SIMPLE (Social Innovation Models to Promote Learning and Employability) focuses on mapping existing social innovation practices and needs for more effective integration of refugees from Ukraine in EU countries, with a particular focus on employability and education.
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Module 1 introduces the logic behind the SIMPLE model and demonstrates how proven social innovations can be understood, adapted and implemented in new local contexts.
The starting point is the assumption that the effective social and professional integration of refugees and migrants from Ukraine cannot rely solely on a single training course or a one-off service. It requires a combination of needs assessment, education, counselling, engagement with relevant institutions, cooperation with employers, social support and the involvement of the local ecosystem.
Key message: SIMPLE is not a ready-made ‘copy-and-paste package’, but an operational model that can be replicated through careful adaptation to local conditions.
Module 1 serves as the foundation for the SIMPLE Project’s training package. Its aim is to explain what the SIMPLE model is, the experiences on which it is based, the problems it addresses, and how it can be adapted to another country, region, city or organisation.
Once this logic has been understood, participants can move on to more detailed modules on ecosystem-based cooperation, engaging employers, and designing activities related to the social and professional integration of refugees and migrants.
Module 1 answers the question: what exactly do we want to replicate?
Module 2 answers the question: who do we need to work with?
Module 3 answers the question: how can we involve employers and the labour market?
Module 4 answers the question: how can we design support that is accessible and effective for different participants?
Upon completion of this module, participants should understand that replicating the SIMPLE model does not involve mechanically copying its activities. It involves identifying the key elements of the model, understanding the mechanism of change, and consciously adapting activities to the needs of the target group, institutional resources and labour market conditions.
Participants will be able to describe the main logic of the SIMPLE project, identify its most important components, distinguish between core and adaptable elements, and outline the first steps required to prepare a local version of an activity inspired by the SIMPLE model.
Training outcome: Participants will not only understand the logic of the project but will also be able to start thinking about how to apply it in their own context.
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The module is aimed at individuals and organisations wishing to develop initiatives to promote the integration, employability, entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance of refugees and migrants. SIMPLE recognises that no single organisation is able to meet all the needs of the target group on its own. The module is therefore designed for various stakeholders within the local ecosystem. |
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SIMPLE was set up to make better use of the potential of proven social innovations in the area of integration and employability of refugees and migrants from Ukraine. In many European countries, there are good practices, projects and tools that have yielded valuable results, but these have often remained local, short-term or dependent on a single source of funding.
SIMPLE seeks to answer the question of how such solutions can be transferred to new contexts and to identify which elements also work elsewhere.
In practice, this involves combining three levels:
The SIMPLE model is therefore not merely a training model. It is a way of organising a local response to the complex needs of refugees and migrants.
Key definition to remember: SIMPLE is a model for enhancing employability and social inclusion through the adaptation of proven social innovations and the development of local support ecosystems.
Following the initial phase of the crisis response to the war in Ukraine, questions regarding long-term integration have become increasingly important. For many people from Ukraine, it has become crucial not only to be safe, but also to be able to work, study, support their families, access public services and build a stable life in their host country.
At the same time, support systems are often fragmented. A person in need of help must search separately for language courses, career guidance, information about institutions and their remit, contacts with employers, psychological support, childcare support or advice on setting up a business. SIMPLE addresses this fragmentation by offering a more integrated approach.
Key message: The project posits that effective support should combine skills development, understanding of the ecosystem, building social connections, guidance, and real opportunities to enter the labour market or become self-employed.
SIMPLE focuses on refugees and migrants from Ukraine, but places particular emphasis on groups facing multiple barriers to social and professional integration. Women are at the centre of the programme, as they make up a significant proportion of the adult refugee population and often juggle several roles simultaneously: as workers, mothers, carers, learners, those dealing with administrative matters, and those responsible for stabilising the family’s situation.
Also important within the target group are women with children, those with care responsibilities, older people, those with higher education working below their qualifications, as well as those in need of linguistic, digital, vocational or institutional support.
In practice, this means that SIMPLE’s activities must be designed to take into account differences in age, work experience, family circumstances, language proficiency, digital skills and readiness to take up employment or start a business.
One of the module’s key principles is the understanding that the SIMPLE model should not be treated as a single course, workshop or advisory service. Support for refugees and migrants from Ukraine is effective when it creates a logical pathway leading from the identification of needs to concrete decisions regarding employment, education or entrepreneurship.
Therefore, the SIMPLE model combines needs assessment, skills development, career and business guidance, entrepreneurship training, liaison with institutions, e-government, cooperation with employers, networking, social support and monitoring of outcomes. Each of these elements can be delivered in various forms, but it is important that participants are not left to their own devices between separately delivered services.
Key message: SIMPLE involves a shift from the logic of ‘the participant takes part in a training course’ to the logic of ‘the participant follows a support pathway that helps them improve their employability, agency and independence’.
Following the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine, the initial response from European countries focused primarily on security, accommodation, material aid, basic healthcare and regularisation of residence. This was the crisis response phase, during which the priority was to swiftly meet the basic needs of those fleeing the war.
