Employment Workshop Report: Employment of Ukrainian Displaced Persons in Slovakia

The workshop titled “From Research to Solutions: Employing Ukrainian Displaced Persons in Slovakia” was held on January 20, 2026, at the Mariánska sála in Trnava. The event was organized by the Family Help Center (CPPR – Centrum pomoci pre rodinu) and was attended by a total of 53 participants, including experts, institutional stakeholders, and Ukrainian displaced persons. The entire meeting was professionally moderated by Veronika Komissar from CPPR.

The primary objective was to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation by transforming the findings of the Trnava University research team into a concrete systemic action plan.

The event was opened by Mr. Wibowo Kristianto, a guest from JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service), who introduced the ESF project and its significance for the systemic support of displaced persons. The analytical foundation of the workshop was provided by the research team consisting of Martin Fero, PhD., Lenka Diener, PhD., and Dáša Ryšavá, who presented data on systemic gaps in housing and employment.

Within the working group focused on language adaptation, participants identified a critical mismatch between theoretical classroom education and the actual requirements of the workplace, particularly the lack of professional terminology. As a direct response to these challenges, the group proposed linking language instruction directly with practice through workplace mentoring and the development of specialized sector-specific courses.

These steps, implemented in cooperation between CPPR and the Lifestarter organization, will focus on increasing employability through more active employer engagement and the search for sustainable funding models to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors.

The parallel working group dedicated to retraining and the recognition of qualifications identified barriers such as unclear and expensive nostrification processes, the lack of a strategic framework, and insufficient childcare capacities. The agreed outcome is the delivery of a professional online seminar on qualification recognition in the second quarter of 2026, along with intensified awareness efforts for employers through information materials distributed by the Trnava Archdiocesan Charity and CPPR.

Solutions also include supporting integration centers and developing targeted one-to-one psychosocial aid. A possible facilitation in this area would be the launch of a digital booking system to address the identified need for mental health and family stability as a foundation for a successful transition into qualified positions.

In conclusion, participants agreed that successful integration requires a transition from emergency aid to structured, long-term cooperation. The outputs generated under the leadership of the Family Help Center (CPPR) thus provide a clear strategic roadmap for 2026, linking research data with targeted solutions.

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.