Healing Hearts – GO Alive

Healing Hearts: Transforming Hate through Well-being and Trauma Healing

Europe is experiencing an alarming increase in hate speech and hate crime, both online and offline. This trend undermines EU values and fundamental rights, exacerbates societal polarization, and silences diverse voices. Many individuals who engage in hate speech or hate crimes often do so from a place of unresolved trauma and emotional distress. Addressing these underlying issues through well-being and trauma healing practices could significantly reduce hate incidents and promote social cohesion.

Our project, "Healing Hearts: Transforming Hate through Well-being and Trauma Healing," aims to combat hate speech and hate crime by addressing their root causes through trauma healing and well-being practices. By providing comprehensive support services, engaging in community activities, and establishing partnerships with public authorities, we seek to promote EU values of dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. This initiative will enhance social cohesion, support victims, and create a more inclusive society by transforming individuals' behavior and fostering a culture of understanding and empathy.

Healing Hearts (HH - 101215053) is being implemented on 1st of July 2025 until 30th of June 2027 in Sweden, Greece, Ireland and Lithuania. It is co-funded by EU, through the programme CERV-2024-CHA.

Target Groups

Individuals involved in or affected by hate speech and hate crimes, particularly those with unresolved trauma.
Community members, including youth volunteers and educators, who play a role in fostering social inclusion and combating hate.

Goal

To combat hate speech and hate crime by addressing their root causes through trauma healing and well-being practices, fostering EU values of dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.

Objectives

To Reduce Hate Speech and Hate Crime: Implement trauma healing and well-being practices to address the root causes of hate behavior.
To Support Victims: Provide comprehensive support services to victims of hate speech and hate crimes.
To Promote Community Cohesion: Foster inclusion and understanding within communities through workshops and community events.
To Enhance Reporting and Cooperation: Establish mechanisms for reporting hate incidents and cooperation with public authorities and law enforcement.

Expected Outcomes

Behavioral Transformation: Reduced incidents of hate speech and hate crime among participants through trauma healing and well-being interventions.
Victim Support: Enhanced social inclusion and well-being for victims through personalized support services.
Community Engagement: Increased community cohesion and understanding through workshops and cultural events.
Improved: Better reporting and recording of hate incidents through collaboration with public authorities and law enforcement.
Youth Empowerment: Increased engagement and experience for youth volunteers in promoting social inclusion and combating hate.

Activities

Research and Analysis: Conduct studies to understand the psychological and emotional factors leading to hate speech and crime.
Workshops and Seminars: Organize workshops on non-violent communication, mindfulness, meditation, and self-care, led by experts, to promote trauma healing and well-being.
Success Story Collection: Document and share success stories of individuals who have transformed from perpetrators of hate to advocates of well-being.
Mentorship Programs: Establish mentorship programs to provide continuous support and guidance for participants.
Community Engagement Events: Host retreats, cultural events, and non-formal education activities to promote inclusion and community support.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to raise awareness about the impact of trauma and well-being on hate behavior.
Collaboration with Authorities: Develop partnerships with local authorities and law enforcement to enhance reporting mechanisms and support for victims.
Online Hate Speech Counteraction: Design and promote counter-narratives, report harmful content, and conduct educational activities on online hate speech.