Exciting News! 

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See English at the bottom. Етап круглих столів і воркшопів у межах проєкту Back2Life успішно завершився, і ми раді поділитися з вами першими результатами. Запрошуємо вас ознайомитися з напрацьованими матеріалами та скористатися ними:

– Практичні посібники для фахівців і широкої громадськості вже доступні. Друковані примірники незабаром будуть поширені серед цільових груп.
– Онлайн-модулі навчання готові до використання — ви можете протестувати їх і рекомендувати жінкам, які переживають наслідки втрати членів сім’ї під час війни.
– Якщо вас цікавлять подробиці проєкту або хочете знову переглянути моменти, частиною яких ви, можливо, були, ви можете відвідати нашу фототеку та відеотеку.

Дякуємо всім за участь і підтримку. Ми з нетерпінням чекаємо наступних кроків і будемо тримати вас у курсі.

Kicking Off the Back to Life Project!

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🌟 We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Back to life project! 

🎉 Our journey to empower women of veterans, soldiers, and martyrs begins today 6 – 7 March 2025 in Bratislava, Slovakia with our first kick-off meeting. Together, we’re building brighter futures with IT tools, language skills, and specialized training of psychosocial support. Stay tuned for updates! 

💪 #B2L #EmpowerWomen #VeteransFamilies #Inclusion #ErasmusPlus    

🌟 🌟 We’re dedicated to supporting the incredible women of veterans and martyrs. Our project provides tailored trainings, language skills, and IT tools to help these women re-enter the workforce and live dignified lives. Together, we’re building a future where every woman can thrive, no matter her life situation. Stay tuned for more updates! 

💪 # B2L #EmpowerWomen #VeteransFamilies #Inclusion #HumanDignity #ErasmusPlus

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Back to Life: A Journey of Resilience and Hope

🌟24 – 25 April, 2025 Ankara, Turkey

In times of loss and adversity, unity and shared understanding become the strongest forces for healing. The Back to Life Erasmus+ Project is bridging hearts and nations, supporting veterans, soldiers, and families of martyrs in reclaiming their lives.

With the collaboration of Slovak stakeholders, the project extends its mission beyond borders. It serves as an exemplary model for providing psychosocial support to Ukrainian immigrants in Slovakia, ensuring that no one faces hardship alone.

Finding Strength Together: The Roundtable Discussions in Ankara

The Back to Life Project is more than an initiative—it is a movement of resilience, healing, and empowerment, proving that together, even the deepest wounds can find solace.

At the Nursing Home Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Center in Ankara, an extraordinary gathering took place on 24-25 April, 2025 —one where veterans, soldiers, and families of martyrs came together not only to share their pain but also to seek new ways of healing.

The roundtable discussions marked the start of this powerful event. Seated together, martyrs’ families and veterans shared their experiences, their struggles, and most importantly, their hope. The goal was clear—to create a space where emotions could be openly expressed and coping strategies could be exchanged.

One of the central themes of the discussion was the strength found in shared experiences. Participants spoke of their grief, their resilience, and the small victories that kept them going. In the face of unimaginable loss, they reflected on the importance of community and understanding.

An interactive session, titled “Gücüm Ellerimde” (“My Strength in My Hands”), allowed attendees to express their emotions through creative activities, reinforcing the idea that grief, healing, and perseverance take many forms. Another highlight, “Hayat Yolculuğu Haritam” (“My Life Journey Map”), encouraged participants to visualize their personal journeys using colorful paper, thread, and art supplies, helping them reflect on their past while embracing their future.

One of the most moving moments came when a visually impaired veteran shared his story, saying: “The last thing I saw was the blue of the sky. When I thought my movie had ended, it was actually starting again. I never gave up—I wasn’t mad at myself for never seeing it. My eyes don’t see, but my feelings do. As long as we breathe, we can achieve anything.”

💪 # B2L #EmpowerWomen #VeteransFamilies #Inclusion #HumanDignity #ErasmusPlus

This sentiment captured the essence of the roundtable discussions—a gathering rooted in resilience, support, and the human spirit’s ability to overcome.

