How the SMART UA Project helps Ukrainians in Romania?

Courses that support integration 

Ukrainians in Romania first need shelter and safety—then opportunities to rebuild stability, confidence in their future, and self-belief. Many of these are now becoming more achievable. Within the SMART UA project, implemented by the JRS Romania team in partnership with several European organizations, training and information courses for adults have already begun. They open a new path for Ukrainians toward personal and professional development. 

What is SMART UA? 

Simply put, it’s an innovative initiative that supports the integration of Ukrainian refugees in Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. The project is coordinated by JRS Europe (Belgium) in partnership with 11 organizations. Its main goal is to help people forced to leave their homes regain balance, stability, and real opportunities for growth. Special attention is given to women with children, older people, and persons with disabilities—groups that often face the biggest obstacles in finding housing, employment, or adapting to a new environment. 

What we see in Romania 

From the very first stage of implementation, Ukrainians have been taking part in the training programs very actively. They attend courses regularly, ask questions, and seek advice—clear signs that these needs are still unmet. JRS Romania runs activities that build knowledge and practical skills, as well as educational programs tailored to real needs, including: 

Information sessions on housing and work to make legal and administrative issues easier to navigate: 

Housing — how to rent safely, what to check before signing a lease, how to protect your rights, and how to handle documents correctly when buying property. 

Self-employment — how to start a small business, choose the best tax regime, prepare the required documentation, and calculate registration costs. 

Education and skills courses: 

Languages (English and Romanian) — the key to integration, access to jobs, communication, and self-confidence. 

IT — an opportunity to gain modern professional skills and access the global job market, including remote work. 

In addition, participants develop personal and professional skills (soft skills)—communication, teamwork, leadership, emotional intelligence, and stress management. These abilities are needed in almost any field and help people integrate into a new community. 

Our approach 

We believe personal development is a real step toward better—and not just temporary—integration. Through this project, we aim to offer new perspectives for the future. Overall, SMART UA seeks to build durable solutions that can be scaled up—something only possible through collaboration with local authorities, social services, research centers, and providers of housing and employment.

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.