Sensitization as the tool for understanding

<< Background >>Across Slovakia, Austria and Martinique, organisations working with migrants and refugees reported recurring day-to-day barriers: communication misunderstandings, low awareness of rights and procedures, limited coordination between services, and burnout among frontline staff. While housing, jobs and language courses are essential, many problems arise in the “everyday interactions” where people meet systems—schools, social services, health care, NGOs and employers. The consortium applied to address this practical gap. We needed a shared, evidence-based approach to sensitization: concrete methods that help professionals recognise bias, communicate with care, de-escalate tensions and guide people through services in plain language. The project aimed to turn what works on the ground into simple tools that any trainer or organisation can use, while strengthening cooperation between partners and local stakeholders and highlighting the EU’s role in supporting inclusive communities.<< Objectives >>Improve the competences and confidence of practitioners and trainers who interact with migrants and refugees in daily settings. 2) Strengthen intercultural practice by providing practical methods—trauma-aware communication, bias reduction, de-escalation scripts, and plain-language guidance. 3) Create a coherent, easy-to-reuse sensitization toolkit and a training curriculum that organisations can adapt to their sector and country. 4) Build a small network of multipliers able to deliver quality sessions after the project (Training-of-Trainers). 5) Increase informed awareness among stakeholders and the wider public about why sensitization complements housing, employment and language support, and how the EU fosters cooperation and knowledge sharing on inclusion.<< Implementation >>We first mapped the state of the art through desk research and 60 semi-structured interviews (migrants/refugees and frontline professionals) to capture barriers, working practices and needs. Based on this evidence, Fremde werden Freunde led the co-creation of a 52-page sensitization toolkit and a modular Training-of-Trainers curriculum with session plans, slides, checklists and role-plays. Partners then delivered small-group workshops tailored to key audiences (educators, social services, volunteers, SME/community stakeholders, health/psychosocial staff) using a blended format. Communication and dissemination included a visual identity, infographics, coordinated communciation, local events and five short videos with to support training and public engagement.<< Results >>Concrete outputs: a comparative state-of-the-art report; a sensitization toolkit; a modular trainer curriculum with ready-to-run sessions, slides and facilitator guides; sector-specific workshop models; a standard template for exercises; five subtitled videos; and a basic brand and communication pack. Partners ran small-group trainings in three countries (90 participants), reporting increased confidence in handling sensitive conversations, using plain-language explanations and coordinating referrals. The assets are reusable and openly shareable, enabling partners and local multipliers to continue delivery after the project. Wider results include stronger ties among organisations, clearer messages for stakeholders and communities, and practical resources that make inclusion work more effective in everyday settings.