Here you can find the results of the study evaluating the impact of the ARISE project created with the intention to support the education of disadvantaged learners through influencing the school climate and student well-being, hoping to reduce inequalities in education.

The aim of the study was to verify whether the project activities implemented in schools involved in the ARISE project could mitigate the impact of poverty on students' academic achievement and overall well-being, and reduce the gaps caused by differences in socioeconomic status. A total of 35 schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania were involved in the study. The impact of project activities was assessed through implementing a quasi-experimental study with two measurement points (baseline and endline) and two groups of schools: an experimental group consisting of 25 project schools and a control group involving 10 schools in which project activities were not being carried out. 

A baseline study was conducted in 2022 to assess the effect of the differences in socioeconomic status on educational outcomes and student well-being. A significant negative effect was observed, with students of lower socioeconomic status reporting lower levels of well-being and achieving lower educational outcomes.

Endline measurement was conducted immediately after the completion of project activities, in late 2023. In non-project schools, the negative relationship between socioeconomic status and well-being was reaffirmed, and significant deterioration was observed in some measured aspects of well-being. In project schools, on the other hand, it was established that the implementation of the ARISE project activities contributed to improvements in some measures of well-being and school climate, while also serving as a protective factor in preventing the deterioration of others. The positive effects of the intervention were especially noticeable in groups of students with unfavorable socioeconomic status, underlining of importance of initiatives aimed at supporting the disadvantaged.

You can read in detail about the specific effects of the ARISE initiative on various traits like the psychological well-being and life satisfaction of students, and different aspects of school climate such as bullying, teacher enthusiasm, and students' sense of belonging at school below:

The Impact of the ARISE Project on Reducing Inequalities in Education