Background:

Fundacja CARE International in Poland (CARE) commissioned a research study aimed at understanding the needs and circumstances of Ukrainian adolescents aged 14-18 who were out of school in Poland. This research was a response to the estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Ukrainian refugee children and adolescents who may not have had access to formal education within the Polish system. The situation was particularly concerning given that only 24% of adolescents aged 15-18 were participating in the Polish education system. These out-of-school adolescents faced significant challenges, including limited access to services, isolation, and potential engagement in negative coping mechanisms.

CARE intended to use the findings of this research to inform its strategies and programs, with the ultimate goal of improving education and child protection initiatives in the context of the Ukraine refugee response in Poland.

Triangle’s Assessment:

1. Research Objectives Definition: The research began by setting clear objectives, which included understanding the barriers to participation in both the Polish and Ukrainian education systems, mapping the social networks and coping mechanisms used by out-of-school Ukrainian adolescents, and identifying strategies to enhance their resilience and facilitate their enrollment or re-enrollment in the education system.
2. Data Collection Methodology: The research relied on both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The primary data collection involved interviews, surveys, and engagement with relevant stakeholders, including education and child protection NGO program staff, school staff, other service providers, out-of-school Ukrainian adolescents, and the families of these adolescents. The research prioritized ethical data collection and the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as the Roma community.
3. Research Ethics and Safeguarding: Ethical considerations were at the forefront of the research. Voluntary participation and informed consent were the cornerstones of data collection, ensuring the security and dignity of research participants. The research adhered to CARE’s safeguarding policy, and a risk mitigation strategy was developed if any risks were identified during the research process.
4. Output Delivery: The selected consultant(s) provided several outputs, including a research framework, plan, and tools; a final report; a summary report; a PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations; and the raw data, including secondary data, primary data, and interview notes.
5. Timeline Development: The research process was organized into milestones, including briefing, research framework development, literature desk review, data collection tools development and testing, data collection, data analysis, research report development, research report finalization, summary and presentation development, and the presentation of findings to the CARE team and the education sector.