Finalizing Our WP2 Deliverable: Why Researching “End Education” Matters

We are proud to share that our WP2 Deliverable – Research of Practices on End Education is now complete. This marks an important step in the One Life Many Ends (O.L.M.E.) project, which is all about helping young people face one of the most universal – yet least discussed – aspects of life: endings.

Why We Did This Work

Every young person experiences “endings” – moving to a new school, the breakup of a first relationship, leaving home, or the loss of a loved one. These transitions are not only emotional but can deeply shape identity, resilience, and mental health. Yet in most societies, and especially in schools, we rarely prepare adolescents to talk about or process these moments.

That silence leaves many young people feeling isolated, confused, or overwhelmed. Our research set out to understand how this looks in different countries, and to explore ways education and youth work can do better.

What We Learned

Across Italy, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia, we found common threads:

• Endings are often taboo – adults struggle to talk about pain, loss, or death with adolescents.

• Support systems matter – family and friends are the first place young people turn, but schools and communities often lack the tools to respond.

• Cultural context shapes the experience – from Italy’s strong family ties, to the Netherlands’ culture of openness, to North Macedonia’s challenges of unemployment and rural isolation, endings are experienced differently but with the same intensity.

• Youth want space to be heard – through our testimonials, young people consistently expressed the need for more open conversations and support.

What this shows us is simple but powerful: endings are part of growing up, but learning how to face them together can make all the difference.

Why It Matters

This deliverable is not just a research report. It is a call to recognize that “End Education” should be part of how we prepare adolescents for life. By giving space to talk about endings, we can:

• Reduce stigma around difficult emotions.

• Help young people build resilience and empathy.

• Strengthen intergenerational dialogue.

• Create healthier school and community environments.

For us as partners, completing this research has been a way to listen – really listen – to the voices of young people and those who support them. It reminds us that change begins with acknowledging what is often left unsaid.

Looking Ahead

With this foundation, the next steps in the project will focus on transforming these insights into practical tools and approaches that educators, youth workers, and communities can use. But this deliverable has already achieved something essential: it has shined a light on the importance of endings, and on the courage of young people who shared their stories with us.