WELLBOOST

Boosting Life Skills and Psycho-Social Wellbeing of Ukrainian Students in European Schools

According to UNICEF, more than 1.2 million Ukrainian children and youth are now attending schools across the EU, representing an unprecedented educational integration challenge. These students face significant challenges beyond language barriers – they must cope with trauma, adapt to new educational systems, and rebuild social connections while processing their experiences of war and displacement.

European schools have responded well to this crisis, but many educators still lack specialized training to address the complex psycho-social needs of Ukrainian secondary students. A 2023 European Commission report found that 67% of schools hosting Ukrainian students lack sufficient mental health resources. Our pre-application research with teachers across partner countries also revealed that Ukrainian students often struggle with isolation, exhibit signs of distress, and have difficulty engaging socially. Meanwhile, educators express a pressing need for practical tools and methods specifically designed to support these students’ mental health and wellbeing.

The WELLBOOST project aims to address critical gaps by developing targeted resources that combine digital assessment tool with game-based learning activities. This innovative approach aims to help Ukrainian students develop essential life skills, enable educators to identify students’ specific needs through structured assessment, and create inclusive environments where Ukrainian and local secondary students can meaningfully interact.

Project objectives

The overall aim of the project is to support the mental health and psycho-social wellbeing of Ukrainian secondary students in European schools through enhancing their core life skills and thus fostering their successful integration and adaptation to host countries and European schools’ environment.

The project develops innovative digital resources and inclusive game-based activities that facilitate active communication between local and Ukrainian secondary students within formal educational settings. These tools equip teachers with practical methodologies to address the unique psycho-social challenges Ukrainian students face while creating supportive and inclusive learning environments.

Further to the overall aim are 4 specific objectives:

  • To develop a Digital Life Skills Simulator that encourages Ukrainian secondary students to explore mental health and psycho-social wellbeing topics while evaluating and improving 12 core life skills.
  • To develop a comprehensive Methodological Guidebook that equips educators with strategies and practical tools for supporting Ukrainian secondary students’ psycho-social wellbeing and life skills development through game-based activities.
  • To validate the project deliverables, ensuring their effectiveness in supporting Ukrainian students’ integration and psycho-social wellbeing in diverse educational settings.
  • To ensure broad visibility and sustainable impact of the project results and to raise awareness about Ukrainian students` mental health and psycho-social wellbeing needs.