Embrace Future

21/05/2026

Reflecting on the Embrace Future Regional Conference in Iași! 🇷🇴

Last week, we brought together over 100 participants in Iași for a vital conversation on child mental health. With 1 in 5 children in Romania facing mental health challenges, Embrace Future is committed to moving from "knowing" to "acting."

The energy on May 14th was inspiring as we explored four key pillars:

• Education & Policy: Building frameworks with UNICEF and local leaders.
• Research & Innovation: Using data and AI to drive pedagogical change.
• Public Health: Prioritizing mental health as a community fundamental.
• Civil Society: Sharing pioneered models of care from top NGOs.

Thank you to all our speakers and attendees for helping us bridge the gap between resources and the children who need them most. Together, we are building a functional support system where no signal for help goes unnoticed. 💙

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

19/05/2026

Can you name TRUST?

As part of our initiative, we turn to psychologist Robert Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions, where trust is a core emotion that supports connection, cooperation, and emotional security.

Trust is more than “just feeling safe.”
It is the foundation of relationships, helping children feel supported, confident, and open to others.

Research shows that naming emotions (“affect labeling”) supports emotional regulation and strengthens social understanding. When children learn to recognize trust, they are better able to build healthy relationships, communicate openly, and seek support when needed.

👉 Join the Embrace Future interactive quiz:
“Name the Emotions - Trust”
Step 1: Vote in the Poll below ⬇️
“Trust feels closest to…”
🟢 Safety
🟢 Comfort
🟢 Confidence
🟢 Belonging

Step 2: Try the full quiz online:
▪ ENGLISH: www.menti.com/alyey79qtvvk
▪ ROMANIAN: www.menti.com/alydbcq31xsd

💡 Why this matters:
When trust is recognized and nurtured, children develop stronger relationships, emotional security, and confidence in themselves and others.

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

14/05/2026

How Our Brain Builds Trust 🤝

Did you know that trust plays an important role in how young people develop honesty and responsibility?

Researchers studying child development have found that simply expressing trust in young people can encourage them to behave more honestly.

In studies with kindergarteners, young people who were trusted with small responsibilities were significantly less likely to cheat than young people who were not given the same signals of trust.

This shows something powerful:
When young people feel trusted, they often want to live up to that trust.

At the same time, they are learning who they can trust by observing how others behave, communicate, and respond to them.

Trust works as a social signal that helps young people understand expectations, build confidence, and strengthen relationships.

It is also an important emotion that helps young people feel safe, connected, and secure in their relationships.

Trust is not only about how young people act, but also about helping them recognize safe and supportive relationships and trust their own instincts.

Simple everyday actions can help nurture trust:
• asking young people to help with small tasks
• encouraging open conversations
• acknowledging honest behavior
• showing consistency and support
• encouraging young people to listen to their feelings and inner voice

When young people feel trusted, they are more likely to act responsibly and develop strong character.

Check out Embrace Future’s simple tips for building trust and supporting young people’s emotional development 👇
EN: https://tinyurl.com/bdhyny9h
RO: https://tinyurl.com/3dyewvbe

Source: University of Toronto, Hangzhou Normal University, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Research on trust and honesty in early childhood, https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/24/02/new-study-finds-childrens-honesty-encouraged-trust

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

12/05/2026

This Thursday! Join the Embrace Future Regional Conference in Iași

Children’s mental health in Romania is a collective responsibility. With only one school counselor for every 500 students, the "safety net" for our youth depends on a connected ecosystem: schools, families, authorities, and NGOs working as one.

On May 14th, the Embrace Future Regional Conference brings together more than 20 leading experts to develop a systemic response to these challenges.

Meet our distinguished panels of speakers:

🔹 Education & Policy Leaders:

• Luminița Costache (UNICEF) & Ramona Pavel (UNICEF) on inclusive education and equity.

• Atanasiu (Member of Parliament) & Farcaș (https://ccdis.ro/) on strategic educational frameworks.

