Tirol Camp
Summer Serenity Sessions
A protected recovery space in the Austrian Alps for Ukrainian children and youth displaced by war. Psychosocial stabilization, nature experiences and new perspectives.
Why This Project Is Urgently Needed
Four years after the escalation of war in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation has dramatically worsened. Shock became adaptation, adaptation became exhaustion.
“Four years after escalation, shock became adaptation, adaptation became exhaustion. That is exactly what makes the humanitarian situation so complex today.”— Sarah Easter, CARE
“The children tell us they can already distinguish by the different sounds which type of weapon is attacking.”— Klaus Schwertner, Caritas
Children Are Hit the Hardest
Regular school or kindergarten attendance is barely possible because children have to seek shelter in air raid bunkers almost every night. Many have been displaced not once, but multiple times. Parents are themselves traumatized, exhausted or under economic pressure – they often lack the strength to emotionally support their children.
In psychosocial programs, you can see how quickly children start laughing again when they feel safe.
Our Vision: Giving Children Back Their Childhood
Tirol Camp creates a protected space in the Austrian Alps where war-affected children and youth can regain their strength, learn new things and form friendships. Inspired by Caritas child protection centers and successful European holiday programs, we offer a comprehensive recovery and exchange program.
The Program
Six program modules for holistic recovery and development
Sports & Outdoor
Hiking, climbing, swimming and team sports in the alpine nature of the Zillertal.
Language & Culture
Intensive German courses and cultural encounter programs. Supplemented by English.
Creative Activities
Theater, media workshops and artistic projects for self-expression.
Trauma-Informed Support
Professional psychosocial support and stabilization by qualified specialists.
Local Exchange
Integration through shared activities with Tyrolean youth and local clubs.
Digital Connection
Virtual bridges to home and sustainable networking through digital channels.
Who Is Tirol Camp For?
Target group and scope of the program
Internally Displaced Children
Children and youth (ages 11–17) displaced within Ukraine who urgently need recovery and stabilization.
War Orphans
Children whose parents have fallen or are missing in the war. A particularly vulnerable group with high need for protection and care.
Children from Frontline Areas
Children from evacuated areas such as Donetsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia who have been displaced multiple times.
Participants per group
Groups per season (May–Oct.)
Participants per year
Stay duration per group
Ages: 11–17 years · Supervision ratio 1:5, bilingual caregivers (UA/DE), pedagogical specialists, psychological support
Organization Partners
Transnational structure across three countries with direct access to those affected
Austria – Project Lead
Municipalities in the Zillertal, Tyrolean Sports Association, Social Services of Tyrol, local sports clubs
Germany – Integration Partner
Municipal integration offices, German NGOs, cultural institutions, DOSB network
Ukraine – NGO Structure & Social Services
Local child protection organizations, social services for families and children, IDP networks
Direct Partner Organizations in Ukraine
Cooperation with Centers for Social Services for Families, Children and Youth in Netishyn and Shepetivka (Khmelnytska Oblast), the Service for Children's Affairs of Vinnytsia Oblast, as well as orphanages and resilience centers. These institutions have direct access to affected families and children.
International Reference Projects
ADRA Austria hosted 150 Ukrainian children in camps in Austria in 2024. EU/Caritas ran rehabilitation camps for 2,000+ children in 2025. The European Committee of the Regions coordinates summer camps across 16 member states.
Proven Role Models
EU Summer Camps Initiative
Over 3,000 Ukrainian children per year across 16 EU member states – coordinated by the European Committee of the Regions.
ADRA Austria Camps
150 Ukrainian children in 2-week recovery camps in Austria (2024) – funded through the Foreign Disaster Fund.
Caritas Child Protection Centers
Established nationwide in Ukraine – protected spaces where children can experience a piece of childhood and traumas can be addressed.
Funding & Transparency
Realistic annual framework: EUR 450,000 – 700,000
For Investors & Sponsors
Support a European model project for crisis-affected youth. Every contribution enables a child to have a four-week recovery stay in safety.
For Families & Participants
Participant selection is done in cooperation with Ukrainian social services using transparent social criteria. Contact us for more information.
For Organization Partners
We are looking for committed partners in social work, youth care and municipal administration. Become part of a growing European network.