Social and Emotional Learning

Launched in 2021, the SEL initiative is based on research in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, education, economics, and sociology. Studies indicate that a key factor in promoting social mobility is the ability of children and youth to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in ways that enable them to succeed in school, relationships with peers and adults at work, and in their personal lives.

The initiative is developing practical SEL knowledge through five partnerships. Each partnership includes a comprehensive multi-year SEL intervention addressing local issues with a variety of tools. These include development, implementation and evaluation processes carried out jointly with local authorities, Third Sector, educational and local organisations. The SEL initiative is underway in Nahariya, Maghar, Baqa al-Gharbiyye, Bnei Brak and Ganei Tikva – municipalities with diverse demographic, cultural and socio-economic markers – so as to extend learning across a broad spectrum of Israeli society. SEL HQ, established in 2022, works in coordination with the Ministry of Education and supports these partnerships in order to deepen the impact of their activities and draw lessons from the field.