Significant funding of 4.4 million euros to promote the well-being of young people in Europe

The European Commission has granted EUR 4.4 million in funding for the Supporting the Mental Health of Youth in Education, Training and Work – SUPPORT-Y project of the University of Eastern Finland. The project is coordinated by Assistant Professor of Special Education Kaisa Pihlainen. The funding is highly sought after.

The project aims to promote the well-being of young people by developing their mental health literacy and by increasing their social inclusion through various research and innovation activities. Previous studies have identified well-being gaps between young people and young people feeling that they are not being heard in decision-making. For this reason, the project also produces materials and tools that support evidence-based decision-making and help develop practices in education, training and work environments.

The research and innovation activities are targeted at young people in basic education, upper secondary education, higher education, and workplaces. According to Pihlainen, it is key that the diversity of young people is taken into account and that young people actively participate in the project activities.

"I look forward to working together with young people and with the entire consortium." The consortium includes an extensive multidisciplinary and multinational representation of research organisations and NGOs.

The project partners are Luovi Vocational College from Finland, University of York and Durham University from the United Kingdom, University Beira Interior from Portugal, University from Malta, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga from Latvia, University Hospital of Cologne from Germany, Institute for Workplace Health Promotion from Germany, Youth in Science and Business Foundation from Estonia, Mental Health Europe from Belgium, and European Youth Press from Germany. 

In addition to the University of Eastern Finland, six vocational education providers are also participating in Finland's part of the project. 

The project will start on 1 September 2026, and it will last for 60 months. The project is funded by the Horizon Europe programme of the European Commission.