As the event concluded, participants expressed their gratitude for the power of connection, and how shared experiences help people find strength beyond their pain. With the project’s collaboration extending to Slovakia, this model of psychosocial support is now set to inspire Ukrainian immigrants, proving that healing comes not just from personal perseverance, but from unity, understanding, and collective strength.

💪 #B2L #EmpowerWomen #VeteransFamilies #Inclusion #ErasmusPlus    

#Stay connected#Stay inspired#Together we rise.#ErasmusPlus #B2L  

Empowering Voices

🌟Round Tables in Slovakia, May 2025

As part of the Erasmus+ project Back to Life, three impactful round table events were held in Slovakia in May 2025. An expert round table in Bratislava gathered 22 professionals from education, mental health, and social services to share methodologies and shape inclusive training modules for women affected by war and displacement.

Two women’s round tables—in Bratislava and Žilina—welcomed nearly 40 Ukrainian women. These safe spaces encouraged open dialogue, peer support, and identified key needs such as language skills, digital literacy, and emotional resilience tools.

💪 # B2L #EmpowerWomen #VeteransFamilies #Inclusion #HumanDignity #ErasmusPlus

Together, the events marked a pivotal step in refining our support strategies. They gave voice to lived experiences, transforming challenges into action and solidarity into strength.

🌟Women’s Round Table – 19 May 2025, Bratislava

💪 #B2L #EmpowerWomen #VeteransFamilies #Inclusion #ErasmusPlus    

This session, facilitated by Zhannat Mukhamadieva and Tetiana Vasylenko, welcomed 20 Ukrainian women. It created a safe, supportive space to openly share their stories, challenges, and hopes. Through group discussion and reflection, participants contributed invaluable insights into the kinds of support and learning environments they consider effective and accessible. The round table revealed a clear demand for language and IT training as well as emotional resilience tools, tailored to their lived realities as women affected by military conflict.

🌟Expert Round Table – 20 May 2025, Bratislava

These emotional and close discussions created a safe, supportive space to openly share stories, challenges, and hopes of Ukrainian women. Through group discussion and reflection, participants contributed invaluable insights into the kinds of support and learning environments they consider effective and accessible. The round table revealed a clear demand for language and IT training as well as emotional resilience tools, tailored to their lived realities as women affected by military conflict.

🌟Women’s Round Table – 21 May 2025, Žilina

19 women participated in this afternoon-long session. Their feedback echoed many of the Bratislava participants’ sentiments, but also highlighted specific regional and community-based challenges in access to support services
and integration to society. The session concluded with a powerful exchange of experiences and collective reflection, reinforcing the importance of emotional safety, peer support, and practical training.

#Stay connected#Stay inspired#Together we rise.#ErasmusPlus #B2L 

AI for Life – Safely and Confidently

Kindness. Understanding. Empowerment. Digital confidence.

🌟Workshop – 22 October 2025, Digital Park II, Bratislava

On October 22, 2025, in Bratislava’s Digital Park II, the Back to Life project
continued with another inspiring workshop organized by TENENET and Joint Education, with participation from Ankara Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Il Müdürlügü.
This empowering day focused on coping with stress and PTSD, and on developing practical IT skills and digital confidence – including the responsible use of AI tools for everyday life.

Over 30 participants took part in interactive exercises, discussions, and
digital skill sessions designed to support women in their personal and
professional growth.
The feedback we received from participants during and after the
workshop was overwhelmingly positive – many expressed their wish to
attend similar events in the future and are already looking forward to the
December conference.

💪#WomenEmpowerment#AIforLife #DigitalSkill.#ErasmusPlus #B2L #EUPROJECTS#BRATISLAVA#WORKSHOPS

Workshop in České Brezovo Successfully Held

🌟Workshop 29 November 2025, České Brezovo, Slovakia

Our team carried out another meaningful community activity with collaboration with Caritas Slovakia held in České Brezovo, bringing together Ukrainian women, family members of soldiers, and individuals seeking emotional stability and practical skills in challenging times. The atmosphere throughout the day was warm, supportive, and focused on strengthening resilience.