• Adrian Lăcustă (https://www.uslipiasi.ro/) & Petronela Petrea (https://liceulvalealupului.ro/) bringing the essential voice of teachers and frontline school management.

🔹 Research & Innovation Pioneers:

• Prof. Ștefan Cojocaru (www.uaic.ro) & Prof. Ciprian Ceobanu (www.uaic.ro) on research methodology and the role of AI in pedagogy.

• Alexandru Holicov (www.adservio.ro) on the digital transformation of the Romanian classroom.

• Irina Vasile (www.narada.ro) on intervention models based on rigorous data.

🔹 Public Health & Local Authority Experts:

• Necula (Deputy Mayor of Iași) & Dr. Cristina Dobre (www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064659973348) on public administration and mental health as a priority.

• Camelia Tamaș (www.cjrae-iasi.ro/echipa-manageriala) on coordinating counseling at the systemic level.

🔹 Civil Society & Psychological Support:

• Francesca Nicora & Bogdan Borș (www.tdh.org/en).

• Simona Pavelescu (www.ave-romania.ro) & Călugăreanu (www.bursabinelui.ro).

• Mihaela Dimitriu (Save the Children), Adriana Bîrsan (www.wvi.org/Romania), & Raluca Bejenariu (www.indialog.org/).

📍 Context: 1 in 5 children lives with a mental health issue, yet many remain undetected. As highlighted by Pozitiva (https://tinyurl.com/bx4s4sar), half of these disorders begin before age 14. It’s time to bridge the gap between knowing and acting.

Let’s embrace resilience together.

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

07/05/2026

Understanding Trust 🤝
The Emotion That Connects Us

Trust is the feeling that allows us to feel safe with others.

In Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions, trust sits opposite disgust. While disgust warns us to pull away from something harmful, trust encourages us to move closer and build connection.

In our new Embrace Future animation on Trust, children learn that trust:
🤝 Helps us build friendships and relationships
🛡️ Makes us feel safe sharing our thoughts and feelings
🌱 Grows stronger through kindness, honesty, and support

Young people pay close attention to emotional signals when deciding who to trust. Positive expressions, caring behavior, and supportive relationships all help children feel safe enough to rely on others.

Our animated characters - Leo, Wise Owl, Flutter, Ana, and Alex - help young viewers understand that trust grows through everyday interactions.

Whether it’s leaning on a friend like Flutter and Sparky, listening to your inner voice like Maya, or opening up to a guardian like Alex, trust is the bridge that keeps us safe and connected.

👉 Watch the TRUST animation:
EN: https://youtu.be/3zoZXlIdzj0
RO: https://youtu.be/ZGGVYqwoYJ4

In our blog this week, we also explore how trust develops in children and why emotional signals play such an important role in building strong relationships.

By promoting emotional literacy and resilience, the Embrace Future supports families and educators in helping children understand how trust helps relationships grow.

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

05/05/2026

Building a Systemic Response for Children’s Mental Health in Romania 💙

Children's mental health has become a major challenge, recognized by both specialists and authorities. An effective response requires an integrated approach that connects school, family, community, and the institutional system.

The Embrace Future Regional Conference is an invitation to the entire ecosystem to build this systemic response together. We are honored to feature a distinguished panel of speakers who will share their expertise.

Featured in the Session Poster:

• Luminița Costache - Education Specialist at UNICEF Romania: A leader in promoting inclusive education and social-emotional well-being with 30+ years of experience.

• Ștefan Cojocaru - University Professor and PhD at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social-Political Sciences at UAIC (www.uaic.ro) / President of HoltIS (www.holtis.ro): Expert in research methodology and appreciative methods in social work and child protection.

• Francesca Nicora - Education & Child Protection Specialist at Terre des hommes Romania (www.tdh.ro): Expert in psychosocial programmes for vulnerable children in humanitarian and emergency contexts.

• Alexandru Holicov - Founder & CEO at Adservio: A pioneer in the digitalization of Romanian education, connecting over 1.5 million students, parents, and teachers.

