This research project aims to collect and analyse data about Ukrainian refugees in Romania and it is financed by UNHCR Romania. The research has several components (ongoing), such as:
Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS Romania) 2024
As of the end of December 2024, more than 8 million refugees had reportedly fled Ukraine, and 179,737 individuals issued Temporary Protection in Romania. In mid-2024, the Center for Comparative Migration Studies CSCM, in collaboration with UNHCR România, IOM Romania and Romanian National Council for Refugees – CNRR conducted a Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS), focusing on refugees from Ukraine living in Romania. The assessment involved 1008 adult respondents from refugee households across 25 counties and Bucharest, in Romania. The information gathered is crucial for humanitarian planning as well as identifying service gaps. seeking to capture and understand the needs of refugees in Romania, focusing on the in-country refugee population; the level of socio-economic integration and access to national systems; service gaps and refugees’ priorities for the coming year; identify changing trends in refugees needs. The SEIS is a key source of information for the 2025 Refugee Response Plan (RRP) planning, which aims to capture funding and planning requirements for the response.
The research report of the Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS Romania) 2024 is available here
A presentation of the Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS Romania) 2024 is available here
Collective Accommodation Sites Assessment 2024
This project evaluates five collective accommodation centers across Romania, focusing on long-term housing solutions for Ukrainian refugees. It highlights key challenges such as funding insecurity, infrastructure gaps, and limited access to services while providing strategic recommendations for improving sustainability and living conditions. The project includes a detailed report and individual assessments of centers in Bucharest, Iași, Galați, Suceava, and Timișoara, emphasizing the need for continued support and coordination among stakeholders.
The report ‘Recommendations for Sustainable Accommodation Centers in Romania’ is available here.
The ‘Collective Accommodation Site Assessment Factsheet’ for Bucharest is available here.
The ‘Collective Accommodation Site Assessment Factsheet’ for Timișoara is available here.
The ‘Collective Accommodation Site Assessment Factsheet’ for Iași is available here.
The ‘Collective Accommodation Site Assessment Factsheet’ for Galați is available here.
The ‘Collective Accommodation Site Assessment Factsheet’ for Suceava is available here.
Multi Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA Romania) 2023
As of the end of December 2023, more than 6.3 million refugees had reportedly fled Ukraine, and around 81,000 were residing in Romania. In mid-2023, on behalf of UNHCR we conducted a Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA), focusing on refugees from Ukraine living in Romania. The research involved collecting data from 1222 adult respondents from refugee households across 31 counties and Bucharest, in Romania. The information gathered is crucial for humanitarian planning as well as identifying service gaps. The findings informed the 2024 Refugee Response Plan (RRP). The assessment focuses on topics such as demographics, education, protection (including child protection, gender-based violence, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse), socio-economic inclusion and livelihoods, health (including mental health), and accommodation/shelter.
A presentation of the Multi Sector Needs Assessment Romania (MSNA Romania) 2023 is available here.
The research report of the Multi Sector Needs Assessment Romania (MSNA Romania) 2023 is available here.
Area Based-Assessment Brasov (ABA Brașov) 2023
The Area-Based Assessment (ABA) provides a comprehensive overview of the humanitarian situation in Brașov. This location was selected for in-depth analysis due to Brașov’s status as one of the cities with a high level of economic development and cosmopolitan outlook, making it an attractive destination for refugees from Ukraine. The city’s appeal is further enhanced by its broad access to educational institutions and promising employment prospects.
The research report of the Area Based-Assessment Brasov 2023 is available here.
Area-Based Assessment Galati (ABA Galați) 2023
This Area-Based Assessment (ABA) offers an overview of the humanitarian situation in Galați. This location was chosen for in-depth analysis due to its status as a city close to the border, which represented one of the most important entry points for refugees, and because it is among the cities with the highest number of Ukrainian refugees.
The research report of the Area Based-Assessment Brasov 2023 is available here.
Area-Based Assessment Cluj-Napoca (ABA Cluj-Napoca) 2023
The Area-Based Assessment (ABA) provides a comprehensive overview of the humanitarian situation in Cluj-Napoca. This location was selected for in-depth analysis due to Cluj-Napoca’s status as one of the cities with a high level of economic development, making it an attractive destination for refugees from Ukraine. The city’s appeal is further enhanced by its broad access to educational institutions and promising employment prospects. Additionally, its relative proximity to the Ukraine border adds to its allure as a destination for refugees from Ukraine.
The research report of the Area-Based Assessment Cluj-Napoca 2023 is available here.
