The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) has initiated a new project titled “In and Through Education: Education Trade Unions Support the Inclusion of Refugees and Migrants.” This project, co-funded by the European Commission, aims to enhance the capacity of education trade unions to support their affiliates in integrating refugees and migrants into the education system. Running from November 2023 to October 2025, this initiative builds on the findings of the previous ETUCE – EFEE project, “European Sectoral Social Partners in Education Promoting Effective Integration of Migrants and Refugees in Education” (2017-2019).
The key research objectives of this project include identifying the primary challenges and needs of the teaching profession regarding the inclusion of refugees and migrants in national education systems across Europe. The project also aims to understand the impact of the large intake of refugees and migrants on teachers’ and other education personnel’s working conditions. Furthermore, it seeks to identify the specific professional needs of teachers, academics, and other education staff in integrating refugee learners into the education system.
Another critical aspect of the project is to explore the actions and practices of education trade unions in supporting and building the capacity and knowledge of their affiliates. This support is crucial for effectively addressing the inclusion of refugees and migrants in education systems.
To facilitate this, an online course (MOOC) will be developed for education trade unions. This course will focus on the inclusion of refugees and migrants in and through education, with particular attention to refugees from Ukraine.
This project reflects a significant effort by the ETUCE to provide comprehensive support and resources for education professionals, ensuring that the educational needs of refugees and migrants are adequately met and integrated into national education systems across Europe.