ReDI at SEFA: Best Practices for Sustainable Job Market Integration of Refugee Women
Written by: Alina Floroiu, Digital Women Program Manager
On February 25, 2025, I was privileged to represent the Digital Women Program at ReDI School Berlin at the SEFA Arbeitsgruppe Auftaktsitzung, hosted by Stiftung Mercator and Minor. This expert working group brings together key actors in labor market integration for refugee women* with low formal qualifications, aiming to collect and disseminate best practices and create longstanding strategic partnerships.
*refers to FINTA (female, intersex, non-binary, trans, agender)
Understanding the barriers to employment
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the data-driven analysis presented by Dr. Kseniia Gatskova from the Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB). The findings underscored critical challenges for Ukrainian refugee women* entering the German labor market:
The employment rate among refugee women* remains significantly lower than that of men, even after several years in Germany.
Childcare access is directly linked to workforce participation, yet in West Germany, only 46% of refugee children under six are in kindergarten.
Language acquisition is a key factor for employment: those who reached C1/C2 German proficiency had a 21-percentage-point higher employment rate than those who didn’t attend language courses.
Underemployment is a serious issue, with 57% of Ukrainian refugees working below their skill level—women are disproportionately affected.
These insights reinforce what we at ReDI School have long observed: job market integration is about more than just employment; it’s about enabling women* to work at their skill level, balancing care responsibilities, and creating pathways to long-term success.
ReDI’s approach: A holistic model for success
At ReDI, we believe that digital skills are the key to economic empowerment. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, we have trained over 500 Ukrainian refugee women* in digital literacy and tech-related skills. However, one of our most important lessons is that technical training alone is not enough.
Many of our students, especially those who fled the war, face significant emotional and psychological challenges. Without addressing their mental wellbeing, participation in our courses and workforce integration would have been much lower.
That’s why we introduced a wellbeing component in our programs for Ukrainian women*. This includes:
On-site psychological support, providing space to process trauma.
Mindfulness and resilience training, helping learners build confidence and focus.
Community-building activities, so no woman feels alone in her journey.
These initiatives have made a tangible impact: women* who participated in our wellbeing sessions were far more likely to complete their training and engage in job-seeking activities. In our experience, a holistic approach—combining digital skills training, mentorship, childcare solutions, and psychological support—truly enables sustainable labor market integration.
Collaboration for greater impact
The discussions at SEFA also emphasized the power of partnerships. Sustainable employment pathways require cooperation between training providers, employers, government agencies, and support organizations. At ReDI, we have already built strong collaborations with partner companies, so learners get direct exposure to industry professionals.
Looking ahead, we are committed to working with SEFA partners to share our learnings, scale best practices, and advocate for policies that enable refugee women* to thrive in the workforce.
💡 If you are an employer, policymaker, or educator interested in joining forces to support refugee women*, reach out! Together, we can build an inclusive and resilient job market.