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International Journal of
Population Studies Social inclusion for refugees

1. Introduction of available social support. Numerous studies highlight
the crucial role of social support in ensuring successful
Migration is a complex, multifaceted process that integration, emphasizing the need for coordinated policies
significantly influences the economy, society, and cultural that address the specific needs of these groups. While the
dynamics of both origin and destination countries. integration of refugees into host societies offers numerous
Modern migration flows are characterized by great benefits, it also carries the potential risk of “refugee
diversity, encompassing economic migrants seeking better fatigue.” A recent study on the Ukrainian refugee crisis
opportunities, as well as refugees fleeing conflicts and highlights that the absence of long-term strategies and
persecution. Migration – the movement of people from
one place of residence to another – can be voluntary or the burden on cities hosting large refugee populations
forced, temporary or permanent, and occur within a may contribute to a growing sense of fatigue, both among
refugees and local communities (Hierro and Maza, 2024).
country or across its borders. The reasons for migration This phenomenon can undermine the effectiveness of
include economic advancement, family reunification, or
access to education. In contrast, refuge involves the forced integration policies and weaken the social cohesion of host
displacement of people who left their country due to well- communities. Addressing this issue requires a multi-level
founded fears of persecution based on race, nationality, approach involving long-term planning, city-led relocation
religion, citizenship, membership in a particular social initiatives, and targeted support measures to strengthen the
group, or political opinion. Refugees often leave their resilience of both refugees and host communities. Existing
country to escape threats to their lives and safety. Striking research underscores the importance of well-defined and
examples include the mass displacement of people from coordinated integration policies. A study by De Coninck
Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, and other regions (2022) highlights the need for equitable policies, pointing
affected by war, political instability, or economic crises. out disparities in integration approaches for different
The displacement of Ukrainian refugees represents the refugee groups. In its Rights and Support for Ukrainian
displacement of the largest group of individuals within the Refugees in Receiving Countries report, the Organization
European Union (EU) in recent years. A larger number for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD,
of people were displaced during the Second World War. 2022) highlights the effectiveness of coordinated EU
It is estimated that the number of Ukrainian refugees has measures in providing essential services to refugees. The
exceeded 7,000,000 since the start of military operations in OECD (2022) emphasizes labor market integration as a key
February 2022 (Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, component of inclusion, where successful integration often
2024; International Organization for Migration [IOM], depends on the active involvement of local communities.
2023). This mass displacement has created significant A study by Jelínková et al. (2023) highlights the crucial role
social and economic challenges not only for host countries of local municipalities in supporting refugee integration,
but for Europe as a whole. This study focuses on three while Panizzon and Riemsdijk (2019) advocate for a
European countries – Poland, Germany, and the Czech multi-level migration management approach that ensures
Republic – chosen for their geographical proximity to coordination among international, national, and local
Ukraine and the presence of their large Ukrainian refugee levels.
populations. Notably, as the war enters its 3 year, local Discrimination and bias can significantly hinder
rd
communities are increasingly experiencing so-called refugee integration. Sow (2022) discusses the impact of
“refugee fatigue” due to the presence of a large number of racial biases in international law on refugee integration,
displaced persons (Wesolowsky, 2024). The novelty of this while Bajaj and Stanford (2022) highlight the negative
study lies in the development of an innovative integration effects of racism and discrimination on the mental and
model. Based on a comprehensive analysis of existing physical health of refugees. Economic integration is also
social support and integration systems from 2022 to 2024, crucial for successful refugee settlement. Kolodiziev et al.
the study identifies the most effective mechanisms for the (2024) and Uzoma et al. (2020) underscore the importance
integration of Ukrainian refugees. of providing refugees with opportunities to participate in

2. Literature review and analytical the labor market and become self-sufficient.
framework for refugee integration Cultural adaptation and social inclusion are essential
for the well-being of refugees. Several studies explore
2.1. The impact of social support on the integration various aspects of cultural and social integration, including
of refugees the role of language, social networks, and community
The integration of refugees into host countries is a complex participation (Burliai et al., 2023; Dotsey, 2024; Kupenko
process significantly influenced by the level and quality et al., 2023; Trung, 2023; Zanin and De Freitas, 2023).

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 131 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.4502