Lokalizacja: Wrocław i wybrane miejscoLocation: Wrocław and selected towns in Lower Silesiawości Dolnego Śląska
Today, around 187,000 Ukrainian teenagers aged 10–18 live in Poland. Many of them remain outside the education system, while those who have entered Polish schools face language barriers, learning gaps, and emotional challenges related to war and forced migration. The most difficult situation concerns students preparing for the 8th-grade exam and the matura exam, as their results determine further education and future career opportunities.
The Foundation Ukraine addresses these challenges through the U-READY project, which combines exam preparation (Polish, mathematics and English) with an MHPSS program – Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. In this way, refugee youth gain not only the knowledge necessary to pass exams but also strength, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging to the community.
Goal of the U-READY project
The mission of the project is to ensure equal educational and professional opportunities for refugee youth. Our goal is to enable young people to continue their education without barriers, develop their talents and skills, and plan their future in Poland with greater confidence – both in education and on the labor market.
Main activities
The project follows two complementary paths: educational and psychosocial. Both are equally important – because for youth to grow, they need knowledge as well as emotional support.
1. Education and exam preparation
Many young refugees face one of the hardest milestones – the 8th-grade exam or the matura exam. Results determine the choice of secondary school, university, or access to the labor market. Therefore, the project offers:
- knowledge assessment – a diagnostic test to match students with the right group and program;
- regular preparatory classes in Polish, mathematics, and English – in small groups, led by teachers experienced in working with foreign students;
- mock exams – held under conditions as close as possible to real ones, reducing stress;
- workshops for students and parents – about further education, scholarships, and career paths.
Through these activities, we aim to improve the academic performance of more than 350 students, ensure that all 8th graders have the opportunity to continue their education, and enable nearly 80% of high school graduates to successfully pass the matura exam.
2. Well-being and integration (MHPSS)
Education alone is not enough if young people struggle with war trauma, stress, or a sense of isolation. That is why the second part of the project focuses on MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support), including:
- 84 psychosocial workshops (October–May) – developing emotional and social skills such as stress management, peer communication, and self-confidence;
- innovative methods:
- LEGO® Serious Play® – using LEGO bricks to express emotions, create metaphors, and solve problems;
- Team Up – a program by UNICEF, Save the Children, and War Child that uses movement and play to build resilience and teamwork;
- HEART (Healing and Education through the Arts) – using art, music, and creativity to help children and youth cope with difficult emotions;
- individual psychological consultations – for those needing more personalized support;
- safe spaces – where young people can build relationships, develop talents, and feel a true sense of belonging.
The implementation of this part of the project will help more than 250 participants improve their well-being, develop social skills, and cope with stress more effectively. In addition, several dozen individuals will receive individual psychological support to help prevent long-term crises.
Expected outcomes
The U-READY project will generate multidimensional benefits for youth, parents, and local communities, namely:
- Students will improve their exam results, increasing their chances for further education and career development. With psychological support, they will regain emotional balance, learn to better manage stress, and build greater self-confidence.
- Parents will gain knowledge about the Polish education system, available scholarships, and opportunities for their children’s development.
- Schools and local communities will become more open and better prepared to support refugee youth
As a result, the risk of young people falling into the NEET group (not in education, employment, or training) will decrease. In the long term, the project will help prevent the emergence of a “lost generation” and create lasting conditions for education, development, integration, and the active participation of Ukrainian youth in Polish society.
The activities of Foundation Ukraine within the U-READY project are funded by CARE Poland, with the support of Public Consulting Group.
