# Psychologically Safe Learning Environments – The STEP Project Strengthens Teachers’ Competencies

> The STEP Project Creates Safer Learning – Aiming for Trauma-Informed and Inclusive Higher Education Teaching.

## The Challenge of Trauma in Higher Education
European higher education institutions are increasingly welcoming students who have fled their home countries due to war or crisis. Many of these students have experienced traumatic events that affect their learning and well-being. Stress, fear, and other trauma-related consequences can make studying difficult, and teachers often lack the necessary skills to support these students. This can negatively impact students’ well-being, academic success, and sense of belonging within the higher education community.

## Project Goals and Scope
The STEP (Supporting Trauma-Informed Teaching in Higher Education) Erasmus+ project (2025-2027) aims to address these challenges. Its main goal is to strengthen teachers’ competencies in trauma-informed approaches and promote the adoption of trauma-informed teaching practices, so that learning environments become psychologically safe and genuinely inclusive for all students.

The project brings together 20 experts in trauma, mental health, and pedagogy from five European organisations:
*   SUAS (Finland)
*   Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (Germany)
*   FH JOANNEUM (Austria)
*   Institute for Migration Research (Croatia)
*   Khmelnytskyi National University (Ukraine)

## Methodology and Expected Outcomes
The project activities are based on a scoping review of existing research and the results of a survey conducted in all five participating countries. These findings will form the foundation for developing a trauma-informed teaching framework and a train-the-trainer programme. Concrete outcomes will include a curriculum, a guidebook, and open-access learning materials for use across Europe.

The principles of trauma-informed teaching will be integrated into the structures of higher education institutions and teacher education in a sustainable way. This will promote student well-being, inclusion, and long-term impact at the level of education policy in Europe.

## Evaluation and European Impact
The Erasmus+ programme is funded by the European Union, and in Finland, it is coordinated by the Finnish National Agency for Education. The project has been recognized as important and timely, addressing a clear need to support students with traumatic experiences. The consortium was praised for its diversity and the inclusion of the Ukrainian university, which brings valuable practical experience from a war-affected region. The project is expected to offer clear European added value and has the potential to become a best practice model for the higher education sector.

## Participating Organizations
*   **Savonia University of Applied Sciences – Finland**
    *   Pirjo Pehkonen (pirjo.pehkonen@savonia.fi)
    *   Jukka Aho (jukka.aho@savonia.fi)
    *   Teija Korhonen
    *   https://www.savonia.fi
*   **Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg – Germany**
    *   Florian Steger (Florian.Steger@dhbw.de)
    *   Sumaia Al-Ghurbani (sumaia.al-ghurbani@dhbw.de)
    *   Robert Lahdo (robert.lahdo@dhbw.de)
    *   https://www.dhbw-vs.de
*   **FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft – Austria**
    *   Elena Stuhlpfarrer (elena.stuhlpfarrer@fh-joanneum.at)
    *   Sabine Hötzl (sabine.hoetzl@fh-joanneum.at)
    *   https://www.fh-joanneum.at
*   **Institute for Migration Research – Croatia**
    *   Marko Turk (Marko.Turk@imin.hr)
    *   Iva Tadić (Iva.Tadic@imin.hr)
    *   https://www.imin.hr
*   **Khmelnytskyi National University – Ukraine**
    *   Kateryna Skyba (skybakm@khmnu.edu.ua)
    *   https://khmnu.edu.ua/

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*Funded by the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) can be held responsible for the content of this publication.*