research education and research policy

REAL Talk

REAL Talk is a transnational initiative in Poland, Italy, and Estonia preventing gender-based and cyber gender-based violence among adolescents aged 11–16. Through culturally responsive socio-emotional education, participatory workshops, caregiver engagement, and practitioner training, the project promotes healthy relationships, consent, digital safety, and long-term behavioural and policy change aligned with EU values.

Project duration:

March 2026 – February 2028 (24 months)

Budget:

EUR 523 787,29

Funder:

European Commission Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV-DAPHNE)

Key outputs of REAL Talk include:
  • A Cross-Cultural Socio-Emotional and Relational Education Model for adolescents
  • Participatory workshops on consent, healthy relationships, emotional literacy, and digital safety
  • Research on online masculinity norms and influencers affecting adolescent boys
  • Aware Fatherhood workshops for male caregivers
  • Training programmes for school staff and informal education practitioners
  • Peer mentoring and community-based prevention activities
  • Policy recommendations and advocacy initiatives informed by adolescents’ voices
  • Cross-country collaboration tools and resources supporting long-term GBV and CGBV prevention

University of Tartu is responsible for research activities and facilitating different workshops for youth, caregivers, fathers, and educators.

IRC Italy (lead partner)
IRC Poland
Stichting International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI), Netherlands
Una Casa per l'Uomo (UCPU), Italy

CASS members with the project

Mari Puniste

Project Manager

Triin Taal

DV Expert/Analyst

Leena Leetmaa

Analyst

CASS project contact:
Mari Puniste
MA (rahvusvahelised suhted)
Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
The Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS)
Project Manager
Lossi 36–418