communities to identify more coordinated responses.
Alongside this research and dialogue, Ukrainian refugees receive practical support to strengthen their pathways into the labour market, including skills assessment, Slovak-language learning, digital and IT training, soft-skills development, self-employment support, career guidance and mentoring. Particular attention is also given to challenges such as qualification recognition and access to employment matching people’s existing skills and experience.
SMART UA partners in Slovakia
SMART UA is implemented in Slovakia by the Family Help Center (CPPR) and LifeStarter, together with associated partners Trnava University, the City of Trnava and Personal Service. Together, they connect direct support for Ukrainian refugees with academic research, labour-market expertise and local public services.
Research & Evidence in Slovakia
SMART UA research in Slovakia examined both the systems supporting refugee inclusion and the experiences of Ukrainians navigating housing and employment. Stakeholder mapping, market analysis, surveys and consultations helped identify barriers, gaps and promising practices that could inform practical support and stakeholder dialogue.
Housing Stakeholder Mapping
The housing stakeholder mapping identifies the main organisations, institutions and local actors supporting Ukrainian refugees with housing in Slovakia, examining the services they provide, how they cooperate and where gaps remain. The report highlights the strong role of local and community-based actors, alongside challenges such as limited affordable housing, insufficient funding, fragmented coordination and the lack of a comprehensive national strategy.
READ THE FULL REPORT.
Employment Stakeholder Mapping
The employment stakeholder mapping examines the organisations and institutions supporting Ukrainian refugees’ access to the Slovak labour market, looking at available services, cooperation between actors and existing gaps. It highlights the importance of NGOs, faith-based organisations and local authorities, while identifying language barriers, qualification recognition, childcare, limited coordination and unstable funding as key challenges to sustainable labour-market inclusion.
READ THE FULL REPORT.
Housing Report
How can stable housing become the foundation for successful integration? This report explores the housing experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, examining access to affordable accommodation, the challenges faced by families and vulnerable groups, and the support mechanisms that promote long-term stability. It also highlights good practices and recommendations to strengthen inclusive and sustainable housing policies.
READ THE FULL REPORT.
Labour Market Report
What helps refugees turn professional experience into new opportunities? This report explores the integration of Ukrainian refugees into the Slovak labour market, examining employment opportunities, barriers such as language and qualification recognition, and the support mechanisms that foster inclusion. Through good practices and policy recommendations, it highlights pathways towards sustainable employment and long-term social and economic integration.
READ THE FULL REPORT.
Cooperation & Workshops
HOUSING WORKSHOP
The SMART UA “Housing and Integration” workshop in Trnava brought together public institutions, local authorities, civil society organisations, researchers and members of the Ukrainian community to discuss housing and integration challenges in Slovakia. The workshop combined research findings with practical experience, shared good practices in areas such as language learning, counselling and psychosocial support, and used group discussions to identify barriers, needs and possible solutions for more coordinated and sustainable support.
EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP
The SMART UA employment workshop in Slovakia brought together 53 experts, institutional stakeholders and Ukrainian displaced persons to turn research findings into practical solutions for labour-market inclusion. Discussions focused on language adaptation, workplace mentoring, retraining, recognition of qualifications, childcare and psychosocial support, with participants developing concrete proposals to strengthen cooperation between public institutions, employers and civil society and improve access to sustainable employment.
Voices from Slovakia
Behind the research and activities of SMART UA are the experiences of people rebuilding their lives in Slovakia. These testimonies show how access to skills, support and opportunities can contribute to greater confidence, independence and inclusion.
Articles
Explore stories, updates and reflections from SMART UA in Romania, from project activities and research to the experiences of Ukrainian refugees and partners.
Workshop on Employment for Ukrainian Refugees in Slovakia
A multi-stakeholder workshop exploring employment barriers, qualification recognition and practical recommendations to strengthen labour market integration for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia.
Employment Workshop Report: Employment of Ukrainian Displaced People in Slovakia
A workshop connecting research with practical solutions on language adaptation, retraining, qualification recognition and longer-term employment pathways.
Workshop on Housing and Integration for Ukrainian Refugees
A national workshop bringing together research, good practices and stakeholder perspectives on housing, integration and support for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia.
Enhancing Housing Access for Ukrainian Refugees in Slovakia: Innovative Approaches
Research findings on housing barriers, institutional responses and promising approaches to improving stable and affordable housing access for Ukrainian refugees.
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.