Opora Foundation

Opora Foundation was founded in 2022 in response to the arrival of displaced people from Ukraine in the Netherlands. It uses an evidence-based approach to tackling the long-term challenges faced by displaced individuals and other communities in need. Opora designs programs that aim to improve the lives of migrants in the Netherlands, other countries in the EU, and beyond. Opora creates solutions rooted in real needs, identified through rigorous research. Opora offers in-depth research, expert advice on social innovations, and practical solutions for displaced communities. With tailored solutions addressing specific needs, Opora supports a wide range of social initiatives, particularly for displaced people. Opora’s qualified team is always available to assist in making informed policy decisions. Opora’s team of international experts has a diverse range of backgrounds in academia, business, social work, and policy development. Opora Foundation works together to make a positive impact.

In the Skills Alliance for Ukraine, Opora Foundation is represented with one project:

• Opora’s Empatia program is designed to enhance access to mental health support for displaced Ukrainians in the Netherlands. Its primary objectives include training Dutch professionals in preventive mental health strategies, establishing a helpline to provide direct support to displaced individuals, and integrating Ukrainian psychologists into the Dutch mental health sector. To further strengthen its impact, the program also offers specialized training for Ukrainian psychologists to prepare them for work in local mental health services.

• Beyond providing immediate support, Empatia seeks to create long-term impact by transferring the knowledge and expertise developed in the Netherlands to aid in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. The Empatia model has the potential to expand into fields such as education, law enforcement, and community health, both in Ukraine and across EU countries, helping displaced individuals access the services they need. In this way, Empatia serves as an effective dual-intent model: it increases support for displaced communities during their time in EU countries while offering a scalable framework that can be implemented in Ukraine.