WISE Project Partners Hold First Community of Practice Meeting

08/05/2026

On 8 May 2025, WISE (Supporting Ukrainian Refugee Women’s Socio-Economic Integration and Wellbeing) ESF+ project partners gathered online for the first Community of Practice meeting, bringing together project partners, facilitators, psychologists, counsellors, and participants involved in the implementation of the Women Rise activities.

The Community of Practice meetings aim to create a space for exchange and reflection on emerging challenges, lessons learned, and good practices identified throughout the implementation of project activities. Discussions focus on outreach strategies, strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches, skills assessment and interest profiling, integrated action plans, referrals, and cooperation with service providers.

The meeting was hosted by the coordinator of the project – International Rescue Committee (IRC) and included participants from Bulgaria, Italy, Ukraine, supported by simultaneous Ukrainian-English interpretation provided by Animus Association Foundation (AAF) to ensure inclusive participation.

A central part of the discussion focused on the Women Rise psychosocial support groups and the experiences of facilitators working with Ukrainian women displaced by war. Participants shared reflections on building trust and safe spaces, adapting methodologies to local contexts, and supporting women through resource-based and strengths-oriented approaches.

Feride, a psychotherapist facilitating Women Rise sessions, highlighted the importance of non-verbal and mindfulness-based activities in creating safety and connection within the group. Participants also discussed challenges linked to integration, motherhood, language barriers, and the emotional impact of displacement and war.

Experiences from Italy demonstrated how local adaptations, including language learning, psychodrama, and cultural mediation, helped create supportive and trusted environments for participants.

The meeting also addressed sensitive issues related to identity, nationality, and inclusion within multicultural group settings, underlining the importance of trauma-informed and inclusive facilitation approaches.

The first Community of Practice meeting provided an important opportunity for peer learning, reflection, and mutual support among project partners and practitioners. Partners were invited to continue sharing experiences and suggestions for future sessions as the WISE project further develops its community-based psychosocial support methodologies.