Understanding Stress and Emotional Resilience

The workshop opened with a shared reflection on the pressures faced by families of soldiers and people living in long‑term uncertainty. Participants explored how stress manifests in everyday life and discussed ways to recognize emotional overload before it becomes overwhelming. Through guided conversation and practical exercises, the group learned simple but effective techniques for grounding, calming the body, and restoring a sense of control.

(Ukrainian: Психологічна підтримка родин військовослужбовців і стрес-менеджмент)

 #ErasmusPlus #CommunitySupport #BackToLife #WomenEmpowerment #MentalHealthMatters

Communication and Self‑Care

After lunch, the group returned to deepen the discussion. The focus shifted to communication within families, especially in situations where fear, distance, or silence create tension. Participants shared personal experiences, exchanged strategies for maintaining emotional balance, and practiced self‑care routines that can be used even during the most demanding periods. The session created a strong sense of connection and mutual understanding.

AI for Everyday Life

The final part of the workshop introduced participants to practical ways of using AI tools safely and confidently. The group explored how digital assistants can support daily tasks, learning, job searching, and communication—while also discussing risks, misinformation, and the importance of digital safety. Participants tried out simple examples and left with a clearer idea of how technology can become a helpful companion rather than a source of stress.

(Ukrainian: ШІ для життя – безпечно та впевнено)

💪#ErasmusPlus # BackToLife #WomenEmpowerment #DigitalSkills #AIForLife #ResilienceBuilding #JointEducation #Inclusion #SupportForMilitaryFamilies #LearningTogether #CaritasSlovakia

Closing Moments

The day ended in a friendly and appreciative atmosphere. Participants expressed gratitude for the space to talk openly, learn new skills, and connect with others facing similar challenges. Certificates were handed out as a symbolic reminder of their commitment to personal growth and resilience.

💪#ErasmusPlus #CommunitySupport #BackToLife #WomenEmpowerment #MentalHealthMatters #DigitalSkills #AIForLife #ResilienceBuilding #JointEducation #Inclusion #SupportForMilitaryFamilies #LearningTogether #CaritasSlovakia #EUPROJECTS#CESKEBREZOVO#WORKSHOPS

Workshop in Ankara: Effective Communication & Coping with Stress

🌟26 August 2025 · Seyranbağları Nursing Home, Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey

Following the needs identified during the April roundtables, the Back to Life (B2L) project organized a dedicated workshop for women who are relatives of martyrs and veterans. The training focused on strengthening communication skills, managing stress, and creating a safe space for emotional expression.

#ErasmusPlus #CommunitySupport #BackToLife #WomenEmpowerment #EmotionsMatter

The workshop brought together 16 women — mothers, wives, and sisters of martyrs and veterans, aged approximately 35–65. The program was designed around three core components:

• Emotion‑Focused Therapy in communication
• Trauma‑sensitive stress management
• Safe space, relaxation, and breathing exercises

The goal was to provide practical tools that participants could apply in their daily lives while also offering a supportive environment for sharing experiences.

Suggestions for Future Sessions

Participants recommended expanding future workshops to include: challenges specific to martyr and veteran families, family and child relations, dialogue‑building and conflict resolution, managing anxiety about the future, more time for individual sharing and discussion. Stress management remained the most valued component across the group.

The workshop concluded with a certificate ceremony attended by 82 people, including beneficiaries, trainers, and institutional representatives. The ceremony provided a meaningful moment for recognition, connection, and shared reflection.

Based on evaluation results, all participants concluded that future workshops should:

• be longer and organized regularly (monthly or bi‑monthly)
• include tailored modules on grief, resilience and intergenerational communication
• offer more opportunities for small‑group sharing and peer support
• expand activities to include children of martyrs and veterans

These steps would strengthen continuity, deepen impact, and support family‑level coping strategies.

💪#ErasmusPlus # BackToLife #WomenEmpowerment #Skills #ResilienceBuilding #JointEducation #Inclusion #SupportForMilitaryFamilies #LearningTogether #Turkey

Final Conference

🌟10 December, 2025 Faust Hall – Old Town Hall, Bratislava, Slovakia

The final conference brought together project partners, professionals, civil society actors, and community members to present the results of the Back to Life project and discuss future directions in psychosocial support for families of martyrs and veterans affected by conflict.