Over time, the situation for many refugees and migrants from Ukraine began to change. Needs associated with a longer-term stay became increasingly important: stable employment, language learning, recognition of qualifications, children’s education, family care, access to public services, mental health and participation in local community life. This marks a shift from the logic of ‘immediate assistance’ to that of ‘integration and self-reliance’.
SIMPLE was established precisely in response to this change. The project is based on the premise that effective support should help people from Ukraine not only to survive in the host country, but also to gradually regain control over their own lives, develop their skills, make career decisions and build a stable future.
Key message: Long-term integration requires a different kind of support to emergency aid – one that is more complex, longer-term, better coordinated and linked to the labour market.
In the SIMPLE project, the concept of employability is understood in a broad sense. It is not merely about finding any job, but about a person’s ability to enter the labour market, remain in employment, develop their skills, change career paths or create their own job. In this sense, employability encompasses both salaried employment and self-employment, as well as entrepreneurship.
For refugees and migrants from Ukraine, employability depends on a number of interrelated factors. Key factors include professional skills, language proficiency, knowledge of the local labour market, recognition of qualifications, access to information, networks, childcare, mental and family stability, as well as the openness of employers and the availability of public services.
SIMPLE therefore treats employability as the result of an entire support ecosystem, rather than merely the individual motivation of the participant. A person may be highly qualified and experienced, but without language skills, information, contacts, recognised documents and institutional support, their real access to the labour market remains limited.
Key message: Employability is not just about being ‘ready to work’. It is a combination of skills, conditions, services and relationships that enable genuine participation in the labour market.
In SIMPLE, entrepreneurship is very important, but it should not be seen as the project’s sole objective. Entrepreneurship is one way of enhancing employability, as it enables people with a migration background to make use of their own skills, professional experience, contacts, ideas and understanding of the needs of potential customers and communities. For some women from Ukraine, self-employment or micro-entrepreneurship may be a realistic route to greater economic independence.
At the same time, not every participant needs to set up a business for their involvement in the project to be worthwhile. Equally important may be gaining a better understanding of the labour market, refining a career plan, boosting self-confidence, developing communication skills, familiarising oneself with formal, legal and administrative procedures, preparing for salaried employment, or deciding that running a business is not the best option at this stage.
Therefore, in the SIMPLE model, entrepreneurship should be combined with career guidance, familiarisation with the institutional system, language improvement, the development of professional and digital skills, and engagement with the local ecosystem. Only such an approach allows entrepreneurship to be viewed as a safe and realistic path to economic activity.
Key message: The success of replicating the SIMPLE model should not be measured solely by the number of businesses set up, but also by the increase in the participants’ readiness for employment, knowledge, agency and the quality of their professional or business decisions.
People from Ukraine taking part in integration activities often face overlapping barriers. The language barrier makes it difficult to communicate with public authorities, employers and clients. A lack of knowledge of procedures limits their ability to deal with administrative matters independently. Unrecognised qualifications can lead to people working in roles below their skill level. Caring responsibilities limit women’s availability and make it difficult for them to take part in training or work standard hours.
Added to these are less visible but very significant barriers: stress, uncertainty, a diminished sense of agency, a lack of a support network, fear of making mistakes, a lack of knowledge about the labour market and limited access to funding. In the case of entrepreneurship, concerns about costs, taxes, social security, legal liability and the risk of failure are also particularly significant.
SIMPLE addresses these barriers through an integrated approach. This means that it is not enough to offer a single course or a single consultation. Support needs to be designed in such a way that it simultaneously strengthens knowledge, skills, self-confidence, understanding of the institutional system and relationships with the local community.
Key message: The most significant barriers do not occur in isolation. Support must therefore be multi-dimensional and flexible.
One of the key issues addressed by SIMPLE is underemployment. This refers to a situation where a person is in work but is performing tasks that fall below their qualifications, experience or potential. For refugees and migrants from Ukraine, this issue is particularly significant, as many have secondary or higher education and prior work experience, but are not always able to make use of these upon arrival in the host country.
The cause is not solely a lack of job vacancies. Often, it is down to language barriers, the non-recognition of qualifications, difficulties in documenting work experience, a lack of familiarity with local recruitment procedures, a lack of professional contacts, and employers’ concerns about hiring refugees and migrants. As a result, high-potential individuals end up in jobs that are simple, precarious, lower-paid or unrelated to their previous career path.
SIMPLE aims to address this situation through better identification of skills, counselling, development of professional language skills, work on an action plan, and building links with local institutions, organisations and labour market agencies.
Key message: The aim of SIMPLE is not simply to secure any form of employment, but to make better use of people’s skills and increase their chances of finding a more suitable, stable and consciously chosen career path or self-employment
Experience with integration projects shows that one-off initiatives rarely lead to lasting change. A language course may improve communication skills, but it is not enough if the participant does not know how to look for work or how to communicate with public administration and government departments.
Business advice can help refine a business idea, but it is not enough if the person does not understand or know how to navigate formal and legal procedures, is unfamiliar with the law or tax regulations, or lacks a network of contacts.
A meeting with an employer can be valuable, but it will not be effective if the participant lacks language skills, is unfamiliar with the basics of employment law, or is in a poor state of mental health.
