LEAD-WELL Survey

The initial phase of the project included an analytical comparison of existing Erasmus+ projects on similar topics to understand adults’ adaptation, along with an initial analysis focusing on the pandemic and post-pandemic experiences. The aim of this research was to find out what skills adults had acquired, what helped them to maintain their well-being and how they coped with challenges. The 2023 World Happiness Report, which measures subjective happiness and influencing factors such as income, social support and health, served as a contextual background and ranks the Czech Republic 18th, Slovenia 22nd and Greece 58th in the Life Expectancy Ranking (2020-2022). Despite the pandemic, the Global Life Expectancy Ranking showed remarkable resilience in 2020-2022, and prosocial behaviour remained common, indicating the importance of social resilience and social support. Several projects, such as WELLy, Reintegrate Wellbeing and Mental Health Awareness, were analysed, providing insights into workplace well-being, burnout reintegration and mental health coping strategies.

Country-specific survey results revealed different perspectives on well-being and skills development. In the Czech Republic, respondents extensively learned digital skills (e.g. using MS Teams, Zoom) and organisational skills for work during the pandemic, along with stress management and critical thinking about false information in their personal lives. After the pandemic, these work skills were largely maintained, but there was a significant decline in the use of digital tools for personal communication in favour of face-to-face meetings. In Greece, digital skills for work and health skills (e.g. managing health anxiety, physical activity) developed significantly, with artistic skills (sketch, illustration) also emerging as a coping mechanism for personal stress. While digital communication remains important, there is a recognised balance between face-to-face contact and digital interaction. In Slovenia, digital skills were key for work, and skills for improving health and physical activity were essential for personal needs. However, a significant proportion of respondents reported that they had not learned many new skills or had used digital communication less in their personal lives after the pandemic, prioritizing face-to-face contact and time spent in nature. In all three countries, the strongest motivators for learning new skills were work, family and personal development. 

Based on these findings, the report provides specific recommendations for each partner country to support well-being and adaptation. The Czech Republic should focus on supporting digital skills and technology, improving the flexibility of the work environment and expanding mental health support. Slovenia’s recommendations include supporting face-to-face contacts and social activities, investing in health and physical activity, and providing education on stress and time management. Greece is advised to develop artistic and creative skills, integrate digital learning into everyday life and support personal and professional development. Overall, the study highlights a universal digital transformation, a consistent focus on health and well-being (although methods have varied since the pandemic), and a strong return to a preference for in-person social interaction after the pandemic. The conclusion highlights the importance of adaptability, emotional resilience, and technological literacy as key attributes for coping with modern life, along with the need for robust community and professional support structures to assist individuals during crises.