Pan-Baltic Exchange Seminar: Labour Market Inclusion of Ukrainian Refugees

As the Baltic region has faced rapid and unprecedented arrivals from Ukraine, over the last two years countries in the region have found different solutions to difficulties regarding reception and integration of Ukrainian civilians. As successful labour market integration is one of the key aspects that determines individuals’ resilience and self-reliance. As the Baltic countries continue to carry out reception and integration processes, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, in collaboration with UNHCR Representation for the Nordic and Baltic Countries, Centre for Public Policy Providus, Estonian Refugee Council and Shelter “Safe House” is organising an experience exchange seminar involving integration practitioners and employers from Nordic-Baltic region in order to share experiences and knowledge about relevant issues in the context of labour market integration of Ukrainian civilians residing in respective countries.

13:30-14:00 Arrival, registration, and coffee

14:00-14:10 Short introduction from Stockholm School of Economics in Riga

14:10-14:40 Setting the scene: labor market inclusion of Ukrainian refugees in the Baltic Countries: overview of recent studies

• Dārta Pelse, Providus
• Anastasia Ilieva, Associate Information Management Officer, UNHCR Representation for the Nordic and Baltic Countries

Q/A Session

14:40-15:00 Holistic employment practices from Finland: Start-Up-Refugees

• Salla-Maria Korhonen, Network Coordinator, Startup Refugees, Finland

Q/A Session

15:00-15:20 Coffee-tea break

15:20-16:00 Panel discussion: Employers' perspective on hiring Ukrainian refugees

• Representative of Rimi: Signe Kruma
• Representative of Evolution: Anna Elina Balode
• Representative of Mogotel: Līga Vite
• Moderator: Kata Fredheim, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga

16:00-16:40 Panel discussion: How to address deskilling and facilitate upskilling of Ukrainian refugees in the labor market:

• Yelizaveta Babina, Community Coordinator, Southern Finland, Startup Refugees, Finland
• Taavet Tomberg, Head of Livelihoods and Economic Recovery Programme, Estonian Refugee Council
• Lelde Ķikute, Deputy Director of the Labour Market Department, State Employment Agency
• Yuliia Horbachova, representative from the Ukrainian community in Latvia
• Moderator: Dārta Pelse, Providus

16:40-17:00 Final plenary discussion and closing

• Moderator: Kata Fredheim, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga

Please register for the event onsite or to receive the Zoom link