This is precisely why SIMPLE is based on the integration of its components. A participant should receive support that guides her step by step – from assessing her individual situation, expectations and needs, through the development of knowledge and skills, to liaising with institutions, planning actions and making further career decisions. It is also important that the organisations involved in supporting refugee and migrant women work together, rather than operating in parallel and in isolation from one another.
The SIMPLE model therefore answers the question: how to combine available resources into a coherent pathway, rather than creating yet another set of separate, short-term initiatives.
Key message: The problem is not always a lack of services. Often, the problem is that these services are not linked together to form a clear and accessible support pathway.
SIMPLE proposes a shift in mindset – from a one-off intervention to a pathway of support.
A one-off intervention usually addresses a single problem, such as a lack of knowledge, a lack of language skills, a lack of information about employment opportunities, or a lack of contacts within the institutional environment.
A support pathway, on the other hand, recognises that a participant’s situation is more complex and requires a combination of several activities carried out in the right order.
In practice, the SIMPLE pathway may begin with recruitment and a needs assessment. The participant then takes part in workshops and training courses, career or business counselling, sessions on understanding procedures and institutions, mentoring, networking and developing contacts with employers. It is important that each stage makes sense in relation to the previous one and prepares the participant for the next.
A pathway understood in this way does not have to be identical for everyone. One person may mainly need career guidance and development of professional or sector-specific language skills; another may need to work on a business idea; and yet another may require support in dealing with public authorities. The SIMPLE model provides a structure, but should leave scope for tailoring support to individual needs.
Key message: SIMPLE is most useful when it helps to design pathways tailored to participants’ real-life situations and needs, rather than proposing a single, one-size-fits-all programme.
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SIMPLE is based on the premise that there are already valuable social innovations in Europe that support the integration, education, employability and entrepreneurship of migrants and refugees. The problem is that many of these solutions have operated at a local level, as part of specific projects, or only for a limited period of time, and have not been scaled up to other locations, countries and contexts. Therefore, SIMPLE’s first step was to systematically search for, organise and evaluate previous initiatives funded by the European Union. The aim was not to create a model from scratch, but to identify practices that have the potential to be reused, adapted and scaled up. Key message: SIMPLE does not start with a blank page. It draws on existing experiences and assesses which of these can be responsibly transferred to new contexts. |
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The project employed a logic of progressively narrowing down the selection. This means that a broad range of initiatives was first analysed, and then those that best aligned with SIMPLE’s objectives were gradually selected. Each successive stage of selection was more detailed and required a more thorough assessment of the target group, the type of support, the outcomes, the potential for adaptation, and alignment with the logic of enhancing employability, social and professional integration, and the development of entrepreneurship. This approach enhances the transparency of the selection process. It helps to avoid the random selection of projects and demonstrates that the models chosen for replication are the result of analysis rather than an intuitive decision. In practice, the filtering process led from a broad map of practices to a limited number of models that could be used as a reference point for pilot implementations, and subsequently for further transfer and scaling on a wider scale. Key message: A good model to replicate must not only be interesting, but also transferable, well-documented and tailored to the needs of the target group. |
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The selection of reference models in SIMPLE should be understood as a process of assessing the suitability of a given innovation for addressing a specific social problem. It is not enough for a project to be interesting or well described. What mattered was whether it addressed the needs of refugees and migrants from Ukraine, whether it related to employability, education, entrepreneurship or integration, and whether it could be adapted to other local conditions. Also important were evidence of effectiveness, the level of maturity of the solution, the possibility of retaining key components, the feasibility of implementation within a short pilot period, and the potential for use by various stakeholders. The models had to be sufficiently concrete to be tested, yet flexible enough to be adapted to different contexts and different countries. Key message: A reference model must combine three characteristics: relevance to needs, evidence of usefulness and adaptability. |
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Following the analysis, two main reference models were selected for use in the pilot tests. In Poland, the reference model was ‘BSI_4Women – Baltic Sea Initiative for the Development of Business Activity of Refugee Women’, which focuses on supporting entrepreneurship, self-employment and economic independence among refugee women. In Italy, the ‘SIREE – Social Integration of Refugees through Education and Self-Employment’ model was used, which combines social integration, education, learning communities and self-employment.
The choice of these models demonstrates that SIMPLE is not limited to a single support pathway. Depending on the local context, a model may be more entrepreneurial, more education- and community-focused, or more employment-oriented. It is important, however, that all variants adhere to a common logic – strengthening the employability, integration and agency of people from Ukraine.
Key message: SIMPLE has a common logic but can be implemented through various pathways: entrepreneurship, education, employment, community and collaboration with the ecosystem.
BSI_4Women is a model designed to support refugee women in developing business activities, self-employment and entrepreneurship. In the context of the Polish pilot project, this model was particularly important as it addressed the needs of women from Ukraine who were interested in greater economic independence, developing business ideas or making better use of their skills in the labour market.
However, it is important not to view BSI_4Women solely as a business start-up programme. Its approach also encompasses the development of entrepreneurial skills, building self-confidence, mentoring, advice, networking and working on the feasibility of ideas. In the Polish pilot, entrepreneurship was therefore treated as a pathway to employability, rather than as the only possible outcome.
Key message: BSI_4Women demonstrates that entrepreneurship can be a tool for social inclusion, but requires advisory, educational, social and institutional support.
