We’re excited to share that the Hungarian research phase of the INTERCULT project has officially concluded as ofthe summer of 2025! This important milestone brought us closer to understanding the real-life experiences, challenges, and aspirationsof intercultural mediators working across Hungary—and the findings are both eye-opening and inspiring.
Why This Research Matters
As part of INTERCULT’s mission to promote better inclusion of migrants through intercultural mediation, our Hungarian partner, Szubjektív Értékek Alapítvány, conducted in-depth interviews with eight active intercultural mediators working in NGOs, universities, and community settings. These individuals are often the invisible yet indispensable links between migrant communities and public services like education, healthcare, housing, and administration.
Their voices are crucial in shaping the next steps of our project—including the design of a brand-new training program and policy guidelines tailored to real needs on the ground.
Key Findings
Here are some of the most striking insights that emerged from the research:
❓ A Profession Born by Choice and by Chance
Many mediators found their way into the profession through volunteering, personal migration experiences, or academic pathways—often without knowing there was a name for what they were doing. The role emerged organically, driven by empathy and the need to fill systemic gaps.
A Role of Many Hats
Mediators are translators, coordinators, mentors, event organizers, counselors, and advocates—all in one. Their work is deeply human-centered, practical, and emotionally demanding. Yet they often work in temporary or underrecognized positions.
Pride in Empowerment
Participants shared moving stories of organizing refugee-led events, building confidence among youth, and creating safe spaces for migrant communities. What they value most? Empowering others to feel they belong.
⚠️ Challenges and Emotional Strain
Despite their dedication, many mediators face structural limitations, emotional burnout, and a lack of formal recognition. Their work is undervalued, often underpaid, and rarely integrated into institutional frameworks.
The Need for Training
Almost all participants stressed the lack of formal educational pathways for intercultural mediation in Hungary. They expressed a clear need for ongoing, practical, and psychologically informed training that supports both skills and emotional resilience.
What’s Needed Next?
- Institutional recognition of mediation as a profession
- Structured, hands-on training programs
- Cross-border exchange of best practices
- Better collaboration with professionals in health, education, and mental health fields
Voices from the Field
“I feel privileged to be the connection between migrants and the Hungarian system.”
— Naser
“We need cultural sensitivity training for host communities too. That’s where real change happens.”
— Hanis
“Some people have a natural talent for mediation—but learning is never done.”
— Safaa
What Comes Next?
The findings from Hungary—and similar research across our other project countries—will directly inform the INTERCULT training curriculum and policy recommendations to come. We’re building a roadmap for a stronger, more inclusive approach to intercultural mediation in Europe.
Stay tuned as we move into the next exciting phase—co-creating a practical, human-centered training model that responds to the real voices of those doing this essential work every day.
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