Guidance, Network, and Reception for Ukrainian Refugees in Lazio

In response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a group of associations based in Rome — including ACLI, CIOFS‑FP Lazio, ARPJTETTO ETS, and the Santa Sofia Religious Association — launched a project called O.R.A. (Orientamento, Rete e Accoglienza – Guidance, Network, and Reception).

The initiative was funded by the Lazio Region’s Department of Labor and New Rights, Education and Training, as part of the 2014–2020 Regional Operational Programme (ROP), Axis 2 – Social inclusion and the fight against poverty, supported by the European Social Fund (ESF). The regional strategy included a €10 million call for proposals to support 34 projects aimed at the inclusion and integration of Ukrainian refugees across the region.

O.R.A. was designed to provide integrated support for the Ukrainian population, offering free services tailored to the needs of women, mothers, children, and adults, with a strong focus on socio-economic empowerment. The interventions included both individualized support — such as psychological counseling and housing orientation — and group-based actions related to cultural mediation and after-school programs for children.

Key activities reached over 160 people and included:

• Information desks at ACLI and Santa Sofia;
   

• Italian language courses and literacy support;
   

• Job orientation services, with a focus on women’s entrepreneurship;
   

• Cross-cultural workshops and peer support groups;
   

• Psychological counseling, after-school activities, and linguistic mediation;
   

• Housing support to promote long-term stability.
   

Accessibility was a fundamental element of the project: all courses included compensatory tools and removal of architectural barriers for individuals with mild disabilities.

Funded by the Lazio Region through ESF and national resources, the O.R.A. project offered a comprehensive model of inclusion. Rather than addressing only immediate needs, it sought to build long-term stability through training, job placement, community engagement, and empowerment. The ultimate goal was to foster growth opportunities for both Ukrainian refugees and the wider social fabric of the Lazio region.