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SIREE is a model for the social integration of refugees through education, learning communities and self-employment. Its value lies in the fact that it does not treat integration solely as a vocational process. It emphasises the importance of community, building relationships and trust, and learning in a safe environment. In the context of SIMPLE, SIREE is important because it reminds us that employability also depends on social factors. A person who lacks a social network, does not trust institutions, feels isolated or does not understand the local system finds it more difficult to access work and develop their own entrepreneurial skills. Therefore, community elements, peer support and mutual learning can reinforce the effects of more formal training and advisory modules. Key message: SIREE demonstrates that labour market integration also requires social integration, a sense of belonging and connections with the local community. |
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One of the key concepts in SIMPLE is replication with adaptation. This means that the reference model should not be copied mechanically. A solution that has worked in one country, region or project may require adjustments in a different context due to differences in legislation, institutions, language, the labour market, the profile of participants, available resources and the capabilities of partners.
Therefore, in SIMPLE, it is important to distinguish between core elements and adaptable elements. Core elements are those responsible for the model’s effectiveness and should be retained. Adaptable elements are those that can be modified to ensure the model is feasible and useful at a local level. For example, the core might consist of individual counselling, work on an action plan or ecosystem-based collaboration, but the number of hours, the format of the sessions, the type of partners or the order of the modules can be adapted.
Key message: Replicating the SIMPLE model means preserving the logic behind the change, rather than copying all actions in exactly the same form.
The Theory of Change is a way of describing how a project’s activities are intended to lead to the expected outcomes. In SIMPLE ToC, it organises the entire logic of the project – from identifying the needs of refugees and migrants from Ukraine, through the selection of reference models, the adaptation of activities and the pilot phase, right through to monitoring the outcomes and drawing conclusions regarding scaling up.
The Theory of Change helps answer the question: why do we assume that specific actions will bring about a specific change? It is therefore not merely a descriptive tool, but a practical guide to designing, implementing and evaluating integration activities.
Key message: The ToC shows a logical path from the problem to the change.
SIMPLE uses the Theory of Change to avoid combining activities haphazardly. Support for refugees and migrants from Ukraine is effective when each component has a specific function and leads to the next stage of change. Workshops, counselling, mentoring, contact with institutions or cooperation with employers are not separate activities, but elements of a single pathway.
The ToC also allows us to assess whether the model can be transferred to another country or region. If we understand the mechanism of change, we can better evaluate which elements need to be retained and which can be adapted to the local context.
Key message: ToC helps us move from a list of activities to a coherent model of change.
The SIMPLE chain of change begins with the real needs of the target group. Women from Ukraine may need to improve their command of the host country’s language, gain knowledge of the labour market, receive advice, get support in dealing with public authorities, develop a business idea, make contact with employers, or rebuild their self-confidence. The project’s activities address these needs.
The direct outcomes of these activities are outputs such as the number of participants, workshops delivered, counselling sessions, action plans, business ideas and meetings with stakeholders. Only then do the results emerge: increased knowledge, greater independence, a better understanding of the system, and more realistic career or business plans. In the longer term, SIMPLE aims to support social and professional integration and stronger local ecosystems.
Key message: Not every action has an immediate impact. It is important to distinguish between outputs, outcomes and long-term change.
Inputs are the resources without which the SIMPLE model cannot function. These include partners, trainers, advisers, mentors, expert knowledge, training materials, assessment tools, meeting spaces, recruitment channels, contacts with institutions and employers, and the data needed to monitor outcomes.
It is important to note that resources are not limited to the budget. In integration projects, trust, access to the community, experience of working with migrants, knowledge of local procedures, and the ability to coordinate the activities of various stakeholders are equally important. An organisation wishing to replicate SIMPLE should therefore begin by asking: what resources do we already have, and what do we need to seek from our partners?
Key message: The SIMPLE model requires organisational, expert, community and institutional resources.
Activities are specific actions carried out within the framework of the model. In SIMPLE, these may include recruitment, needs assessment, workshops, career and business counselling, mentoring, developing a business idea, support with e-government, meetings with institutions, contacts with employers, networking and gathering feedback.
The most important thing, however, is that these activities are not random. Each one should address a specific barrier and lead to a specific outcome. If the problem is a lack of knowledge about institutions, a ‘system navigation’ module is needed. If the barrier is a lack of self-confidence, counselling, mentoring and a safe space are needed. If the problem is a lack of market access, it is essential to engage employers.
Key message: Activities within SIMPLE should be based on an assessment of needs, rather than on a pre-defined catalogue of services.
Outputs are the direct products of activities. They are easier to quantify than outcomes, but do not in themselves indicate profound change. Examples of outputs include: the number of participants, the number of hours of support, the number of workshops held, the number of counselling sessions, the number of partners involved in the pilot, and the number of action plans or business ideas developed.
Outputs are important because they show whether activities have actually been carried out. However, they are not sufficient to assess effectiveness. The fact that workshops took place does not necessarily mean that participants have a better understanding of the labour market or feel more ready to take action. That is why outputs must always be combined with outcomes.
Key message: Outputs tell us what has been done. Outcomes tell us what has changed.