The conference is organized within the EMBRACE project, implemented by a consortium of partners - Fundația Serviciilor Sociale Bethany, Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Buna ziua, Copii din Romania, FONPC - the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations for Children, and Evolutionary Archetypes SL.

Join us on May 14th as we bridge the gap between individual efforts and collective impact!

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu.

Sănătatea mintală a copiilor din România a ajuns o provocare majoră, recunoscută atât de specialiști, cât și de autorități. Răspunsul eficient nu poate veni dintr-o singură direcție - ci dintr-o abordare integrată, care conectează școala, familia, comunitatea și sistemul instituțional.

Conferința Embrace este o invitație adresată întregului ecosistem de a construi împreună un răspuns sistemic. S-au alăturat acestui efort comun și vor împărtăși din experiența lor:

👤Luminița Costache - Specialistă în Educație la UNICEF Romania, cu peste 30 de ani de experiență în educație, management de proiect, consultanță, protecția copilului, cercetare sociologică și formare. Coordonează programul de educație al UNICEF România, promovând educația timpurie, accesul la o educație incluzivă și de calitate, precum și învățarea socio-emoțională și starea de bine în școală.

👤Ștefan Cojocaru - Profesor Universitar Doctor la Facultatea de Filosofie și Științe Social-Politice, UAIC Iași, și președinte HoltIS. Este specializat în metodologia cercetării și evaluarea programelor sociale, fiind cunoscut pentru intervențiile bazate pe metode apreciative în asistența socială și protecția copilului.

👤Francesca Nicora - Specialistă în educație și protecția copilului la
Terre des hommes România, cu experiență în contexte umanitare de urgență și programe psihosociale pentru copii vulnerabili.

👤Alexandru Holicov - Fondator și CEO Adservio, lider în digitalizarea educației românești, a construit o soluție prezentă astăzi în peste 2.500 de școli, conectând 1.500.000 de elevi, părinți și cadre didactice.
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Conferința este organizată în cadrul proiectului EMBRACE, implementat de un consorțiu de parteneri – Fundația Serviciilor Sociale Bethany, Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociația ”Buna ziua, Copii din Romania”, FONPC - Federația Organizațiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil și Evolutionary Archetypes SL.
Finanțat de Uniunea Europeană. Punctele de vedere și opiniile exprimate aparțin exclusiv autorului (autorilor) și nu reflectă neapărat cele ale Uniunii Europene sau ale Agenției Executive pentru Educație și Cultură (EACEA). Nici Uniunea Europeană și nici autoritatea finanțatoare nu pot fi considerate responsabile pentru acestea.

30/04/2026

Can you name DISGUST?

As part of our initiative, we turn to psychologist Robert Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions, where disgust is a core emotion that helps protect us from things that might be harmful or unsafe.

Disgust often appears when we encounter unpleasant smells, tastes, or situations.
It can help us avoid danger, but it can also influence how we react to unfamiliar experiences.

Research shows that naming emotions (“affect labeling”) helps reduce emotional intensity and supports self-regulation. When children learn to recognize disgust, they become better at understanding their reactions, communicating discomfort, and making safer choices.

👉 Join the Embrace Future interactive quiz:
“Name the Emotions - Disgust”
Step 1: Vote in the Poll below ⬇️
“Disgust feels closest to…”
🟡 Avoidance
🟡 Fear
🟡 Anger
🟡 Disappointment

Step 2: Try the full quiz online:
▪ ENGLISH: https://www.menti.com/al91artbiu9g
▪ ROMANIAN: https://www.menti.com/al1pw9pa36o5

💡 Why this matters:
When children learn to recognize disgust, they can better understand their reactions to unpleasant experiences and develop healthy emotional boundaries.

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

28/04/2026

Meet the Embrace Future Squad! 🌟

Our project characters are companions for self-discovery and tools for emotional growth. We are so excited to announce that the full cast is now available on our dedicated character page!

Whether it’s navigating primary school feelings, dealing with insecurity in middle school, or the complexities of high school life, there is a character for every journey.

