PFA Connect: networking for professionals who support Ukrainian children

Funded by the EU’s EU4Health programme, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is collaborating with The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF) to provide online peer learning opportunities.

Who is this for?

Languages are English and Ukrainian. Additional language groups may be organized if there is sufficient interest.

PFA Connect is for anyone who is supporting children affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine to:

• Share challenges, solutions, tools
• Learn by sharing experience
• Build trusted relationships
• Strengthen local support for children

Through peer learning, you will learn how to use Psychological First Aid (PFA) to strengthen support to children.

Request your invitation

Who participates?

Over 2,000 professionals have already connected through this programme, including:

• Teachers and other education professionals
• Social workers and community support staff
• Mental health specialists
• Other health care professionals
• Red Cross staff and volunteers

Everyone who supports Ukrainian children is welcome.

How can this help me?

Get practical help with your challenges

Ready to share your experience?

If you support Ukrainian children, you have valuable experience to share.

• Is there a specific situation or challenge that you would like help with?
• Do you have a success story or lesson learned that you would like to share?
• Do you have a tool or resource you would like to share?
• Is there a specific topic you would like to discuss?
• Is there an upcoming event you would like to inform your colleagues about?

If you are new to Psychological First Aid (PFA) for children, ask a question about PFA.

What do you get from sharing?

Contributors will be recognized by certification and invited to join the Leadership Circle, a Europe-wide network of practitioners who support Ukrainian children.

After each session, you will receive a summary of:

• Practical solutions shared by participants
• Useful resources you can use immediately
• Ways to stay connected with colleagues

Previous participants report:

• Immediate practical solutions for working with children.
• New professional connections across sectors.
• Enhanced confidence in supporting children in crisis.

Learn PFA for children

Are you new to Psychological First Aid (PFA) for children?

You will be encouraged to complete a 20-minute rapid learning module before you start sharing your experience with supporting children – and to explore how PFA resources can help.

You will quickly gain the foundational skills to start incorporating PFA into your work with children.

Connecting with experienced practitioners will provide ongoing guidance as you apply and adapt PFA to your context.

Is there certification for PFA Connect?

Yes. PFA Connect certification system recognizes professional development through a rigorous process.

This efficient approach recognizes the time constraints of busy professionals while maintaining academic validity through an evidence-based measurement framework.

Our certification meets established requirements for continued professional development.

About this project

In May 2022, with the support of the European Commission’s Directorate General For Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), with the Ukrainian Red Cross and 27 other European Red Cross Societies, launched the project “Provision of quality and timely psychological first aid to people affected by Ukraine crisis in impacted countries” supported by the EU4Health programme.

About The Geneva Learning Foundation

The Geneva Learning Foundation is a Swiss non-profit with the mission to research and develop new ways to learn and lead in the face of critical threats to our societies.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

About the IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Our secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 191 countries, bringing together more than 16 million volunteers for the good of humanity.

Funded by the European Union

This project is supported by the EU4Health programme.

This project is funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of TGLF and IFRC, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.