Education, Empathy and Resilience: Supporting Children’s Wellbeing Through Innovative Learning

Across Europe and beyond, growing attention is being paid to the importance of children's mental health, emotional wellbeing, and resilience. As societies face rapid social, economic, and technological change, educational initiatives that equip children with emotional and social skills are becoming increasingly important. The Czepczyński Family Foundation (CFF), member of Eurochild since 2024, has emerged as a significant contributor to this effort, combining educational innovation with a strong commitment to supporting children and communities worldwide.

Founded in Poland with the mission of creating equal opportunities for children through education, the Czepczyński Family Foundation develops and supports projects that foster learning, personal development, and social inclusion. While the Foundation is widely recognized for promoting educational access and lifelong learning, one of its most impactful areas of work focuses on children's emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Among CFF's flagship initiatives are the educational projects ABC of Empathy and ABC of Emotions. These projects were created in response to a growing need for age-appropriate tools that help children understand themselves and others. Through engaging stories, practical exercises, and relatable characters, the books and teachers’ materials introduce young pupils at kindergartens and primary schools to concepts such as empathy, emotional awareness, kindness, respect, and resilience.

The importance of these skills cannot be overstated. Research consistently shows that children who can identify, understand, and regulate their emotions are better equipped to cope with stress, build healthy relationships, and succeed both academically and socially. Similarly, empathy plays a crucial role in reducing bullying, strengthening social cohesion, and promoting positive mental health outcomes.

The ABC of Empathy project encourages children to see the world from different perspectives and develop sensitivity towards the experiences of others. By learning empathy from an early age, children gain valuable tools for building inclusive communities and fostering mutual understanding. Meanwhile, ABC of Emotions helps children recognize and express a wide range of emotions in healthy ways, supporting emotional literacy and self-confidence. 

The relevance of such work was highlighted during the conference “Education and Resilience for Life: Supporting Children and Educators”, organized by the Czepczyński Family Foundation in Brussels in May 2026. The event brought together policymakers, educators, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and child-focused stakeholders to discuss how non-governmental and private sectors can respond to the educational needs of children and strengthen resilience through education.

Opening remarks were delivered by Bogdan Zdrojewski, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the CULT Committee, while the keynote address was given by Brikena Xhomaqi, Director of the Lifelong Learning Platform, who spoke about educational needs of children globally and the role of the non-governmental sector in addressing current and future societal challenges.

The first thematic session explored the role of non-governmental organizations and private-sector actors in responding to children's educational needs. Representatives from SOS Children's Villages, EuroHealthNet, the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), Amazon Poland, PZU SA, and Totalizator Sportowy joined CFF to share perspectives on partnership, social responsibility, and investment in children's development.

Particular attention was also given to supporting Ukrainian children through education during times of war. Participants discussed the needs of children affected by displacement and conflict, as well as approaches to strengthening mental health, wellbeing, and resilience in schools. CFF presented its experience in providing teaching materials to 565 schools and kindergartens in 5 regions of Ukraine and training 1650 teachers.

A third session focused on policy support and access to funding for educational projects, bringing together representatives of the European Commission including Mrs. Diana Jablonska, Director for Erasmus +, Education and Skills and national policymakers to discuss how sustainable investment can help scale effective educational initiatives. The event concluded with closing remarks from Eurochild Secretary General Sabine Saliba, reinforcing the importance of collaborative action to ensure every child has access to quality education and the support needed to flourish.

The discussions in Brussels underscored a message that lies at the heart of the Czepczyński Family Foundation's work: education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing the emotional and social competencies necessary for life. Initiatives such as ABC of Empathy and ABC of Emotions demonstrate how educational tools can contribute directly to children's wellbeing, helping them become resilient, compassionate, and confident individuals.

As Europe continues to address complex social challenges, partnerships between civil society, educators, policymakers, and the private sector will remain essential. By investing in children's emotional development alongside academic learning, organizations such as Czepczyński Family Foundation are helping to build a future in which every child has the opportunity not only to learn, but also to thrive.

You can watch the video recording of the conference here.