Reconnect-EU

Can a game help young people understand their mental health?

As part of the RECONNECT project – Empowering Teachers and Students to Support Hikikomori Reintegration, we are developing an interactive learning experience designed to support awareness, reflection, and reconnection.

Through immersive scenarios, learners explore patterns related to energy, emotions, and social connection in a safe and engaging way.

Because understanding is often the first step towards change.

How can we better support young people experiencing social withdrawal?

The RECONNECT project – Empowering Teachers and Students to Support Hikikomori Reintegration brings together European partners to address this growing challenge.

Through innovative tools, research, and digital learning approaches, RECONNECT aims to support young people in reconnecting with themselves, others, and their environment.

Stay with us as we share insights, progress, and outcomes from the project.

in Europe | Key Findings from the Reconnect-EU Report!

Our latest study involving 85+ experts across 5 EU countries reveals critical insights into social withdrawal:

👉 A Protective Shield: Withdrawal is often a silent adaptive response to overwhelming social and academic pressure.
👉 The "Invisible" Risk: Quiet, non-disruptive students are most at risk of remaining undetected until isolation is entrenched.
👉 Digital Bridges: While it can isolate, the digital world is a vital tool for the first steps of reconnection.
👉 Peer Power: Classmates are the most effective allies for a successful return to school. These findings are shaping our new training curricula for more inclusive schools!

View the full report here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/EUHikikomoriReport

Hikikomori Italia | DGASPC HR | Spectrum Research Centre | ENTER Network | Co&So

📰 Newsletter #1: Discover the RECONNECT project!

Supporting the return to social life for those suffering from extreme social withdrawal is the mission of our new European project. 🌍

From teacher training to the development of an EU-level "Community Voice Station," here are the first steps of our journey, which officially began in January.

👉 Swipe through the cards to discover the details and the partners involved!

Hikikomori Italia | DGASPC HR | Spectrum Research Centre | ENTER Network

A recent report highlights the growing phenomenon of —young people experiencing severe social withdrawal—in Italy, estimating around 200,000 cases, far exceeding previous official figures.

Hikikomori are adolescents or young adults who isolate themselves at home for months or even years, often due to emotional distress, feelings of inadequacy, and difficulties in social relationships. The phenomenon is increasingly widespread across Europe and tends to begin at an earlier age, reflecting broader challenges related to mental health, school pressure, and social expectations.

In response to this growing issue, the European project Reconnect-EU aims to support the social and educational reintegration of adolescents at risk of withdrawal. The project focuses on developing inclusive educational practices and strengthening collaboration between schools, educators, and mental health professionals.

Through training programs for teachers, school staff, and peer students, RECONNECT seeks to improve early identification, prevention, and intervention strategies for social withdrawal and psychosocial distress. By building shared knowledge and practical tools at a European level, the project contributes to addressing hikikomori as a complex and emerging challenge.

Hikikomori Italia | DGASPC HR | Spectrum Research Centre | ENTER Network | Co&So

Hikikomori, in Italia sono 200mila: ben oltre le stime ufficiali - Notizie - Ansa.it Il presidente dell'associazione: Conteggiati solo 50mila iscritti a scuola ma fenomeno si allarga (ANSA)

📢 RECONNECT Project – First Steps!
The RECONNECT project has officially started its work, marking an important step toward supporting teachers and adolescents in re-integrating hikikomori peers into society and school life.

🌐 National Focus Groups
As part of this phase, focus groups have been organized across the five participating countries. These discussions brought together:
👨‍🏫 Teachers and school staff
🧠 Psychologists and educators
💼 Professionals working closely with young people

🎯 Key Objectives
The aim of these focus groups was to:
🔍 Explore the current situation of adolescents
💡 Understand their specific needs and challenges
📥 Collect insights from experts in education and youth support

🛠️ Developing Training Curricula
The knowledge gathered will be essential for creating two dedicated training programs:
📚 For Schools: Designed for teachers and school staff.
👥 For Peers: Designed specifically for adolescents.

These programs will equip schools and young people with the tools needed to better support and reconnect those experiencing social withdrawal.

✨ Stay tuned to follow the next steps of the RECONNECT project!

