Originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine, Katerina – now 25 years old – had to leave everything behind when the full-scale war began in February 2022. “It was a stressful situation; there were bombs and attacks all the time,” she recalls. She first sought temporary safety in Lviv, hoping the conflict would end quickly. But as the situation worsened, she made the difficult decision to continue her journey – together with two friends and her cat – towards a place where she could rebuild her life.
Arriving in Brasov, Romania, Katerina was deeply moved by the warmth and solidarity of the local community. She found her first job working in a kitchen, discovering not only a supportive team but also a genuine passion for learning Romanian.
Through structured language courses and personal development activities offered by our RIF4UA project, Katerina gradually rebuilt her confidence and independence. Today, she works as a hotel receptionist – proof of her resilience and a symbol of the new chapter she has begun.
Katerina's story is just one of many. Since the start of the war, Terre des hommes has been supporting Ukrainian children, women and families across Romania and Hungary by providing essential guidance, psychosocial support, and opportunities for education, employment, and community integration.
Innovative, integrated support for lasting inclusion
Continuing these efforts, the RIF4UA – “Scaling-up Integrated Services within Resilience and Innovation Facilities for Ukrainian Refugees Inclusion” project strengthens and expands our response in both Romania and Hungary.
Implemented in Brasov and Budapest, the project transforms existing Resilience and Innovation Facilities (RIFs) into single-entry points where refugees can access coordinated, comprehensive services tailored to the needs of entire families.
What makes RIF4UA innovative is its integrated approach. Rather than offering fragmented assistance, the project combines multiple forms of support under one roof:
- Social support and protection assistance, including information, referrals, and guidance to access specialised services
- Language, digital and life skills development to strengthen independence and participation
- Employment support, including job search coaching, matching with vacancies, and assistance with the recognition of qualifications
- Complementary educational activities for children, allowing caregivers the time and stability needed to pursue employment
- Psychosocial support and counselling, promoting resilience and emotional wellbeing
The project began with a needs analysis among the refugee community and a mapping of local stakeholders in both cities. This ensures that services respond directly to existing gaps and that local actors work in coordination, increasing the overall capacity of support systems at community level.
Multidisciplinary teams guide families step by step – from addressing immediate needs to building long-term stability. By strengthening cooperation between civil society organisations, local authorities, and community actors, RIF4UA reinforces sustainable inclusion pathways rather than short-term solutions.
At the same time, the project promotes social cohesion within host communities. Through participatory communication initiatives, Romanian, Hungarian and Ukrainian youth are given a shared platform to express their perspectives, fostering mutual understanding and reducing prejudice.
Discover their stories
Watch our videos and hear directly from those rebuilding their lives through the Terre des hommes community spaces.
Romania – Brasov
Katerina shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and how she found stability and a sense of belonging in her new city.
Hungary – Budapest
Three Ukrainian women living in Budapest – Anna, Nadia and Katerina – share their personal experiences of becoming refugees, the challenges of starting over, and the importance of community integration.