Protection Profiling and Monitoring (PPM Romania) 2024
To strengthen and promote an evidence-based protection response, the Center for Comparative Migration Studies CSCM togheter with UNHCR Romania and its partners in Romania have been implementing a Protection Profiling and Monitoring exercise to regularly collect and analyze data about the profiles, protection risks and needs of refugees from Ukraine and monitor changes over time. In 2024 a revised questionnaire was rolled out.
The research report of the Protection Profiling and Monitoring (PPM Romania) 2024 is available upon request
Area-based Monitoring (ABM Romania) 2024
The 2024 Romania ABM is led by UNHCR, in line with UNHCR Regional Bureau for Europe guidelines, and it will be improved and supported by an Interagency Team with the participation of focal points of the Centre for Comparative Migration Study (CSCM) and UNHCR. This ABM team will serve as the advisory group ensuring the effective implementation of the ABM in the country, including supporting as per specific expertise and knowledge on specific areas, in coordination and communication with all the Refugee Coordination Forum (RCF) Working Groups and other relevant actors. The Area-Based Monitoring exercise aims to enhance data collection localization efforts and to structure and systematize the qualitative and quantitative data collected at the local level, regularly. The main objective is to provide a brief overview of the Ukrainian situation-related refugee context in selected regions of the host country to support.
The research report of the Area-based Monitoring (ABM Romania) 2024 is available upon request .
Vulnerability Assessment (VA Romania) 2023
The usage of Vulnerability Scores is among the key tools to implement when specific humanitarian Interventions, such as Cash Based Assistance, requires to be targeted and prioritized for certain beneficiaries.
The research report of the Vulnerability Assessment 2023 is available upon request.
Impact
Education/training
07.10.2025 – În perioada 06-07 octombrie 2025 în cadrul Școlii de Pregătire a Agenților Poliției de Frontieră „Avram Iancu” Oradea am organizat un training dedicat înțelegerii și prevenirii fenomenelor de ură, discriminare și violență. Printre alte subiecte, au fost prezentate și rezultate din studiul „Data Collection, Analysis And Reports On Ukrainian Refugees In Romania”, în special în ceea ce privește activarea Temporary Protection Status și situația la zi a refugiaților din Ucraina.
Academic
2.10.2025 – Our recent publication (Multi-level Mapping of Tension in Cross-Sector Social Partnerships: A Romanian Response to Ukrainian Refugees) received its first Mention – Regional Focus: Europe – Pt. 2, Forced Migration Current Awareness. More info here – Article Metrics | Multi-level Mapping of Tension in Cross-Sector Social Partnerships: A Romanian Response to Ukrainian Refugees | VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations
22.09.2025 – NEW Publication: Foss, Z., Intindola, M.L., Martin, E.C., and Anatolie Cosciug. Multi-level Mapping of Tension in Cross-Sector Social Partnerships: A Romanian Response to Ukrainian Refugees. Voluntas (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-025-00771-x
Mass-Media
14.10.2025 – A new episode of the Across Borders episode was released – Migrația pe înțelesul tuturor: rolul INS în managementul migrației. Link here Across Borders | Linktree
14.10.2025 – Our colleague Anatolie Cosciug was invited at the TV show „INTRARE LIBERĂ | IMIGRAȚIA ÎN ROMÂNIA: PROBLEME ȘI PERSPECTIVE” at TVR Cultural to discuss the about labor migration in Romania. Link available here – https://youtu.be/y8mV56ENKng
13.10.2025 -Luni, 13 octombrie, ora 18:00, la biroul Europarlamentarului Nicu Ștefănuță din Cluj-Napoca, Anatolie Cosciug a discutat despre realitatea migrației în România: despre cine sunt oamenii care aleg să migreze sau să muncească aici, despre motivele pentru care vin și despre cum putem construi comunități mai sigure, mai empatice și mai incluzive pentru toți.
13.10.2025 – An investigation about online hate speech targeting migrants to which we contributed was published. Link here – Cui serveşte campania online împotriva muncitorilor străini din România? “Ne îngrijorează valul acesta de ură” | Antena 3 CNN
12.10.2025 – We were invited to present some results from our research Data Collection, Analysis And Reports On Ukrainian Refugees In Romania. The resulting article is called “Gratuitul care nu e gratuit”. De ce angajatorii români trebuie să plătească dublu la CNAS pentru angajații străini and it ca be consulted here – “Gratuitul care nu e gratuit”. De ce angajatorii români trebuie să plătească dublu la CNAS pentru angajaţii străini | Antena 3 CNN