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Embrace Friendship:
Join the Buddy Programme for Ukraine
Are you eager to make new friends and help others feel welcome in their new community?
The Buddy Programme for Ukraine is an initiative designed to help Ukrainians feel at ease and welcome in their new surroundings while offering locals an opportunity to help others while making new friends.
The programme builds the exchange of cultural insights, language skills, hobbies, and other interests while building friendships. It connects Ukrainians with locals through digital and in-person meetups, with activities that build new connections and cross-cultural understanding.
Here is an overview of the programme and how you can join the community:
One-on-One Meetups
We pair each participant with a buddy with similar interests and goals, encouraging connections and support. Buddies meet regularly for casual activities like grabbing a coffee, exploring local attractions, playing sports, or exchanging language skills.
Community Building
The Buddy Programme for Ukraine focuses on community building. We organise group events that highlight local culture and Ukrainian themes, building cross-cultural connections. On nature and city walks organised by TEEI, participants explore local landscapes, attend cultural events, or join a dinner exchange that brings local and Ukrainian families together over shared meals and traditions. These events build new friendships and help participants feel more connected to their local community.
See here to join our Buddy Programme for Ukraine Facebook group in Norway, where you can connect with like-minded individuals and stay updated on our events.
Use this link to join our Buddy Programme for Ukraine Telegram group, where you can connect with peers, share experiences, and stay updated on upcoming events and opportunities.
Support and Organisation of Events
Alongside pairing participants with buddies and hosting regular group events, we support and organise local activities. Through these events, we bring participants together, build cultural exchange, and create opportunities for new connections.
Join Us
Are you ready to gather new experiences, create lasting friendships, and learn about new cultures?
Take advantage of the opportunity to join the Buddy Programme for Ukraine.
Sign up today and feel the joy of connecting with new people, engaging in unique activities, and becoming part of a caring community.
Get Involved
Everyone can contribute, which is why we are calling on people like you to join us in building a supportive environment for Ukrainians. Whether you organise events and activities or simply act as a buddy to someone new in the area, your involvement helps the programme succeed. If you share our vision and want to help, please contact us.
Together, we can forge lasting friendships and cultural understanding that will enrich you and the people you support.
Email us at: contact@theeducationalequalityinstitute.org
For Organisations and Companies: If your organisation or company wants to help organise an event or to have your employees volunteer for the Buddy Programme, we would like to hear from you. Please email us at contact@theeducationalequalityinstitute.org to discuss how we can collaborate.
More About Our Work: Want more details about our corporate volunteering opportunities? Read our article on the corporate volunteering programme to see how your company can get involved and have a real impact.
For participants who want to develop career prospects alongside cultural integration, the Mentors for Ukraine programme connects 2,000+ displaced Ukrainians with 400+ professional mentors who can guide their job search in European labour markets. Many participants also benefit from Language Connect, where free 1-to-1 conversation sessions build the language confidence that buddy conversations begin. The employment barriers that make both these programmes so necessary are documented in the analysis of employment among Ukrainian refugees.