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Outputs |
Outcomes |
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Workshops |
Knowledge |
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Sessions |
Confidence |
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Participants |
Readiness |
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Plans |
Autonomy |
Outcomes refer to the changes that occur in participants following their involvement in the activities. In SIMPLE, these may include: greater knowledge of the labour market and entrepreneurship; a better understanding of procedures; increased self-confidence; greater agency; a willingness to engage with institutions; a more clearly defined career or business plan; and improved language, digital and social skills.
It is important to note that many of these outcomes are ‘soft’ in nature, yet highly significant. For women with refugee backgrounds, an increase in self-confidence, a sense of agency and a better understanding of the system may be a prerequisite for taking further career or business steps. Such outcomes are best measured through pre- and post-programme self-assessments, final questionnaires, interviews, case studies and feedback from advisers.
Key message: In SIMPLE, change often begins with knowledge, self-confidence and a sense of agency.
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Before |
uncertainty |
fragmented knowledge |
low confidence |
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After |
clearer plan |
stronger skills |
greater confidence |
better system navigation |
Impact refers to the broader, long-term change that the project aims to contribute to. SIMPLE focuses on greater social and professional integration of refugees and migrants from Ukraine, better utilisation of their skills, greater economic independence, and stronger local support ecosystems.
Impact does not depend solely on a single organisation. It arises when various local actors begin to cooperate more effectively: NGOs reach out to participants, public institutions facilitate access to services, employers open up opportunities, training institutions develop skills, and local communities foster a climate of trust. In this sense, SIMPLE tests not only activities for participants, but also the way in which collaboration is organised.
Key message: SIMPLE’s impact is not just about change in individual people, but also about strengthening the local support system.
Individual impact: skills, confidence, employability.
Ecosystem impact: coordination, partnerships, employer engagement, service continuity.
In the SIMPLE Theory of Change, this is directly linked to stakeholder mapping. If we want to achieve lasting change, we need to know who should be involved, what their role is, and what contribution they can make. That is why the initial stakeholder engagement matrix is important in the SIMPLE model; it helps to organise collaboration between sectors.
Public administration can provide access to services, funding, procedures and local policies. Civil society organisations can build trust, reach out to participants and support the community. Employers can offer market knowledge, mentoring, work placements, employment or business contacts. Education and training institutions can provide knowledge, tools, validation and skills development. Each of these actors has a different function, but it is only by bringing them together that the conditions for effective integration are created.
Key message: The stakeholder matrix helps to move from general cooperation to a clear division of roles within the local SIMPLE model.
The SIMPLE model can be understood as a set of interlinked components which, together, form a pathway to enhancing employability and socio-professional integration. Not every component needs to take exactly the same form in every country or region, but it is important that local adaptations retain the logic of combining educational, advisory, institutional, social and market-based measures.
The key components of the model are: needs assessment, skills development, career and business guidance, entrepreneurship and self-employment, institutional orientation, cooperation with employers, community support, monitoring and evaluation. Each of these elements addresses a different type of barrier, but it is only when they are combined that the chances of lasting change are increased.
Key message: SIMPLE operates as a system of interconnected components, rather than as a single service.
A participant’s journey through SIMPLE usually begins with reaching the target group and recruitment. The next important step is to assess the participant’s situation: their experiences, skills, barriers, needs, language proficiency, career plans and readiness for economic activity. Only on this basis can appropriate measures be proposed.
In practice, the pathway can take various directions. For one person, career guidance and preparation for entering the labour market will be the most important. For another, it will be developing a business idea and receiving business advice. For yet another, it will be understanding how public authorities work, as well as the relevant documents and procedures. SIMPLE therefore provides a common framework, but with an individualised pathway.
Key message: Participants should not go through random activities, but follow a logical pathway tailored to their situation.
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The assessment is one of the most important stages of the SIMPLE model, as it helps to avoid designing support that is ‘one-size-fits-all’. In the case of refugees and migrants from Ukraine, participants’ situations can vary greatly: some are highly qualified but do not know how to utilise their skills in the host country; others have a business idea but need formal training; whilst others require, above all, language, digital or institutional support. The assessment should cover both professional and skills-related needs, as well as barriers to participation: care responsibilities, limited mobility, lack of a support network, stress, uncertainty, language proficiency, legal status and access to services. This ensures that support is more targeted, and participants are not directed towards activities that do not correspond to their actual situation. |
Key message: A thorough assessment is essential for a tailored support pathway. language, skills, childcare, legal status, confidence, business idea, employment readiness |
The competence component covers activities that develop the knowledge and skills needed to function in the host country, within the labour market and in the local ecosystem. In SIMPLE, competences are not understood solely as vocational skills. They also include language skills, digital competences, institutional awareness, entrepreneurship, communication, planning, adaptability and an understanding of local rules.
It is important that training is practical and grounded in real-life situations. For a participant, general knowledge of entrepreneurship is not enough; she needs to understand what it involves to register a business, deal with public authorities, talk to a client, prepare documents, find information or use online services. Competences should therefore be developed through examples, exercises and practical applications.
Key message: Competence in SIMPLE is not just about knowledge, but the ability to act independently in real-life situations.
