From Community Needs to Systemic Change: Strengthening the Participation of Ukrainian and Other Foreign Communities in Slovakia

In recent years, Slovakia has become an increasingly diverse society due to the large influx of refugees after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the growing number of labour migrants arriving in response to changes in the country’s economic landscape. Despite these developments, the participation and representation of Ukrainian and other foreign communities in public life remains limited as only a small number of them have established formal or informal structures.

As a result, many Ukrainian and other foreign communities lack the capacity and experience to systematically identify their needs and engage with public institutions in decision-making processes. As such, their voices are often absent from discussions and policy making processes directly affecting their lives. At the same time, there is a lack of systematic approaches to community organising among Ukrainian and foreign communities in Slovakia. Few mechanisms exist to support community leadership, strengthen civic participation, or create sustainable channels for dialogue between communities, local authorities, and other stakeholders.

The project addresses these challenges by combining community organising, participation, and advocacy. It aims to strengthen the capacities of community representatives and members to identify needs, develop solutions, organise collective action, and engage in advocacy processes. Through capacity-building activities, local initiatives, community-led needs assessments and dialogue with decision-makers, the project will create the foundations for more visible, organised, and active Ukrainian and other foreign communities in Slovakia.

Ultimately, the project seeks not only to strengthen individual communities but also to increase their participation in public life and their ability to advocate for their needs at the local and national levels thus ensuring that Ukrainian and other foreign communities become recognised and active members of Slovak society.

The project aims to strengthen the capacities, participation, and advocacy skills of Ukrainian and other foreign communities in Slovakia through a community organising approach that empowers community members to identify their needs, develop solutions, and actively engage in public life.

It starts with the recruitment of community organisers representing Ukrainian and foreign communities in Bratislava, Nitra, and Košice who will participate in capacity-building trainings focused on a variety of topics and skills (e.g. community organising, advocacy, communication, and civic participation). These community organisers will then conduct regular outreach within their communities, build networks of community members, and facilitate community engagement activities.

Through community-led events, the community organisers will collect the needs, challenges, and priorities of their communities. Based on these findings, they will prepare regular reports and support the development of community-led recommendations which will feed into advocacy meetings and initiatives with local authorities, public institutions, and NGOs. As such, the project will develop evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving integration policies at local and national levels.

A key component will be the development of a community organising methodology and strategic document that captures lessons learned, good practices, and recommendations for strengthening the participation of Ukrainian and other foreign communities. This output will serve as a practical tool for Mareena and other NGOs and municipalities interested in applying community organising approaches in their work.

Overall, the project will contribute to trained community organisers, strengthened community networks, community-led events, needs assessment reports, a set of policy and advocacy recommendations, a community organising methodology and strategic document, and a series of advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities.

The project aims to contribute to more visible and active Ukrainian and other foreign communities in Slovakia that are better equipped to identify their needs and advocate for solutions at the local and national levels.

The primary beneficiaries will be members of foreign communities in Bratislava, Nitra, and Košice, including refugees from Ukraine. Community organisers and active community members will gain practical skills and as a result, they will be better prepared to mobilise themselves, engage with public institutions, and represent community interests. A key outcome is the creation of stronger community networks and increased participation of community members in local initiatives, public discussions, and advocacy activities. Through community-led needs assessments and consultations, communities will have better opportunities to shape discussions on issues affecting their lives and contribute to local and national solutions.

The project also targets municipalities, public institutions, and NGOs working in the field of migration and inclusion. Via evidence-based recommendations and dialogue with community representatives, these stakeholders will gain a better understanding of the needs and priorities of Ukrainian and other foreign communities and will be better positioned to develop inclusive policies and services.

At the organisational level, the project will strengthen Mareena’s capacity to work with Ukrainian and other foreign communities through the development of a community organising methodology and strategic document. This tool will support the sustainability and scaling of community organising approaches both within Mareena and among other organisations and municipalities across Slovakia.

In the longer term, the project will contribute to more inclusive and participatory local communities in Slovakia, where foreigners are recognised as active members of society and have opportunities to influence decisions affecting their lives.