Dr. Katarzyna Growiec, in collaboration with an international consortium, has secured Horizon Europe funding for her project titled "LONELY-EU: The Social Isolation and Loneliness in Europe Network: Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations on its Causes, Consequences, and Monitoring." This project represents a major step forward in understanding and addressing social isolation and loneliness across the European Union.
Tackling Loneliness in Europe
Loneliness and social isolation have become increasingly significant issues across Europe. Demographic shifts, urbanization, and growing digitalization have all contributed to these challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these problems by limiting opportunities for face-to-face interaction and intensifying social distancing. As a result, loneliness is now affecting not only older adults but also younger generations, leading to severe health and social repercussions. Addressing these challenges has therefore become a key social policy focus for many European countries.
The LONELY-EU project aims to identify effective strategies and support policy interventions that reduce the impact of social isolation and loneliness (SIL). This initiative seeks to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, exchange of best practices, and build networks among stakeholders who are committed to reducing SIL. One of the main objectives is to equip policymakers with evidence-based strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of SIL at different administrative levels, from local communities to the broader EU context.
Project Structure
The LONELY-EU consortium integrates scientific expertise and practical experience from multiple EU countries to combat SIL. The project is organized around three core pillars:
- Empirical Pillar – Leveraging advanced statistical methodologies, this pillar analyzes existing data and creates a dynamic, open-access map that highlights the socio-economic causes and effects of SIL.
- The Policy Foundation Pillar – Building on the findings from the Empirical Pillar, this component focuses on developing a European Social Isolation and Loneliness (SIL) Index and a comprehensive framework for monitoring SIL across the EU. It will provide evidence-based recommendations for preventing and monitoring SIL.
- Networking and Dissemination Pillar – Aims to build SIL Network Europe, bringing together stakeholders from across the EU under the patronage of European Parliament Vice-President Evelyn Regner and North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst. The focus is on maximizing the project's impact by fostering social cohesion and resilience through collaboration.
International Collaboration
The LONELY-EU project is being implemented by a consortium of leading institutions, including:
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany – Project Coordinator
- Stichting VU, The Netherlands – Partner
- Annecy Behavioral Science Lab, France – Partner
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy – Partner
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy – Partner
- Fioti, The Netherlands – Partner
The project's total budget is nearly EUR 3 million, with SWPS University receiving EUR 277,000 for their contributions.
Project manager representing SWPS University:
Katarzyna Growiec
Ph.D. / Assistant Professor
Social psychologist focused on how personality shapes social capital and trust. Her research explores the evolution of Homo sapiens and the development of social relationships, tracing their journey from the Stone Age to the present day. She investigates the links between social capital, psychological well-being, and overall welfare, with her findings featured in respected international journals, including the Journal of Happiness Studies, Social Indicators Research, European Societies, and the Journal of Youth Studies.