Since the very first day of the unprecedented and unjustified act of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, Europe has stood united.

We provide support to those seeking shelter and we help those looking for a safe way home. 

The EU will continue to offer strong political, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and impose hard-hitting sanctions against Russia and those complicit in the war.  

We also work to ensure a swift and effective integration into the labour market of those who have fled the war. 

In addition, the European Commission has mobilised EU funding to support Member States who are welcoming people fleeing from Ukraine. 

Funding to support refugees from Ukraine

CARE introduced maximum flexibility for Member States to use available 2014-2020 cohesion policy funds for measures supporting people who are fleeing from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Moreover, the 2022 envelope of €10 billion of REACT-EU funds could be used immediately to address these new needs. In addition, the Commission increased by €3.5 billion the pre-financing under REACT-EU.

It also further simplified the mobilisation of funds to cover immediate needs of refugees such as food, basic material assistance as well as accommodation and transportation costs.

These are important steps in ensuring member states have sufficient resources to meet the growing needs for housing, education and healthcare.

Access to jobs and training for the ones fleeing Ukraine

Since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine and its civilians, millions of people have fled Ukraine and reached the EU.

So far, only a relatively small number of those of working age have entered the EU labour market, though the number of people wanting to do so is expected to rise.

Ensuring swift and effective integration into the labour market is important both for host communities and for those fleeing the war to rebuild their lives, continue developing their skills and, eventually, support reconstruction in Ukraine. 

Moreover, improving existing skills and acquiring new ones is essential for successfully participating in the labour market and society.

The EU therefore offers a series of tools which  help people to find work:

• The EU Talent Pool pilot online platform, also available in Ukrainian and Russian,  helps to match people’s skills with vacancies published by EU employers.
   
• The EU Skills Profile Tool recognises skills and formal qualifications, which is critical for easing people’s entry into the labour market and making sure they get a job that corresponds to their talents.

The Commission has also made a number of tools available in Ukrainian via the Europass platform. This will help Ukrainian-speaking users to create CVs, test their digital skills, send applications and find job and training offers in the EU.