Campus EHUNtzen is a research project aimed at preventing and reducing loneliness among young people, using the Gipuzkoa Campus of the University of the Basque Country (EHU) as a living laboratory for innovation. The project is being carried out by a multidisciplinary research team in collaboration with the Donostia/San Sebastián City Council. It combines participatory methodologies, social and environmental analysis, and the activation of campus spaces to explore how the built environment can foster social interaction, a sense of belonging, and student well-being. The research includes diagnosing youth loneliness, designing and implementing pilot interventions, and evaluating their impact, with the aim of developing tools and recommendations that can be transferred to other universities and public administrations. The project is framed within the HARIAK Strategy and promotes an innovative, evidence-based, and scalable model that can be replicated in other contexts.

Research staff

Lead researcher: Olatz Irulegi Garmendia (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)

• Maider Ugartemendia Yerobi (Department of Nursing II)
• Laura Vozmediano Sanz (Department of Social Psychology - CRIM-AP. Criminología aplicada y psicología ambiental)
• Alexander Mendiburu Alberro (Department of Computer Architecture and Technology - Intelligent Systems Group)
• Saioa Telletxea (Department of Social Psychology - ERRONKA. Investigación en Actividad Físico-Deportiva Educativa Saludable y Sostenible)
• Jone Aliri Lazcano (Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and Research Methodology - QUALIKER)
• Olaia Larruskain Mandiola (Department of Social Psychology - CCE Cultura Cognición y Emoción)
• Gorka Moreno Márquez (Department of Sociology and Social Work - OPIK. Determinantes sociales de la salud y Cambio demográfico)
• Urtza Uriarte Otazua (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)
• Olatz Grijalba Aseguinolaza (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)
• Izaskun Aseguinolaza Braga (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)
• Alex Mitxelena Etxeberria (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)
• Rufino Hernández Minguillón (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)
• Claudia Pennese (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)
• Miriam Varela Alonso (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)
• Antonio Serra (Department of Architecture - CAVIAR Group)
• Ibone Ametzaga Arregi (Department of Plant Biology and Ecology - Evaluación del Capital Natural)
• Zaloa Azkorra Larrinaga (Department of Energy Engineering - ENEDI Energética en la Edificación)

Other project information

• Locator: IK-26-001
• Year: 2026
• Keywords: Loneliness, Youth, Meaningful connections, Community-based interventions, Impact evaluation
• Program name: Adinberri – Hariak (2026), Impulso de ecosistemas locales orientados a la prevención y el abordaje de la soledad no deseada. Línea 3: Proyectos tractores para las situaciones de soledad no deseada.
• Project type: Proyecto de I+D+i financiado en convocatoria competitiva
• Funding entity: Departamento de Cuidados y Políticas Sociales de la Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
• Start date: 2026-01-01
• Duration: 2027-01-31
• Total amount: 46.875 €
• Amount subsidized: 37.600 €