NEWSLETTER 3

«Improving the Skills of Social Workers Working with
Asylum Seekers and Refugees»

Interculturality in social work: methodological guidelines 

We are pleased to announce the publication of a comprehensive methodology designed to the social workers in their work with forced migrants.

The methodological guidelines have been developed in the framework of the project “ENHANCED SOCIAL WORKERS – Enhancing intercultural communication competences for social workers in the provision of assistance to forced migrants”, co-financed by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme, project No. 2023-1-LT01-KA210- ADU-000151010.

The methodological guidelines have been developed in a unique way – the partners of the project analysing the methods used by Lithuanian and Cypriot social workers in their work with forced migrants, taking part in a joint experiential learning intercultural activity, learning from each other, formulating the topics of the methodology, reflecting and applying the methods presented in the publication.

The project’s ENHANCED SOCIAL WORKERS methodological guidelines programme consists of three modules:

Module 1: Development of Intercultural Communication competences

Module 2: Psychosocial characteristics of forced migrants

Module 3: Practical guidelines for the application of methods

Access the methodology here:

https://spinstitutas.lt/out_data/files/ESW_metodika_EN.pdf

We invite the social work practitioners and academics to explore this resource and integrate its findings into their work. Together, we can strengthen the impact of social work across Europe.

The final transnational partners meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus

On 10-11 December 2024, the final transnational partners meeting of the project “ENHANCED SOCIAL WORKERS” took place in Nicosia, Cyprus.

This meeting marked the culmination of the project, bringing together all partners to reflect on achievements, evaluate the outcomes, and discuss the dissemination and sustainability of the results.

During the event, the methodology developed through the project was presented to the academic community in the Department of Psychology and Social Sciences at Frederick University. The presentation showcased the comprehensive findings and the main result – an innovative methodology – highlighting its potential benefits for social work students.

The discussions focused on how the methodology could be effectively integrated into educational settings to equip future social workers with advanced skills. The meeting also provided a platform to explore opportunities for extending the impact of the project, fostering new collaborations, and ensuring that the project's legacy continues beyond its official end.

The event concluded with a mutual agreement to continue applying the methodology developed during the project and to further enhance opportunities in social work education and practice.

THE PARTNERSHIP

The coordinator of the project is the Jonava Social Services Center, Lithuania and partners the Social Projects Institute, Lithuania and from Cyprus the Pancyprian Family and Child Support Association "KIΒOTOS".

The Project is co-funded by the European Union. The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission and National Agency cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.