Finding Refuge in Romania

The choice that many citizens who live in war-torn countries face is not an easy one: to stay where they are and potentially risk their lives, or to abandon what they know in search of a better, more secure future. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine having battered the lives of millions since early 2022, many of its citizens have had to reconcile with that decision.

In Romania – just one of many nearby countries that has stepped up to offer refuge to those fleeing Ukraine – a team of ExchangeAlumni have sprung into action to integrate refugees into a new life.

Through an Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) grant subsidized by the U.S. Department of State, two International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) ExchangeAlumni in Bucharest are leading the “Navigating Romania” project, which involves a series of trainings aimed toward equipping Ukrainians with the tools and language skills they need to succeed in the country.

Cosmin Pojoranu and Elena Calistru started the project in 2022. It consists of six training sessions, with each session bringing in trainers, translators, and legal experts to prepare a curriculum in multiple languages around a relevant theme. The trainings have taken place weekly, with attendance ranging from 23-26 people.

One goal of the project is to support refugees in finding employment, and the team has organized networking and community events where participants can connect with potential employers in the area.

With over 80,000 refugees having settled into life in Romania since the war began in 2022, the program has offered a space for many to come and meet fellow refugees, connect with local Romanians, and learn about potential job opportunities in Romania.

Cosmin and Elena hope that the project will empower refugees to find autonomy in their everyday lives. “This is about a series of trainings that are essential to offer Ukrainians more autonomy and opportunities for their life in Romania,” the team said.

With the project aiming to wrap up by February 2023, the team expects the project to have directly benefited 370 refugees and indirectly benefited 20,000 people, equipping them with the necessary tools to navigate everyday life in Romania.

Cosmin, who works at Funky Citizens, completed his IVLP in 2019. His exchange was focused around educating youth around civic engagement, and he visited with educators across the country – including in Washington, D.C., Iowa, California, Texas, and Florida.

Elena, who also works for Funky Citizens, completed her IVLP in 2017. Her program was similarly focused around civic engagement, and she had the opportunity to learn from educators across Washington, D.C., Iowa, Utah, and Louisiana.

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) is an annual grant competition which calls upon ExchangeAlumni to improve their community, drawing on the skills, networks, and experience of their international exchange. It is awarded by the Bureau of Educational Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

Congratulations, Cosmin and Elena, on the success of your AEIF project!