HHikikomori Italia| DDGASPC HR| SSpectrum Research Centre| EENTER Network| CCo&So

The interview about the RECONNECT Project is now online!

How can we support young people experiencing social withdrawal (Hikikomori) in reconnecting with society and regaining control of their lives?

Simona Pancari and Zsofia Jobbagy, project managers at Co&So, the coordinator of the RECONNECT project, were invited to speak on Controradio Firenze about the initiative.

During the interview, they presented the goals and activities of RECONNECT and discussed how the project is working in Tuscany to create pathways for listening, support, and reintegration for adolescents experiencing social withdrawal.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast

ENTER Network | DGASPC HR | Spectrum Research Centre | Hikikomori Italia

In Toscana un progetto per riportare i giovani Hikikomori fuori da casa In Toscana un progetto per riportare i giovani Hikikomori fuori da casa

Last but not least, our sixth project partner is ENTER Network.

🌍 E.N.T.E.R. – Strengthening European Cooperation Since 2005

Founded in 2005, E.N.T.E.R. is a European networking organisation that supports EU strategies by promoting the dissemination and exploitation of results from projects funded under major European programmes.

With extensive experience in European project work — including Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Creative Europe, Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), and Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) — the organisation has developed strong expertise and practical tools to contribute to the successful implementation and long-term impact of EU-funded initiatives.

E.N.T.E.R.’s expanding network reaches over 2,000 individuals and organisations, bringing together 292 active members and showcasing 521 projects from 38 countries on its platform.

Its international online platform for exchange and networking enables members across Europe to share project information and results with businesses, non-profit organisations, public bodies, and individuals — increasing visibility, fostering collaboration, and strengthening European cooperation.

By connecting projects, people, and ideas across borders, E.N.T.E.R. plays an important role in enhancing the impact and sustainability of European-funded initiatives.

The fifth project partner we would like to introduce to you is La Salle-Buen Consejo from Spain.

Founded in 1904, Colegio La Salle-Buen Consejo began as a small school serving the children of workers from a naval factory. More than a century later, it continues to grow and inspire, now welcoming 630 students between the ages of 3 and 18 across kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels, supported by a dedicated team of 47 teachers.

La Salle-Buen Consejo is an open and welcoming school, deeply connected to the needs of its neighbourhood and enriched by its own youth associations. Its mission goes beyond academic excellence: it is committed to the human education of children and young people, with special sensitivity toward building supportive and socially responsible communities. The school strives to foster a critical and committed social conscience among all members of its educational community, including students, teachers, staff, parents, and associated members.

At every stage, students follow a bilingual Spanish-English curriculum built around a holistic STEAM approach known as the New Context of Learning (NCA). This innovative model integrates mind, body, and movement, nurturing interior growth, human quality, spirituality, and personal development. By breaking away from traditional classroom structures, the school promotes creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, empowering students to construct their own learning, develop reflection skills, practice self-regulation, and actively engage in meaningful experiences.

With a proud history and a forward-looking vision, Colegio La Salle-Buen Consejo continues to shape generations of confident, compassionate, and socially committed young people.

Our fourth project partner is DGASPC HR

The General Directorate for Social Assistance and Child Protection of Harghita County (DGASPC Harghita) stands as a key public institution in one of Romania’s most ethnically diverse regions, where the majority of the population is Hungarian. As a sub-entity of the Harghita County Council, DGASPC Harghita plays a crucial role in implementing welfare measures and protecting the rights of children, youth, families, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other individuals in need.

With a team of over 800 employees, DGASPC Harghita is the county’s largest social service provider. Their work includes running family-type and residential care for around 900 children and young adults, managing specialized residential centers for people with disabilities, and providing sheltered homes for care-leavers and victims of domestic abuse. They also offer counseling, crisis intervention, and case management services, making them a vital partner for organizations and initiatives focused on social inclusion and poverty reduction.

As a project partner, DGASPC Harghita brings extensive experience in social protection, community support, and the development of strategies to combat social exclusion. Their commitment to vulnerable groups and their broad network of services make them an essential ally in creating meaningful, sustainable change in Harghita County and beyond.