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Caring to Include is a three year programme started in November 2024, offering post-trauma mental health support. In addition to the Estonian Refugee Council, the programme involves the Dutch Council for Refugees and humanitarian organisations from Hungary, Estonia, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, and Croatia. 

The project aims to reduce the negative effects of trauma and other stressors on the social inclusion of refugees and migrants. At the same time, this initiative will also improve the mental health of NGO staff and volunteers working with these vulnerable groups.

During this project, we will create a sustainable Community of Practice (CoP) for NGOs across Europe to share knowledge and expertise on trauma-informed support for refugees and migrants and staff care of NGOs working in the refugee field.

In addition, we will develop two toolkits that address mental health and self-care for NGO staff and volunteers and trauma-informed and culturally sensitive methods to support refugees and migrants. In the same context, the toolkits will help organising training and exchange programmes to improve service delivery. We will ensure long-term implementation of these best practices in participating organisations.

Read more about the programme here.

Comparative Report

Estonian Refugee Council and its partners have conducted a comparative report on seven refugee-assisting organisations in Europe. As part of the Caring to Include project (Erasmus+), it identifies challenges, good practices, and clear priorities for improving staff mental well-being and embedding trauma-informed approaches.
The report was compiled from seven NGOs in Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Malta, and the Netherlands. 

Our research consisted of:

• 82 refugees consulted.
• 105 staff and volunteers surveyed/interviewed.
• 53 external experts and associated partners consulted.

Download the comparative report on the leading partner's Dutch Council for Refugee's webpage.

New Handbook Supports Civil Society in Building Strong Communities of Practice 

The Handbook for Setting Up a Community of Practice is now available. It was developed within the Erasmus+ project Caring to Include and gives civil society organisations supporting refugees across Europe a clear, practical roadmap, guiding them through all phases of establishing and sustaining a Community of Practice (CoP). 

The handbook explains how to define a shared purpose, create inclusive structures, facilitate peer learning, and ensure long-term sustainability.  

This guide is based on real experience within the Caring to Include CoP. It emphasises collaboration, mental well-being, trauma-informed approaches, in addition to the importance of creating supportive spaces for staff and volunteers working under high pressure. It also includes ready-to-use examples such as a framework, inclusion plan, and sustainability plan that organisations can adapt to their own context.  

The publication aims to help organisations across Europe strengthen peer learning, deepen solidarity, and build resilient support systems for refugees. 

Download the handbook. 

For more information, please contact: ip@dcfr.nl 

First Caring to Include Toolkit Published: A Co-Creative Milestone for Staff and Volunteer Well-Being

We are proud to announce the publication of the first Caring to Include toolkit, developed to strengthen the well-being of staff and volunteers who support refugees and people seeking protection. This toolkit marks an important milestone in the project and provides practical guidance, tools, and strategies to promote resilience, team cohesion, and sustainable well-being in organisations working in the refugee-support sector.

The new toolkit is the result of a truly co-creative process carried out with project partners across seven countries. Drawing on extensive research, interviews, facilitated discussions, and a mapping of best practices, the partnership collaboratively identified priority needs and gaps and developed resources tailored to the realities of frontline organisations.

The first Caring to Include toolkit consists of three components:

• a manual for the training “Work and Wellbeing – How Can I Take Good Care of Myself?”
• Team-Building, Diversity & Resilience Manual
• Templates for Developing a Well-being Strategy and Policies

These tools are designed for practical use and will be piloted in 2026 in collaboration with partner organisations. 

The publication of this first toolkit marks the beginning of a series: in early 2026, partners will meet to define priorities for the second toolkit, which will focus on trauma-informed approaches.

The Caring to Include project is implemented by seven refugee-assisting organisations in Europe, funded by Erasmus+. The project is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening the well-being and resilience of those who work tirelessly to support others.

For more information, please contact: ip@dcfr.nl 

The project is funded by Erasmus+ programme. 

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