Since 2022, the Budapest-Józsefváros Lutheran Congregation has developed substantial expertise in refugee protection and socio-economic inclusion through Dévai Fogadó Refugee Community Centre. Between 2022 and 2025, we successfully implemented several UNHCR Project Work Plans. Our programmes have also been supported by Budapest Municipality, the Budapest Social Public Foundation/UNICEF, ELCA and the EEA and Norway Grants Civil Society Fund, demonstrating a strong implementation track record and capacity to work with institutional donors.
Our service model combines broad, low-threshold community access with targeted, needs- and vulnerability-based integration support. In the first half of 2026, Dévai Fogadó reached 2,453 refugee families comprising 6,698 persons, while 1,847 families were registered for more structured support. Families can access basic-needs assistance, information and community programmes without entering long-term case management. Where vulnerability or complex integration barriers are identified, clients are offered individualized social counselling, case management and referral to specialized or mainstream services.
Individualized social counselling is at the core of our professional work: in the first half of 2026, 187 families comprising 625 persons received such support. Cases included access to healthcare (151), employment (86), administrative procedures (86), housing (80), child protection (63), education (47) and refugee-related procedures (41). Clients included persons with disabilities, older persons and Roma refugees, often facing multiple and overlapping barriers. Our multidisciplinary approach therefore connects immediate assistance with individualized pathways towards access to rights, public services and greater self-reliance.
Our programming applies protection and Age, Gender and Diversity principles. Of the 6,698 persons reached, 1,808 were children, 2,545 were aged 60 or above, and 4,553 were women. Complementary integration activities included Hungarian language courses for 190 participants, English courses for 84, a Play and Learning Hub, MHPSS and community programmes. We cooperate with municipalities, public institutions, civil society organizations and specialized providers through referrals and case conferences.
Implementation is supported by professional staff, established financial and administrative systems, and policies on child protection, PSEA, ethics, anti-fraud, complaints and investigations, recruitment, procurement and data protection. Staff receive regular training on these standards. This combination of established community reach, individualized case management, institutional partnerships and accountable management provides a strong operational basis for contributing to UNHCR’s 2027–2030 strategy.