REBREATHE: REfugees Becoming REsilient And Trauma HEaled

<< Background >>The REBREATHE project addressed urgent needs arising from the mental health challenges faced by young refugees in Europe, especially after the war in Ukraine. Many arrived with trauma, struggling to integrate due to psychological distress, cultural barriers, and a lack of adequate support. Youth workers also lacked tools to help them effectively. The partners identified a gap in resilience-building strategies and inclusive spaces where young refugees could safely express themselves and heal. Drawing on previous experiences, we aimed to create a practical, innovative framework to empower both youth workers and refugees. The project focused on emotional management, community building, and inclusion, aligning with Erasmus+ priorities on mental well-being, diversity, and quality youth work. Through REBREATHE, the consortium sought to provide accessible tools, training, and a supportive community that could be adapted and transferred across Europe, helping young refugees not only recover but thrive in their new environments.<< Objectives >>The REBREATHE project aimed to support young refugees and youth workers by creating a framework that promotes mental well-being, emotional management, and resilience. The main objective was to empower both groups with tools and strategies to cope with trauma and support integration. The project sought to connect youth workers and refugees through training, shared experiences, and innovative resources such as an interactive book. It also aimed to foster a safe and inclusive environment where young refugees could express themselves, regain confidence, and build strong community ties. By involving participants in learning mobilities, round tables, and creative development, the project promoted active participation and knowledge exchange. Ultimately, REBREATHE aimed to build a long-lasting impact by making its outcomes accessible across Europe, supporting youth workers in their role, and enabling refugee youth to become more resilient and included in their host societies.<< Implementation >>The project began with a Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) in Spain on June 29-30, 2023, to coordinate partners and launch the creation of the REBREATHE Framework, which continued until November 2024. A key activity was the training course in Spain from September 18-25, 2023, which took place early to equip youth workers with the initial knowledge and tools needed to start shaping the Framework collaboratively. Three learning activities followed: an online emotional management workshop on February 1, 2024, and two participatory visits - one in Estonia on May 27-29, 2024, focusing on community building and forced migration, and another in Poland on June 28-30, 2024, centred on resilience. The second TPM took place on September 13-14, 2024, to review progress and coordinate the final stages of the Framework. Dissemination activities occurred in all partner countries during January-February 2025, including consultation periods, national conferences, and internal workshops. The final TPM in Estonia on February 11-12, 2025, closed the project.<< Results >>The project produced several concrete results, the most significant being the REBREATHE Framework, a structured set of tools and strategies to support emotional management and resilience among young refugees. This framework was published as an interactive book, available in English, Spanish, Estonian, and Polish, and enriched with multimedia elements such as videos, audio recordings, quizzes, and QR-linked resources. A training course in Spain allowed for its testing and refinement based on participant feedback. The project also established the REBREATHE Community, a digital space where youth workers and young refugees could exchange experiences and continue learning beyond the project’s duration. Three learning activities transferred key knowledge: an online workshop, and two participatory visits to Estonia and Poland. Each event contributed content and insights to the final guide. Dissemination reached thousands through national conferences, internal workshops, and a consultation period. As a result, youth workers were better equipped, young refugees felt more supported, and the project's tools became widely accessible and replicable across Europe.