Explore the squad:

• Primary School Heroes: Meet the hero characters: Wise Owl, Nutty, Sparky, Flutter, alongside Dusty and Bytu. Together, they help younger children explore playfulness, curiosity, and inner struggles.

• Middle School Guides: Join Maya and Leo as they navigate friendships and school pressures, supported by their inner guides, Maya+ and Leo+.

• High School Mentors: Follow Ana and Alex on their journey of resilience and self-acceptance, accompanied by the intuitive voices of Ana+ and Alex+.

At Embrace Future, we invite you to connect with characters who reflect your unique challenges and strengths.

✨ Visit the page now to meet the squad and download your favorites: https://embrace-future.eu/the-embrace-characters/

Which character do you resonate with today? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

23/04/2026

How Our Brain Protects Us

Did you know that disgust is one of the brain’s oldest protection systems?

Scientists studying emotions explain that disgust evolved to protect the body from harmful substances like spoiled food, bacteria, and toxins. Over time, this protective reaction expanded beyond taste or smell and can now be triggered by things we see, hear, or even imagine.

When something feels “gross,” the brain is actually doing an important job:
it’s warning us that something might not be safe.

Disgust works like a biological alarm system that helps us avoid potential danger before it reaches our body.

For children and teenagers, this reaction can feel very strong. Learning to recognize and understand disgust helps young people build healthy boundaries and trust their instincts.

Check out Embrace Future simple tips to understand and respond to disgust better 👇
EN: https://tinyurl.com/mutnv48m
RO: https://tinyurl.com/5bckpf4r

Source: Tolchinsky et al., Disgust as a Primary Emotional System and its Clinical Relevance, 2024
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11409098/

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

21/04/2026

Digital Literacy is Mental Health Literacy: Navigating Cyberbullying & The Online World with Embrace Future

The internet can be a space for learning, creativity, and belonging. But for middle and high school students, that "belonging" can quickly shift if the environment becomes unsafe.

In Module 5 of the Embrace Future Toolkit, we dive deep into the dual nature of the online world. Our latest sessions focus on empowering students to reclaim their digital spaces by moving from passive scrolling to active safety.

Key Takeaways from the Training:

• The Digital Upside: We start by validating the benefits. From digital creativity to finding a community where they don't feel alone, we acknowledge why being online matters to youth.
• Defining the Line: Cyberbullying is the repeated use of digital spaces to humiliate or emotionally hurt others. Recognizing this definition is the first step to stopping it.
• The "Stop Cyberbullying" Action Plan: We teach students that they are never alone in this.
• Understanding Communication Styles: High school students specifically learn how to identify different communication styles (passive, aggressive, and assertive) and learn how to respond to online behavior healthily.

Our strategy is built on three pillars:
👩‍🏫 Reporting to Trusted Adults: Breaking the silence with parents or teachers.
🤝 Active Allyship: Supporting classmates who are targeted rather than staying silent.
💬 Digital Respect: Refusing to encourage or circulate insulting messages.

The Goal: To ensure the online space remains what it was meant to be - a place of respect, support, and safety.

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu

17/04/2026

🤢 Understanding Disgust: The Emotion That Protects Us

As part of the Embrace Future’s campaign, we explore emotions through Robert Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions, where disgust sits opposite trust.

While trust helps us feel safe and open to others, disgust acts as an important warning signal. It alerts us when something may be unhealthy, unsafe, or simply not right.

In our newest Embrace Future animation, young viewers join Ana, Leo, and Dusty Mouse as they discover how Disgust works like a protective shield, alarming us when something doesn't feel right or healthy.

Helping children understand emotions like disgust supports them in:
• recognizing unsafe or unhealthy situations
• trusting their instincts
• developing personal boundaries
• building emotional awareness

When families talk about emotions, young people learn that their reactions are meaningful and can guide healthy decisions.

🎬 Watch the new DISGUST animation
EN: https://youtu.be/Cg6uBpE2kPw
RO: https://youtu.be/q7PRKDFSxDQ

Funding Agency: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/
Learn more about EMBRACE: embrace-future.eu