Counselling is an element that enables general training content to be applied to the participant’s individual situation. In the SIMPLE model, career and business counselling are of particular importance. Career counselling helps to organise experience, skills, potential career paths, training needs and development goals. Business counselling helps to assess an idea, the market, customers, costs, risks and the next steps leading to self-employment or business activity.
When working with women from Ukraine, counselling also serves an empowering function. It helps to rebuild self-confidence, identify strengths, see possible pathways and reduce feelings of disorientation within the new system. Therefore, the counselling relationship should be based on trust, clear language and a practical approach.
Key message: Counselling tailors the SIMPLE model to the individual and links knowledge to the participants’ real-life decisions.
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The entrepreneurial component is particularly important in the Polish adaptation of the SIMPLE model, based on BSI_4Women. Its aim is not merely to guide participants through the process of registering a business. More importantly, it focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills, assessing the feasibility of business ideas, understanding the conditions for running a business in Poland, and preparing participants to make more informed economic decisions. Work on entrepreneurship may include generating and refining an idea, analysing customers, the market and the competition, drawing up an action plan, the basics of finance, marketing, promotion, administrative formalities, taxes, social security, sources of funding and risk assessment. For some participants, the outcome will be readiness to set up a business; for others, a better understanding that they first need a job, an internship, language skills, contacts or further mentoring. Key message: Entrepreneurship in SIMPLE is a process of learning economic independence, not merely the formal establishment of a business. |
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The employment component addresses the need for better entry into or return to the labour market. For many refugees and migrants from Ukraine, the problem is not merely a lack of work, but a lack of work that matches their qualifications, is stable and offers opportunities for development. Therefore, employment support should include labour market guidance, help with preparing application documents, understanding employment rights, contact with employers, identifying sectors with labour shortages, and the opportunity to undertake an internship or work placement.
In the SIMPLE model, employment and entrepreneurship should not be viewed as mutually exclusive paths. They often complement one another. An internship can help participants test their skills and understand the market, whilst work experience can lead to self-employment later on. Conversely, working on a business idea can enhance skills that are also useful in salaried employment.
Key message: SIMPLE enhances employability regardless of whether a participant chooses salaried employment, self-employment or further education.
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One of the practical barriers to integration is the difficulty in navigating the host country’s institutions. Participants may be unfamiliar with procedures, documents, channels for contacting public authorities, electronic systems, the rules governing legal employment, taxes, insurance or public services. In the context of entrepreneurship and employment, this knowledge is crucial. The institutional component of SIMPLE aims to strengthen participants’ independence when dealing with public administration and public services. It may cover e-government, electronic signatures, documents, business registration, the basics of labour law, dealing with the jobcentre, social security, taxes and other procedures. As a result, participants become less reliant on intermediaries and more confident in their actions. Key message: Navigating the institutional system is part of employability. |
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Employment integration is closely linked to social integration. A person who feels lonely, lacks a support network, does not trust institutions or does not know others in a similar situation is less likely to take professional or business risks. Therefore, the SIMPLE model should incorporate a community component: relationships, peer support, the sharing of experiences, safe spaces for conversation and trust-building.
For women from Ukraine, mutual support and the opportunity to meet other women facing similar challenges – such as work, caring for their families, language barriers, paperwork, changing careers or planning a business – are particularly important. The community component can boost motivation, reduce isolation and increase the sustainability of the project’s outcomes.
Key message: Community is not an add-on to the model. It is a prerequisite for building trust, participation and the sustainability of change.
Refugees and migrants from Ukraine may face stress, uncertainty, family separation, loss of employment status, a reduced sense of security and an overwhelming workload. These factors have a direct impact on their participation in training, job-seeking, willingness to engage with institutions and business decision-making.
The psychosocial component of SIMPLE does not necessarily mean specialist therapy in every activity. Rather, it means designing support in a way that is sensitive to participants’ stress levels and life circumstances. It is about creating a safe atmosphere, clear communication, predictability, the kindness of facilitators, empowering participants, building self-confidence and referring them to specialist support when needed.
Key message: Without a sense of safety, empowerment and trust, even good may not yield lasting results.
Replicating the SIMPLE model does not mean simply copying activities from one country to another. It means transferring the logic behind the change, the key components and the principles for working with the target group to a new context. Each local implementation should retain the main objective of SIMPLE, namely to strengthen the employability, social and professional integration, and economic self-reliance of refugees and migrants from Ukraine, but may differ in terms of organisational structure, the duration of support, the selection of partners, the topics covered in the modules, and the tools used.
The most important thing is to understand what constitutes the core of the model and what can be adapted. The core consists of an integrated approach, needs assessment, work on skills and agency, ecosystem-based collaboration, and a focus on tangible outcomes for participants. What can be adapted, however, are the specific formats of the sessions, the timetable, the number of hours, the selection of experts, recruitment channels and local procedures.
Key message: We replicate the operational logic, not an identical programme of activities.
The first step in replication is to gain a thorough understanding of the local context. An organisation wishing to implement a SIMPLE-inspired model should begin by asking: who are the people we want to support, what barriers do they face, and what services are already available in that area? The needs of women with young children will differ from those of people aged 50 and over, from those of highly qualified people working below their skill level, and from those of people who are only just considering self-employment.
