Caring to Include: trauma-informed support for refugees and migrants in Europe

Caring to Include is a three-year project financed by Erasmus+ that aims to reduce the negative effects of trauma and other stressors on the social inclusion of refugees and migrants. At the same time, this initiative means to improve the mental health of NGO staff and volunteers working with these vulnerable groups. We create practical tools, provide training, and connect NGOs across Europe to improve trauma-informed support and mental well-being.

This initiative is led by the Dutch Council for Refugees in partnership with six European organisations from Hungary, Estonia, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, and Croatia. 

Why is this project needed?

Across Europe, refugees and migrants face increasing hostility, border violence, and shrinking access to protection. At the same time, NGOs working with these groups are under pressure. They face restrictive laws, funding cuts, and even criminalisation in some countries. These challenges harm both refugees and the aid workers supporting them. 

Caring to Include responds to these urgent needs by strengthening long-term collaboration among NGOs and improving mental health support for both refugees and frontline workers. By sharing knowledge and practical tools, we ensure that trauma-informed care becomes a standard part of refugee support services in Europe. 

• We build a Community of Practice (CoP) where NGOs can share knowledge, experiences, and best practices on trauma-informed support.
• We develop two toolkits: one for improving the mental well-being of NGO staff and volunteers, and another with trauma-informed approaches to support refugees and migrants.
• We organise training sessions and exchange programmes to improve service delivery and embed trauma-informed practices in our partner organisations.

Each partner will make two needs assessments (one focused on the needs of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, and another focused on the needs of staff/volunteers) and mapping of best practices.  On our part, we will make also a European mapping. After that, an overview of each country will be made, and a comparative report will be drafted. 

• National reports/ European mapping
• The Netherlands
• Cyprus
• Estonia
• Hungary
• Malta
• Greece
• Croatia
• Europe
• Comparative report

For more information, please contact Ella de Lange at edelange@vluchtelingenwerk.nl. 

Let’s work together towards an inclusive and healthy organization and trauma-sensitive support for our target group.