Language barriers remain the primary obstacle to student integration in Poland higher education institutions (OECD, 2022), while universities in Greece continue to lack comprehensive educational inclusion mechanisms (European University Association, 2023). Less than 30 % of academic staff in Greece and Lithuania have received formal training in inclusive education (EUA, 2023), while Ukrainian higher education institutions are operating at reduced capacity, with more than 70 % facing war-related disruptions (World Bank, 2023). This complex situation highlights the urgent need for a coordinated, cross-border initiative aimed at enhancing the ability of higher education institutions to support displaced students through structured, evidence-based solutions.
To address these challenges, a new Erasmus+ project “Bridges to Belonging: Integrating Ukrainian Students in European HEIs” has started. The project aims to design and pilot a comprehensive integration framework that improves the academic, social, and emotional well-being of Ukrainian students studying at European higher education institutions. The initiative brings together six organisations from four countries: Greece, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Poland.
The project will develop a comprehensive integration framework to help universities systematically organise the admission and support of displaced students. This framework will be piloted across several European higher education institutions, involving Ukrainian displaced students. Additionally, the project will focus on enhancing the competencies of academic staff by developing training modules and delivering capacity-building activities on inclusive pedagogy, cultural adaptation, psychological support, and working with displaced student groups. The project will also promote international cooperation between European and Ukrainian higher education institutions to develop long-term integration practices and policy recommendations. Furthermore, regional events and a final international conference will be organised, bringing together representatives from academia, policymakers, and civil society organisations.
