Credit: L'École des Valeurs

Luxembourg-based non-profit organisation L'École des Valeurs (School of Values) recently organised an event as part of its anti-bullying project under the European initiative "HeartGuard – Empowering Youth Against Bullying".

Bullying remains a hidden yet deeply damaging issue in schools and youth environments across Europe, including Luxembourg. According to L'École des Valeurs, it often goes unspoken, leaving victims isolated and long-term effects unaddressed. The organisation stressed the growing need for open dialogue, tools for resilience and a strong community response.

To address this societal issue, L'École des Valeurs launched a project as part of the broader HeartGuard initiative. The project focuses on equipping young people with the knowledge, courage and empathy to recognise, speak up about and take action against bullying.

After holding several workshops in European and international schools in Luxembourg, L'École des Valeurs held a session (in French) on Monday 14 July 2025 in a non-formal educational setting (Rotondes in Luxembourg-Bonnevoie).

Led by a youth worker trained within the Heartguard framework, the session brought together almost a dozen young participants aged thirteen to seventeen to explore bullying and how to address it. Reflecting the Luxembourg's diversity, the group included speakers of various languages, including French, Luxembourgish, Cape Verdean Creole, Arabic, German and Romanian.

Participants explored 85 real-life questions about bullying, selected the ones most relevant to their own experiences and worked through them together. The organisers described the atmosphere as "open, respectful and empowering".

To share their insights, participants created and performed two short theatrical scenarios highlighting the personal impact of bullying. They also developed ten solution-focused scenarios, offering concrete strategies to address and respond to different types of bullying situations. These scenarios will now serve as educational tools for youth workers and educators who want to replicate similar interventions.

One such scenario portrayed Lavinia, a girl of colour who is bullied because of her skin tone. Rather than remaining silent, she finds the courage one day to stand up and deliver a speech in front of her class, reclaiming her voice and dignity. Another featured Liam, a boy who uses a wheelchair and is mocked and excluded by his peers until two classmates invite him to join their group - showing how small acts of kindness can transform lives.

These stories sparked a "powerful" group discussion on the roles people play in bullying situations: bystanders who remain passive, silently watching, or upstanders who are willing to act. Participants also raised questions such as: "Is it bullying if it only happens once, or does it need to be repeated to matter?"

During the feedback session, young participants shared messages such as:

  • "We need to support those who suffer the bullying."
  • "We should not bully anyone, it's embarrassing."
  • "Ask for support if this happens to you."
  • "If you suffer from bullying, do not keep it to yourself - talk about it!"
  • "When someone repeatedly tells you 'T'es nul!' [You're useless!], others start repeating it. Then you start believing it. Get support!"
  • "Call the police!"
  • "Refer to an adult!"

This activity forms part of a wider European effort coordinated through HeartGuard, developed by L'École des Valeurs in partnership with a youth organisation in France. The project is funded by the Erasmus+ programme through Anefore Luxembourg and supported by community partners, institutions and youth networks working together to create safer, more empathetic spaces for young people.

According to L'École des Valeurs, the "true success" of this project lies in its human impact: a group of young people left the experience "transformed", notably more aware, more empathetic and braver. The organisers noted that participants did not only learn to recognise and stand up to bullying but also became "kinder, stronger individuals, ready to shape a more respectful and inclusive society".

As part of the project, L'École des Valeurs has developed educational resources for teachers and youth workers committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces for young people. These practical tools are designed to support efforts in preventing and addressing bullying.

L'École des Valeurs is the Luxembourg-based branch of the Scoala de Valori, which has been active in Romania and, by way of collaboration, in other EU countries, for over fifteen years. The institution offers values-based non-formal education for students aged eight to 30. Its programmes are funded by Erasmus+ and endorsed by ANEFORE in Luxembourg.

As part of its anti-bullying project, L'École des Valeurs has developed an engaging concept based on learning through play for children, along with a practical kit designed to support teachers and youth workers in their daily activities with young people in schools and youth centres.

More information about the project and resources is available at https://lecoledesvaleurs.eu/heartguard/