On 26 September 2025, during the EU-wide European Researchers’ Night, the VOICE project was officially presented at the Università degli Studi “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara (UdA) with the seminar “ImAgine VOICE: A project empowering Ukrainian immigrants across Europe”.
The presentation, delivered by Prof. Mariapia D’Angelo (UdA) and Stefano Natale (EPIC), introduced VOICE to a large and diverse audience of students, faculty members, stakeholders and citizens. Throughout the day, the VOICE team also managed two dedicated info-corners, engaging in more than 200 conversations with visitors interested in the project’s goals and activities.
Why VOICE at European Researchers’ Night Matters
The European Researchers’ Night – a long-established European initiative promoted by the European Commission since 2005 to bring research and education closer to the wider public – provided an ideal setting to showcase VOICE’s mission. Presenting within this high-visibility event allowed the project to connect with thousands of attendees, highlight its social-innovation dimension, and raise awareness about the integration and empowerment of Ukrainian refugees across Europe.
The project’s aims and methodology sparked strong interest from numerous professors and students, especially those working on social innovation, digital education and community development. Several Ukrainian participants also approached the team to express genuine appreciation, gather information materials and follow the project’s upcoming activities.
A Day of Engagement and Dialogue
Beyond the main presentation, the VOICE stands remained active for the entire event, attracting continuous interaction from the public. Visitors engaged with the team about:
• VOICE’s approach to refugee inclusion and empowerment
• the importance of accessible, multilingual training pathways
• the social-innovation practices emerging across partner countries
• opportunities to collaborate or participate in future project phases
This direct dialogue with the public reinforced the project’s commitment to transparency, community engagement and evidence-based inclusion strategies.
Looking Ahead
Following the strong response at NdR, VOICE will continue expanding its outreach and dissemination activities. The next months will focus on:
- WP3 training adaptation and localisation
- stakeholder involvement at local and EU level
- community-oriented promotional events
- preparation for the pilot phase
The team encourages all interested individuals – stakeholders, institutions, researchers, and refugee communities – to follow VOICE’s updates and join future initiatives.
About VOICE
VOICE (Vocational Opportunities and Integration for Refugee Community Empowerment) is a Social Innovation initiative co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF+) and carried out by seven partners across four European countries.
The project supports the employability, digital readiness and social inclusion of Ukrainian refugees through coordinated mapping, tailored training and community-based innovation.
Project Website: www.voice-inclusion.eu
Email: voiceesfproject@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voiceinclusion/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-inclusion/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Voice_esf_project
