From the Adriatic coast to the Isonzo valley, from the Karst plateau to the institutions: a pioneering study launches into the link between climate change and mental health
Fear for the future, a sense of helplessness in the face of extreme events, growing anxiety about the planet: it is called eco-anxiety, and it is affecting an ever-increasing number of people. Now, for the first time in the cross-border area between Italy and Slovenia, it becomes the subject of an in-depth scientific study.
It is the Unione Italiana (UI) — partner PP2 and WP1 coordinator within the European project RE-ACTIVE — that is leading this comparative research on eco-anxiety and resilience, covering coastal municipalities, the Isonzo valley and the Karst region. Since February 2026, the UI has been working in co-design with the Institute for Social Research (IRS), selected through a public procurement process to conduct the study.
At the heart of the project: the development of a questionnaire to be administered to a representative sample of the local population, accompanied by interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders — local authorities, associations and community groups. Research that does not overlook the specificities of the context: the cultural and linguistic differences between the two countries and the climate events that have already left their mark on these territories.
But RE-ACTIVE also looks to training. In parallel, the UI is collaborating with partner PiNA to develop a theoretical and methodological contribution on eco-anxiety within the Academy of Participation, a professional development tool aimed at public officials across the cross-border area. Also in preparation are two practical tools for local communities: a bilingual Resilience Kit and bilingual Guidelines for Sustainable and Inclusive Events.
The message is clear: understanding eco-anxiety is the first step towards building more resilient communities, capable of facing climate challenges with awareness and concrete tools.
The RE-ACTIVE project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia Programme.
