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Poland is one of the main destinations for refugees from Ukraine seeking safety and opportunities to continue their professional activity. A key challenge in their integration into the Polish labor market has proven to be the process of diploma recognition and qualification validation – seemingly systematized and legally regulated, yet in practice complicated and inaccessible to foreigners.
The report Qualifications Beyond Borders: Recognition of Ukrainian Diplomas and Qualifications in Poland was commissioned by CARE Poland for the Skills Alliance in Poland – an initiative bringing together non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, donors, and representatives of the Academia, private and public sectors working to enhance skills and increase employment among refugees in Poland, in a way that corresponds both to their competencies and the needs of the Polish labor market.
The study was conducted by CASE - Center for Social and Economic Research in March and April 2025. It included a legal analysis, an online survey among refugees, interviews with representatives of institutions involved in qualification recognition procedures, and case studies from three sectors experiencing labor shortages: education, healthcare, and logistics. The Research Team was supported by the Study Steering Committee, composed by representatives of IOM, PCPM, Right2Protection, Warsaw School of Economics and CARE Poland.
The objective of the report was to analyze the system of diploma recognition and qualification validation – both from a legal/formal perspective and a practical one. The study was of an applied nature – it is intended to identify barriers and formulate recommendations for public institutions, universities, employers and employment agencies, as well as non-governmental and industry organizations.
The recommendations focus on five key areas:
- Interinstitutional Coordination
- Centralization and Digitalization of the Process
- Central Source of Information
- Standardization of Procedures and Requirements
- Bridging Programs to Supplement Qualifications