Opening Session

The conference opened with a warm welcome from all project partners, who introduced the goals, journey, and impact of the Back to Life project. Each Partner shared what motivated them to join the initiative and what they gained from cross‑border cooperation.

• Miloslav Skovajsa – Chair of Joint Education
• Sırma Aydın Nakaş – EU Affairs & Project Unit, Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, Ankara
• Svetlana Sandberg – Social Inclusion & Employment Manager, TENENET o.z.

Key expert contribution:

• Assoc. Prof. Ivana Lessner (Suffolk University, UK) offered an academic perspective on trauma, resilience, and community‑based support, connecting project findings with broader research.

The programme continued with a part dedicated to women’s stories and artistic expression.

• A Ukrainian visual artist presented the exhibition Bratislava Through the Eyes of a Ukrainian Woman, offering a personal and emotional perspective on displacement and belonging.
• A Turkish representative shared reflections on women’s resilience and the importance of community support.
• A Ukrainian jazz singer, accompanied by piano and double bass, performed songs in Ukrainian, Slovak, and English, creating a powerful emotional atmosphere.

Expert Panel Discussion:

A multidisciplinary panel explored trauma recovery, reintegration and the role of institutions and NGOs in supporting families affected by conflict.

Key experts included:

• Assoc. Prof. Lukáš Rybár – Comenius University, Bratislava
• Hilal Gürpınar – Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, Ankara
• Dagmar Litterová – Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava
• Emília Revajová Bujňáková – Diocesan Charity Rožňava
• Adriana Mišíková – OZ Zdieľaj, Bratislava

Participants were invited to share their own experiences and needs, and a feedback questionnaire was distributed to gather recommendations for future initiatives.

Key recommendations:

For Professionals:

• Expand trauma‑sensitive psychosocial support, especially group formats that allow shared experience.
• Integrate spiritual and meaning‑making elements when relevant to women’s coping strategies.
• Strengthen digital literacy training linked to real‑life needs (e‑Government, healthcare, school, work).
• Use creative and expressive methods to help women articulate emotions safely.
• Include communication and assertiveness training to support reintegration into work and community life.

For Civil Society Actors:

• Build and maintain peer‑support groups to reduce isolation and strengthen confidence.
• Offer personal development, mentoring, and opportunities to learn new skills.
• Ensure safe‑space standards and safeguarding procedures in all community activities.
• Provide tailored support for women and their children, who often carry a double emotional burden.
• Adapt programmes based on regular feedback and individual needs.

For Policy Makers:

• Address stigma and reintegration barriers faced by bereaved families.
• Support single mothers through childcare options, flexible scheduling, and online access to services.
• Simplify administrative processes by creating a single contact point for bereaved families.
• Invest in employment, retraining, and entrepreneurship opportunities for affected women.
• Strengthen the ecosystem of NGOs through long‑term funding, cooperation platforms, and shared expertise.

The event concluded in a warm and heartfelt atmosphere. A small cultural corner showcased delicate Ukrainian handmade gifts and Christmas ornaments — each piece carrying its own story of resilience, tradition, and hope.

🎉 What began as a formal closing slowly transformed into a space of genuine connection. People lingered, exchanged contacts, and spoke about the work still ahead. The spirit of the afternoon made it clear that this was not an ending but a beginning — a promise of continued cooperation, shared learning, and support for the families and communities who need it most.

💪 #B2L #EmpowerWomen #VeteransFamilies #Inclusion #ErasmusPlus #Friendship #Support&Need&Hope    

Back2Life project has successfully concluded

The roundtable and workshop phase of the Back2Life project has successfully concluded, and we are excited to share the first results with you. We invite you to explore and use the outcomes we’ve prepared: – Practical guides for both experts and the general public are now available. Printed copies will also be distributed to the target groups soon. – Online training modules are ready for you to try out and recommend to women who are coping with the consequences of losing family members in the war. – If you are interested in project details or wish to revisit moments you may have been part of, you can browse our photo and video library. Thank you all for your participation and support. We look forward to the next steps and will keep you updated.