From January 12 to 13, 2026, the kick-off meeting for the project SAFE LEARN (Supporting Adaptive and Flexible Education for War-Affected Students in Ukraine) took place at the Public Security Academy of Mykolas Romeris University in Lithuania. Representatives from all partner institutions in Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, and Germany came together for the official launch of the project, including Dr. Tetiana Gorokhova, guest researcher at the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS).
During the event, Ukrainian representatives shared their first-hand experiences and identified the needs of students and teachers working in war conditions. European representatives then presented their expertise and opportunities for supporting trauma-sensitive teaching approaches based on digital tools.
Working with students and educators affected by war raises critical questions, particularly regarding research ethics, the protection of vulnerable populations, obtaining informed consent, ensuring participant safety, complying with GDPR, and managing data securely. This project examines these challenges in depth and develops practical approaches, including the Living Lab methodology for trauma-sensitive education, co-creation, safe participation, and rapid testing of innovative approaches in educational contexts.
Key topics included the development of the Online Resource Centre (ORC), the allocation of responsibilities within the consortium and sustainability strategies for project outcomes. Interactive formats, including a LEGO® Serious Play workshop, supported collaborative reflection and exchange.
Further information about the project can be found on the website:
https://events.pstu.edu/safelearn/en/safe-learn-en/