The RECONNECTED project, supported by the EU's Horizon programme, seeks to tackle mental health issues experienced by vulnerable populations across Europe and to strengthen psychological resilience with a particular focus on individuals of low socio-economic status. The aim of this presentation is to introduce the RECONNECTED project and its implementation in Kosovo; outlining the theoretical framework, co-creation process, digital interventions, scientific methodology, early insights, trends, key lessons learned, and the implementation challenges and opportunities specific to the Kosovar context. RECONNECTED represents a novel model of community-based care, designed to deliver a digital, evidence-based, ecologically sensitive, and self-managed support system to promote resilience and foster stronger citizen engagement in protecting mental health and well-being during times of change—all at a cost-effective level of implementation. As part of the project, the theoretical framework for urban mental health has been expanded, and a digital support system is currently being developed through a participatory co-creation process, as well as a cohort study incorporating Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). To date, five stakeholder meetings have been conducted, yielding critical insights into local needs and priorities. A cohort study has been completed, with data collection finalised and analyses underway. In parallel, a factorial trial is being designed and prepared to evaluate key components of the intervention—namely mental health literacy, social prescribing, and micro-interventions—under real-world conditions. In addition, a preliminary situational analysis, was carried out in Kosovo. These developments represent substantial progress offering transferable lessons for similar implementation efforts in other settings.

Authors:
Naim Fanaj, Alma Mater Europaea Campus College Rezonanca, Kosovo
Sevim Mustafa, NGO PMSH, Kosovo
Elona Krasniqi, UBT Higher Education Institution, Kosovo
Arlinda Cerga Pashoja, St Mary's University, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Naim FANAJ is associate professor of Alma Mater Europaea Campus College Rezonanca, Prishtina, Kosovo and Researcher at the NGO Per Mendje te Shendoshe. He is Principal Researcher for Kosovo in several EU science innovative projects.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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