UCR, together with Bergische Universität Wuppertal (Germany), Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio” di Chieti (Italy), N.E.T. (Associazione Culturale) (Italy), ETIC_Algarve (Portugal), and Escola Sindical de Formació Melchor Botella (Spain), is carrying out the new project “Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support for Resilience Against Extremism” (SESAME-RESIST), funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ program and planned to run for three years.

The project aims to promote resilience, inclusion, and social cohesion in secondary schools. It integrates a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), social-emotional learning programs, and mental health promotion tools to help prevent radicalization and improve the well-being of the entire educational community.

UCR leads the development of teacher training and a student leadership toolkit for awareness-raising campaigns. The project promotes an innovative and scalable model that reinforces democratic values and helps create safer, more welcoming, and more participatory school environments.

The project seeks to prevent radicalization in schools by fostering resilience through a multi-tiered support system. By integrating school-wide positive behavioral support (SWPBS), social-emotional learning (SEL), and mental health promotion, it aims to improve school climate, strengthen students’ sense of belonging, and enhance critical thinking skills. This evidence-based framework is designed to empower both teachers and students, reduce risk factors such as social isolation and identity crises, and promote long-term social cohesion.

Expected project results include a school-based risk assessment tool, training modules for teachers, materials for youth leaders, and structured intervention strategies. The project will help foster student resilience, strengthen democratic values, and improve social inclusion. In the long term, it is expected to improve students’ mental well-being, reduce the risk of radicalization, and provide a scalable intervention model.