The context analysis should cover the legal situation, the local labour market, the availability of language courses, childcare, public services, the activities of NGOs, the presence of migrant organisations, employers’ willingness to cooperate, and access to funding. Only such an assessment allows us to decide which elements of SIMPLE are most needed.
Key message: There can be no successful replication without a local assessment.
SIMPLE can be implemented through various pathways. In one context, entrepreneurship and self-employment may be the most important; in another, career guidance and entry into the labour market; and in yet another, institutional orientation, language, digital skills or community building. The choice of pathway should be based on an assessment of local needs and resources, rather than on the assumption that the same programme must be implemented everywhere.
A well-designed SIMPLE pathway may combine several elements, but it should have a clear priority. If the main barrier is a lack of access to employers, employer engagement needs to be developed more strongly. If participants have business ideas but are unfamiliar with the procedures, business advice and e-government services will be important. If participants are socially isolated, a community-building component will be needed.
Key message: The SIMPLE approach should be a response to a local problem, not a ready-made formula.
Any replication requires a distinction to be made between what should not be changed and what should be adapted. Core elements are those responsible for the model’s effectiveness. In SIMPLE, these are: employability focus, needs assessment, personalised pathways, integration of services, stakeholder collaboration, practical learning, participant engagement and monitoring of outcomes.
Adaptable elements are those that can take various forms. The programme duration, number of sessions, online or face-to-face format, language of materials, order of modules, profile of experts, recruitment method, type of partners or local administrative tools can all be modified. Effective adaptation does not weaken the model, but enhances its usefulness in a given context.
Key message: Adaptation is a prerequisite for effective replication, but must not compromise the core of the model.
SIMPLE assumes that sustainable support cannot be provided by a single organisation acting alone. A local ecosystem is needed, in which different actors play complementary roles. Public administration can ensure access to services and procedures. NGOs can reach out to participants and build trust. Employers can offer market knowledge, work placements, mentoring or employment. Educational and training institutions can develop skills and provide tools.
Building an ecosystem does not necessarily mean establishing a formal partnership between everyone straight away. Sometimes it is enough to start with a few stakeholders and simple forms of cooperation: joint recruitment, an information session, expert consultation, a joint event or referring participants to the appropriate institution.
Key message: SIMPLE works best where where support is rooted in local cooperation.
Once the context and partners have been identified, the participant’s pathway must be designed. The pathway should address the following questions: how does the participant find out about the programme; how do they access support; how are their needs identified; which modules do they receive; who provides the counselling; how is an action plan drawn up; and what happens once the main support cycle has ended.
The pathway should be straightforward for the participant, even if it involves many organisations behind the scenes. A person with a migration background should not have to ‘piece together’ support from a multitude of scattered services on their own. It is the ecosystem that should help them progress through the successive stages in a way that is understandable, safe and sustainable.
Key message: A good support pathway guides the participant step by step and reduces the risk of them getting lost between services.
The next step is to select specific tools and modules. These may include workshops, one-to-one consultations, mentoring, meetings with experts, study visits, practical exercises, e-learning materials, support groups, language modules, digital modules, and business or career advice. It is important that each module has a clearly defined purpose.
Modules should not be chosen simply because they are easy to organise, but because they address a specific need of the participants. If the participants are unfamiliar with the principles of running a business, an introductory module is needed. If they have ideas but do not know how to organise them, work on a business model is required. If they are apprehensive about dealing with government departments, an administration module is needed.
Key message: Each module should have its place in the chain of change.
Even the best-designed support programme will not work if participants are unable to take part in it in practice. That is why replicating SIMPLE requires consideration of accessibility: meeting times, location, whether the programme is delivered online or face-to-face, the language of communication, childcare, travel costs, the level of difficulty of the materials, and a safe and supportive atmosphere.
Inclusivity also means being prepared to adapt activities as they are carried out. If participants are struggling with the pace of the sessions, the pace needs to be slowed down. If they need more practical examples, the theoretical content needs to be reduced. If fear of institutions is a barrier, trust needs to be built and real-life situations practised.
Key message: Accessibility is not an add-on of an organisation. It is a prerequisite the model’s effectiveness.
Checklist
Employers’ involvement is crucial, as employability does not depend solely on the participants’ preparation. It also depends on the labour market’s readiness to accept people with a migration background, its understanding of their qualifications, its flexibility regarding care responsibilities, its openness to diversity, and its ability to support their integration into the workplace.
Employers do not need to be involved only at the end of the programme. They can help earlier on: by identifying skills needs, taking part in mentoring, offering study visits, advising on the training programme, organising work placements or helping participants understand the realities of the labour market. In the case of the entrepreneurship pathway, the private sector can also support networking, contacts with clients and an understanding of different industries.
Key message: Employers are part of the ecosystem of change, rather than merely recipients of ready-made candidates.
Monitoring and evaluation are necessary to check whether the model is working and which elements require improvement. In SIMPLE, it is particularly important to measure not only the number of activities, but also changes in participants: knowledge, competences, self-confidence, understanding of the system, readiness for work, entrepreneurial readiness and the quality of action plans.
In practice, methods such as PRE–POST self-assessments, module evaluation questionnaires, final questionnaires, feedback from facilitators, questionnaires for institutional partners, interviews, observations and case studies can be used. Data should be utilised not only at the end of the project, but also throughout its duration, so that support can be adapted to actual needs.
