Project; ongoing
EUSDR Priority Area(s): PA 10 Institutional Capacity & Cooperation
The project supports and empowers refugee women, mothers and their families from Ukraine and communities in bordering countries. With a focus on a trauma-sensitive approach, the foreseen activities are based on three pillars:
- exchange and network building,
- capacity building and empowerment,
- development of Mother Centre initiatives in Ukraine as a “safe space” for informal learning and democracy building.
Objectives: The project aims to facilitate dialogue (e. g. round tables) between Mother Centres in the Danube Region, local authorities and the economy, and offers training in leadership skills and self-management to individuals. Roma women with refugee background are explicitly involved. Also, ecological awareness-raising will play an important role.
As part of the project, Mother Centre initiatives from Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czechia as bordering countries to Ukraine have the possibility to receive seed funding for their activities. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a joint workshop on peace work in post-war countries will be conducted.
Need and (expected) impact: The project addresses the identified need to support and empower refugee women, mothers, and families from Ukraine and neighbouring border communities. With a focus on trauma-sensitive approaches, it aims to provide essential assistance and resources to those facing unique challenges in their displacement.
Through the three pillars, the project facilitates dialogues, fosters community collaboration and promotes socio-economic empowerment. By engaging local authorities and marginalised groups like Roma women, it creates a pathway for inclusive development and cross-cultural understanding. Additionally, its emphasis on ecological awareness and peace-building efforts further contributes to sustainable and harmonious communities.
Macro-regional dimension: The project’s network is comprised by Mother Center initiatives from Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Bulgaria, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Czechia, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. The consortium is open for further initiatives from other countries.
Stakeholders involved: State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg, Mother centres in the EUSDR, local authorities, general public.
Budget and Funding: The project is co-financed by the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg.
Further information: https://minemothercenters.org/mothers-for-peace-and-ecology/
Contact: Ms Andrea Laux, Chair of Board, Mother Centers International Network for Empowerment e.V.,
