RREUSE & ENSIE Position on the 2022 Ukraine Refugee Crisis

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, on April 14, 2022, RREUSE, the European Network of Reuse and Recycling Social Enterprises, in cooperation with ENSIE, the European Network of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs), organised an online discussion among their members in the presence of representatives of the European Commission (DG EMPL, DG GROW).

The discussion aimed to provide members the opportunity to share their challenges and be informed on the latest EU policy developments and funds available to support their solidarity efforts (e.g. CARE proposal, Temporary Protection Directive, fund flexibility under FEAD, ESF+).

Members and their respective networks have been directly and indirectly affected by the devastating conflict in Ukraine. Nevertheless, they responded with solidarity actions including short-term actions to provide civilians fleeing Ukraine with housing, essential item donations, psychological support, as well as long-term actions providing educational and employment opportunities to integrate them into their activities and labour market.

RREUSE and ENSIE have been monitoring how their respective networks have been coping with the current refugee crisis ever since, and hereby highlight the main challenges, needs, and policy recommendations.