The joint project "Quality Education and Welfare for Children in Vulnerable Life Situations: Developing and Assuring Staff Competences for Holistic Support Systems in Ukraine, Poland, and Sweden", has officially been awarded funding under the SI program, marking a significant achievement for the consortium of partners. This collaborative initiative aims to enhance the capacity of educators and support staff to provide holistic care for children in vulnerable situations across the three countries. The first meeting of the project in Lublin, Poland brought together participants from Örebro University, Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, and Bogdan Khmelnytsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University, setting the stage for a productive collaboration.
The meeting began with a warm welcome and presentation, where Thomas Barow from Örebro University, Olha Bilozir and Kateryna Bondar from Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University, Dorota Chimicz and Ann Prokopiak from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, and Yeven Topalov and Hanna Varina from Bogdan Khmelnytsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University introduced themselves and outlined their roles within the project. Discussions focused on essential routines for project management, including the overall organisation, establishment of a steering group, and administrative protocols, as well as financial management related to expenses.
A key topic of concern was the unique challenges faced by schools in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, amid the ongoing conflict. The discussion emphasized the urgent need to address gaps in educational and welfare support systems for children in these war-affected areas. Plans were made to establish national reference groups in Ukraine, Poland, and Sweden, which will guide the project in aligning its activities with local needs.
The consortium also set out the framework for conducting needs analyses, focusing on gathering insights from parents and professionals in the three countries. This will provide a foundation for the project’s development and ensure that interventions are tailored to the specific requirements of vulnerable children and their families. Ethical approval processes in Ukraine, Poland, and Sweden were also discussed, a crucial step in ensuring the project's compliance with international standards.
In addition to the formal discussions, participants enjoyed a visit to Primary School № 58 in Lublin provided valuable insights into the local education system, and reflection on the visit highlighted the importance of cross-national learning in addressing the needs of vulnerable children.
The meeting concluded with discussions on dissemination strategies to ensure the project’s impact is widespread, and plans for an online conference were established. The next steps were clearly outlined, and open questions were addressed, ensuring all participants were aligned on the project's future direction. This first meeting marks the beginning of an essential partnership to improve the quality of education and welfare for vulnerable children in Ukraine, Poland, and Sweden.
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