Today, The Burberry Foundation announces it is partnering with Save the Children to launch Life Chances, a programme designed to support young people impacted by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Life Chances aims to help young Ukrainian refugees recover by furthering their education and career prospects, improving social and emotional well-being, and empowering them to become agents of change within their communities.
Scheduled to run exclusively in Poland until June 2025, the programme is designed to support Ukrainian refugees aged 14-18. To support wider social well-being and cohesion, the programme will also be extended to young people in Poland, with services being fully available in November 2023.
During crises and periods of displacement, education and social activities are integral to creating an environment where young people can develop a sense of purpose, identity and belonging. Poland continues to be home to a large population of Ukrainian refugees, but it is estimated that only 44 per cent of Ukrainian children were enrolled within a local school at the end of the 2022/2023 academic year*. Due to the expanding young population and increased demand for schooling, educational establishments in the country are struggling to meet the needs of young people.
Life Chances aims to address this by providing holistic support to young people whilst they adapt to life in Poland. Created in consultation with Ukrainian refugees, the programme will focus on the following areas of need:
Life Chances will offer Polish language lessons to help refugees better integrate into society and build a life in Poland.
Academic tutoring will be provided to help Ukrainian refugees continue their studies online and to help those who have secured a place at a local school adjust to the Polish curriculum. Guidance on post-secondary or higher-education opportunities for employment pathways will also be available, providing young people with the tools and support they need to reach their full potential.
Tested approaches and curriculums will be utilised to help Ukrainian refugees express how they are feeling, build supportive relationships with their peer groups and improve their emotional well-being.
Facilitators will run sessions to help participants develop foundational skills, competencies, behaviours, and attitudes needed to support their aspirations and help them become a part of the local community.
All activities within the programme will be implemented through libraries and other community spaces throughout Poland, ensuring young people have access to information, culture and technology, as well as a safe environment within which they can meet other people and develop their potential.
This partnership follows the expansion of Burberry Inspire and echoes the initiative’s core values by creating opportunities for young people to drive positive change in their lives and communities.
"Save the Children plays a pivotal role in ensuring young people across the globe are safe, healthy and are given the tools they need to reach their full potential. The Burberry Foundation is proud to partner with them on Life Chances, a programme that will help the thousands of young people impacted by the crisis to recover, grow and create opportunities for a better future."
"So many children have been displaced by the conflict in Ukraine, and for teenagers who are thinking about their future careers and who are trying to discover their identities, it is an incredibly challenging time. Together with FRSI, our local NGO partner in Poland, we are delighted to be partnering with Burberry to give teenage Ukrainian refugees an opportunity to continue their education as well as to improve their social and emotional well-being. As the programme was co-designed in consultation with young Ukrainians and Polish youth, we feel confident that we are giving them the best possible chances of success and we hope that it will give them the opportunities they deserve."
* The 44% statistic has been derived from a partnered press release between Save the Children, NRC, Plan International and World Vision.
Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/moldova/prioritizing-school-enrolments-ukraine-refugee-children-moldova-poland-and-romania-september-2023
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Save the Children
About Burberry
About The Burberry Foundation