Key message: Evaluation in SIMPLE is not a formality. It is a tool for learning and improving the model.
The replication of the SIMPLE model should be adaptive in nature. This means that organisers should not assume that everything can be predicted before activities begin. New barriers may arise during implementation: lower attendance, different needs among participants, language that is too difficult, lack of time, a need for additional guidance, greater interest in entrepreneurship or, conversely, a greater need for career support.
That is why short feedback loops are important: discussions with participants, quick surveys, trainers’ comments, team meetings, consultations with partners and data analysis. Adaptation does not mean chaos. It means consciously adjusting activities so as to maintain the model’s objective and logic, whilst better responding to reality.
Key message: The SIMPLE model should be stable in its objectives but flexible in how it is implemented.
The replication of the SIMPLE model should be adaptive in nature. This means that organisers should not assume that all participants’ needs and barriers can be anticipated before the activities begin. In practice, it is only during implementation that it becomes clear whether the pace of the sessions is appropriate, whether participants understand the language of the materials, whether they need more one-to-one consultations, and whether they are more interested in the entrepreneurial, employment or institutional pathways.
Learning as you go does not mean lacking a plan. On the contrary – it requires a clear logical framework for the model, but also a readiness to make adjustments. SIMPLE should be stable in its objectives but flexible in its implementation. Organisers should regularly analyse feedback from participants, facilitators, advisers and institutional partners, and then make improvements where necessary.
Key message: Successful replication does not involve rigidly sticking to a plan, but rather consciously adapting actions without losing sight of the model’s logic.
SIMPLE assumes that, before an organisation begins to adapt the model locally, it should assess its readiness. This is not merely a question of whether the organisation ‘wants’ to carry out the activities, but whether it understands the local context, has access to the target group, is able to collaborate with partners, has the basic resources at its disposal, and is able to design activities in an accessible and inclusive manner.
The SIMPLE readiness tools help to structure this reflection. They can be used before the training to identify the starting point, or after the training to plan the next steps. Their value lies in the fact that they translate the general idea of replication into practical questions: what do we already have, what are we missing, who should we collaborate with, and where can we start?
Key message: Readiness for replication is a combination of knowledge, resources, partnerships and a realistic action plan.
The replication readiness tool helps organisations move from a general interest in the SIMPLE model to their first action plan. It can be treated as a strategic checklist. First, it is worth checking whether we know our target group and their needs. Next, you need to assess whether SIMPLE activities are aligned with the organisation’s mission, whether you have the necessary staff and time, whether you know your local partners, and whether you can adapt the model to local procedures, language, culture and available services.
It is important not to treat this tool as a test that must be ‘passed’ perfectly. A low or moderate level of readiness in certain areas does not mean that the organisation cannot implement the model. Rather, it means that it should start with a smaller pilot project, find partners to supplement its resources, or limit the scope of activities to what is realistically achievable.
Key message: The readiness tool is not intended for formal assessment, but to help you make an informed decision about the scale and approach to getting started.
Low readiness → Start with partnerships
Medium readiness → Start with a small pilot
High readiness → Design a full local pathway
At the end of the module, participants can draw up a brief SIMPLE replication mini-plan tailored to their own context. This exercise should help them translate the training content into practical decisions. Participants select a target group, define the key barriers, outline a possible support pathway, identify partners and plan a first realistic step.
The mini-plan does not need to be a fully-fledged project. Its aim is to stimulate implementation-oriented thinking: what can we do first, with whom, for whom and to what extent. It is important that the plan is small, specific and testable. SIMPLE is best developed through piloting, learning and gradually strengthening the ecosystem.
Suggested questions for discussion:
Who do we want to support?
What are the three main barriers facing this group?
Which SIMPLE pathway is most appropriate?
What partners do we need?
What initial small-scale pilot can we launch?
SIMPLE should be understood as a model for change, rather than a ready-made set of activities to be copied. Its essence lies in adapting proven social innovations to local conditions, whilst retaining the core logic: enhancing employability, social and professional integration, entrepreneurship, agency and ecosystem-based collaboration.
There are three key takeaways from the module. Firstly, effective support requires identifying the participants’ actual needs. Secondly, individual activities are insufficient unless they form a coherent pathway. Thirdly, sustainability and scalability depend on the local ecosystem: public institutions, NGOs, employers, educational institutions and migrant communities.
Subsequent modules expand on these elements: Module 2 shows how to build local cooperation; Module 3 focuses on employers and economic integration; and Module 4 teaches how to design accessible, flexible and inclusive initiatives.
Key message: SIMPLE can be replicated when we understand its logic, know how to adapt it and are able to build local cooperation around it.
Collaboration is at the heart of the SIMPLE project. We work with a diverse range of stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society to achieve our goals. Our partnerships are crucial for establishing strong networks, sharing resources, and maximizing the impact of our initiatives for Ukrainian refugees.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.
Legal description – Creative Commons licensing: The materials published on the SIMPLE project website are classified as Open Educational Resources' (OER) and can be freely (without permission of their creators): downloaded, used, reused, copied, adapted, and shared by users, with information about the source of their origin.
