The specific objectives of the project were: • To empower educators, youth workers, and educational professionals through targeted training to develop their social and emotional competencies, enabling them to successfully integrate Emotional Intelligence into their daily practice. • To enhance young people’s personal development, strengthen their psychological well-being, and contribute to the prevention and reduction of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms through the promotion of emotional awareness and resilience. • To provide all educational stakeholders with a deeper understanding of the Emotional Intelligence Profile (EIP), its application in youth education, and its relevance to policy frameworks and good practices at national and EU levels. The project was directly aligned with key Erasmus+ priorities and aimed to: • Improve the quality, innovation, and recognition of youth work by providing professionals with essential life-skills and practical tools. • Enhance the employability of young people by equipping them with emotional and social competencies critical to their personal and professional development. • Support the social inclusion and mental health of young people, particularly those at greater risk
The HUMANITY project was initiated in response to the growing mental health crisis among young people, particularly intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies, such as the 2020 webinar paper on Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic, identified individuals aged 18–28 as a high-risk group, reporting significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicidal thoughts compared to older adults. These challenges highlighted an urgent need for better support systems to foster emotional intelligence (EI) and social competence, both crucial for personal development, psychological well-being, and successful integration into society. The project addressed the following key needs: • To support young people's mental health through the development of emotional awareness, resilience, and interpersonal skills. • To equip educators and youth workers with tools and training to foster EI among youth. • To promote the use of systemic thinking as a way to help young people better understand themselves and their social environment. • To improve youth workers' competencies in guiding young people through social and emotional challenges. • To contribute to long-term well-being and inclusion of youth in society