Psychological support for students: Lombardy allocates 3.7 million

In Lombardy, the new ‘Scuola in Ascolto’ call for proposals is now open for the three-year period 2026–2029. With a budget of 3.7 million euros, the initiative aims to listen to pupils in order to prevent distress and promote the psychological, educational and social wellbeing of the younger generation, strengthen educational communities and build an increasingly inclusive school system.

The service is aimed at state and state-recognised educational institutions at primary and secondary level, and at training institutions within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. Furthermore, the initiative forms part of the new Memorandum of Understanding between the Lombardy Region and the Regional Education Office for Lombardy.

With regard to the new call for proposals, an initial phase is planned to gather expressions of interest in order to identify the lead educational and training institutions and their respective local networks interested in delivering the service. Lead institutions meeting the required criteria will be selected and will proceed to the second phase, which is dedicated to the delivery of the service and its funding. Expressions of interest must be submitted to the Lombardy Region exclusively online via the ‘Bandi e Servizi’ platform, from 12.00 on 27 July until 17.00 on 2 October, following authentication via SPID, Electronic Identity Card (CIE) or National/Regional Services Card (CNS/CRS).

“Building on the results of the first programme, the initiative is being strengthened with a budget of 3,738,000 euros – higher than that of the previous three-year period – and with significant new measures designed to simplify the work of schools, build on the experience gained locally and ensure the continuity of support services,” explained Simona Tironi, Regional Councillor for Education, Training and Employment, noting that “the results achieved during the 2023–2025 period confirm the importance of the Lombardy Region’s investment”.

In particular, during the period 2023–2025, thanks to 52 local networks comprising state schools, state-recognised private schools and training institutions, the project has already involved 945 schools and training institutions across the entire region. A total of 417 professionals have been contracted, including 301 psychologists and 116 educationalists. Through 391 counselling centres, thousands of one-to-one sessions have been held with pupils, families and school staff, and 381 interventions have been carried out directly in classrooms, focusing on the prevention of mental health issues, emotional education and the promotion of wellbeing.