The two-year project, funded by the European Union, launched in March of this year and is a continuation of the successfully implemented international programs REVIS (2021–2023) and CARING (2023–2025). The initiatives are being implemented in Bulgaria by Social Activities and Practices Institute (SAPI) and the Parents Association.

The new schools participating for the first time in the planned activities against aggression in the classroom are from the city of Pernik (St. St. Cyril and Methodius High School), the village of Tsonevo, Varna Province (Hristo Botev Elementary School), Sofia (135th Secondary School, “Jan Amos Comenius”), Vidin (Yordan Radichkov Foreign Language High School and St. St. Cyril and Methodius Secondary School), Sliven (Konstantin Konstantinov Secondary School), and Panagyurishte (Nesho Bonchev Secondary School).

They are joining students from Shumen (Panayot Volov Secondary School and Sava Dobroplodni Secondary School) and Sofia (23rd Secondary School “Frédéric Joliot-Curie,” 90th Secondary School “Gen. José de San Martín,” 156th Primary School “Vasil Levski”), who already have experience with initiatives implemented in previous projects.

In June and July 2025, teams from ISDP and the Parents’ Association conducted focus groups among students, parents, and teachers from the seven new partner schools to gather information about their difficulties and challenges regarding school violence.

According to the survey results, children often experience verbal aggression, teasing, and digital exclusion, which are presented as “jokes” or “fun.” This leads to their isolation and profound emotional consequences. Furthermore, many students do not report experiences of violence because they fear a lack of understanding, ridicule, or punishment. Teachers hesitate to intervene out of fear of complaints or mistrust, and parents often feel unprepared to help.

The research report formulated recommendations to help change the current situation. These include creating safe spaces for students to share; supporting teachers through professional groups, time for reflection, and recognition of the emotional work they do; training in digital literacy and empathy; building a sustainable partnership between the school and the family; and clear school procedures.

The planned activities under the CARING 2 project will help implement these recommendations. Upcoming activities include:

- training facilitators and school teams to lead activities with children, their peers, and parents to prevent school violence;

- creating student groups for peer support programs that foster trust, empathy, and active participation in creating a safe school environment;

- organizing national and regional meetings of student councils, through which children can express their views on school safety policies;

- exchanging experience and resources with partner organizations from different countries.

Support for school teams will be provided throughout the project via individual mentoring, group supervision, and webinars on key topics. The project will conclude with an international conference to present the results, findings, and best practices developed during its implementation.

CARING 2.0: “Multidisciplinary Prevention and Response to School Violence” is funded by the European Union and is being implemented in five countries—Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Croatia, and Kosovo—from March 2025 to February 2027. The project will reach a total of approximately 1,150 children and youth aged 12–16 in these countries, with a particular focus on those in vulnerable situations, as well as 500 teachers, nearly 600 public service providers, and 500 parents/guardians and community members.

The project coordinator is Terre des hommes (Tdh) – Hungary, and the other partners are Tdh Elvetia (Romania), Tdh Helas (Greece), Brave Phone (Croatia), Tdh Kosovo, Social Activities and Practices Institute (SAPI), and the Parents Association (Bulgaria).

Co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the funding body is responsible for them.