How do we recognise our emotions, respond to stress, and understand the feelings of others?

As part of the SAVE – Speak Out Against Violence project, the Council of Refugee Women in Bulgaria (CRWB) conducted two group sessions involving six unaccompanied refugee children at the Safe Zone of the Registration and Reception Centre in Harmanli.

During the sessions, participants explored different emotions, the body’s responses to stress, and ways of managing difficult feelings. Through games, creative activities, and discussions, children reflected on the difference between emotions they express and those they keep to themselves. They also discussed activities that bring them comfort, such as sports, music, drawing, and spending time with friends.

Recognising and expressing emotions is particularly important for unaccompanied refugee children, who often face uncertainty, change, and challenges in adapting to a new environment. Developing empathy and stress-management skills supports communication, trust, and positive relationships.

Through these activities, CRWB creates a supportive environment where children can express themselves, better understand their experiences, and develop emotional resilience.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s CERV programme under Grant Agreement No 101138279, the Daphne-CHILD programme with Eurochild and Terre des hommes.

Eurochild plays a leading role in the project. For more information, visit: https://eurochild.org/.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.