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Exchange Programme

Embark on a professional learning journey to one of six European hubs: The Netherlands, Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland, and Austria. Selected participants will represent diverse professional profiles and levels of experience, fostering peer-to-peer learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Each will take part in an immersive two-week programme featuring study visits to service providers, reflection workshops, and job-shadowing around distinct technical themes.

Participants will gain exposure to a variety of mental health systems, national action plans, and a wide range of promising and best practices. Each hub offers unique insights into modern mental health strategies aligned with the psychosocial model—emphasising community-based prevention, recovery, inclusion, and treatment. The alignment of the programme with participants’ professional backgrounds, thematic interests, and development goals ensures meaningful collaboration, skills enhancement, and contribution to a more harmonised and resilient European mental health landscape. The focus on intersectoral cooperation and international exchange empowers participants to return to their institutions with fresh knowledge, renewed motivation, and actionable plans to improve services.

Following the successful completion of the first wave—450 professionals across 6 hubs in summer 2025—a new wave will begin in autumn 2025 with another 75 participants per hub.

Download the exchange programme flyer here.

Target Group

The mental health exchange programme targets professionals from a wide range of fields, including:

  1. Health professionals working in the mental health sector
  2. Teachers and educators in school or educational settings
  3. Social workers in various community contexts
  4. Professionals in prisons and juvenile detention centres
  5. Mental health policymakers, experts, and advisors
  6. Members of service user and lived experience organisations
  7. Trainers and mentors of students, apprentices, and staff from the above professions

Applicants may express interest in multiple hubs but can only be selected for one. Individuals who participated in the first wave are not eligible for the second wave.

Language Requirements

Participants should have at least an intermediate (B) level of English.

Timeline

The call for applications for Wave 2 of the EU-PROMENS Exchange Programme will open in summer 2025.

Below are the provisional dates for the second wave of exchange programme events:

Group THE NETHERLANDS CROATIA CZECH REPUBLIC AUSTRIA SPAIN FINLAND
1st Group 25.11 – 04.12.2025 06.10 – 17.10.2025 03.11 – 14.11.2025 26.01 – 06.02.2026 08.02 – 21.02.2026 14.04. - 23.04.2026
2nd Group 25.11 – 04.12.2025 27.10 – 07.11.2025 23.02 – 06.03.2026 13.04 – 24.04.2026 08.03 – 21.03.2026 14.04. - 23.04.2026
3rd Group 25.11 – 04.12.2025 17.11 – 28.11.2025 04.05 – 15.05.2026 08.06 – 19.06.2026 03.05 – 16.05.2026 14.04. - 23.04.2026

Expenses

All travel, accommodation, and board costs are fully covered by the project.

Watch this 3-minute video introducing the EU-PROMENS Exchange Programme — subtitles available in 22 EU languages:

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Our upcoming exchange events

Registration open: Exchange 2nd Wave Croatia

Meeting challenges of today with a multidisciplinary approach to mental health
  • eu-promens.eu
  • Registration open: Exchange 2nd Wave Croatia
    • Discover Croatia's new approaches to prevention and promotion, early intervention, treatment and reintegration in a fast evolving mental health field. During this exchange visit, special attention will be given to young people and the specific needs they have. While the visit will be hosted by the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb and many other partners across all service levels in the health and social sphere will be visited to get an impression of the full pathway of care. Visit the event page here!
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Registration open: Exchange 2nd Wave Czech Republic

Advancing Mental Health Care Reform in Czechia: Deinstitutionalization, prevention and innovation
  • eu-promens.eu
  • Registration open: Exchange 2nd Wave Czech Republic

    The multidisciplinary exchange visit is organised in partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one of the directly managed organizations of the Ministry of Health of Czechia established on January 1, 2015, by the transformation of the Prague Psychiatric Center. 

    The exchange visit will allow participants to achieve comprehensive knowledge on the underpinnings, processes and outcomes of the mental health care reform in Czechia and its successful models of deinstitutionalisation and community-based services. Participants will gain insights into new state-of-the art research and innovative therapeutic approaches including psychedelic therapy, experience the multisectoral approach in youth mental health, advocacy and education organisations, service users' organisations and media providers addressing anti-stigma nation-wide campaigns. The full circle model of success for inclusion in Czechia will be a get to know and together with its benefits and impact on the quality-of-life of all citizens. Visit event page here!

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Registration open: Exchange 2nd Wave Austria

60 years pro mente Upper Austria: de-institutionalization towards a patient-centred approach
  • eu-promens.eu
  • Registration open: Exchange 2nd Wave Austria

    The multidisciplinary exchange programme is organised in partnership with pro mente Upper Austria.

    pro mente Upper Austria provides 60 years of experience in caring and working for psychosocially disadvantaged people. With psychosocial support, in cooperation with clients and relatives, inclusion is promoted as participation in society. The aim is to enable disadvantaged people to have equal access in all areas of life.

    In the first week, participants will explore the network of Austrian community-based mental health programs within a holistic, human rights-based approach. Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, is also famous for its Kepler University and state of the art Neuromed Campus. Participants will hear a lecture at the University of Applied sciences and visit the Institute for Addiction Prevention.

    The second week deepens practical knowledge, focusing on improving patients' quality of life through prevention and reintegration programs. Participants, divided into small groups, will observe and engage with service providers and users in Vienna, gaining hands-on experience in multidisciplinary care. Visit the event page here.

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Registrations open: Exchange 2nd Wave Netherlands

Prevention, crisis resolution, treatment and recovery oriented practices in an ecosystem of (mental) health
  • eu-promens.eu
  • Registrations open: Exchange 2nd Wave Netherlands

    The multidisciplinary exchange programme is organised in partnership with the Trimbos Institute, which provides research, policy, and practice-based advice for professionals on mental health and addiction issues. A combination of workshops, lectures, discussion-groups and working visits will be offered in the main location of the program; Utrecht and other parts of the Netherlands. This event will give insights into the collaboration of a network of (mental) health providers for adults, youth and the elderly in urban and rural environments. Participants will have the chance to get informed, discuss and see successful models for community mental health, integrated (network) care and services for vulnerable groups homeless shelters and on the streets. In addition, they will experience first-hand how service providers place quality of life and well-being, resilience, strength, and support from the environment at the core of their daily work with citizens and clients.

    Visit the event page here.

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Registrations open 1st July: Exchange 2nd Wave Finland

Life-long support, promotion and prevention of mental health at different stages of life, including the provision of mental health services for people in vulnerable positions
  • eu-promens.eu
  • Registrations open 1st July: Exchange 2nd Wave Finland

    Valo-Valmennusyhdistys ry is a non-profit national association dedicated to enhancing access to learning, employment, wellbeing, and societal participation. The organisation operates across several Finnish cities, including Tampere, Sastamala, Turku, Rauma, Pori, and Helsinki.
    The association’s mission is to support, guide, and train some of the most vulnerable individuals in society, helping them achieve a good, ordinary life. This encompasses reaching personal goals in health and wellbeing, employment, housing, and relationships with family and friends.
    Valo-Valmennusyhdistys continuously evaluates and develops its practices based on applied research. The organisation innovates and shares new methods that empower people in vulnerable groups.
    Through its work, Valo-Valmennusyhdistys offers valuable insights into effective support systems and community integration for those facing social challenges, fostering resilience and wellbeing at the core of its approach.

    Visit event page here

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