Kateryna Skiba, Vice-Rector for Research and Development at Khmelnytsky National University, recently took part in the second meeting of the INSPIRE project team in Izmir, Turkey. The INSPIRE project is led by the Shannon University of Technology in Ireland and is funded by the Erasmus+ program. The project will run from November 2023 to November 2025. It aims to provide innovative support for the development of entrepreneurship among refugees in the tourism sector, with a special focus on those affected by the war in Ukraine.
The INSPIRE project promotes faster integration of refugees into society and provides them with access to higher education through a range of innovative resources and support systems:
- Identify examples of best practices: highlighting successful strategies and overcoming barriers faced by refugee entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.
- Data collection: comprehensive primary and secondary research conducted in Ireland, Belgium, Croatia, Turkey and Ukraine to gather valuable information.
- Creating educational and support tools: development of digital awards, a mobile application and a best practices guide for entrepreneurs working in the field of tourism with refugees.
- A searchable database: source with a list of educational, financial and business support available to refugee entrepreneurs.
The meeting in Izmir was organized at Dokuz Eylül University. The project team analyzed the progress made and discussed the results of research and interviews conducted by partners from different countries. The discussions highlighted the wide variety of problems faced by refugees in different regions and emphasized the need for collective efforts to support their entrepreneurial initiatives.
Kateryna Skyba presented an update on the progress of the INSPIRE project at Khmelnytskyi National University. The Vice-Rector informed the partners about the current legislation and status of internally displaced persons in Ukraine, as well as the state of tourism entrepreneurship in the country. Her presentation included a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in the Ukrainian context, which made a valuable contribution to the overall project goals.
Kateryna Skiba expressed her gratitude for the cooperation and hard work of the project team, noting the special contribution of partners such as Hogeschool PXL University of Applied Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, University of Applied Sciences in Rijeka, and Businet. The Vice-Rector emphasized that active discussions and data collection within the project make an extremely valuable contribution to supporting Ukrainian IDPs and other refugees.
Kateryna Skiba's participation in this event emphasizes Khmelnytskyi National University's commitment to supporting refugee communities and promoting entrepreneurship through education and innovative projects. The INSPIRE project is an example of joint international efforts aimed at addressing pressing social issues, providing practical solutions and resources to improve the lives of refugees and their integration into higher education and the tourism industry.
