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

Tampere / Helsinki

31 March 2025 - 11 April 2025

  * Registrations now open *  

Registration will be open until Sunday, 24 November 2024 (closes midnight CET)

Preference in the selection will now be given to Educators, schoolteachers, pedagogues, Social workers from various community settings and Professionals working in prisons and juvenile detention centres, in order to fulfill the project objectives.
We highly encourage professional from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden to apply. 

Overview

Valo-Valmennusyhdistys ry is a non-profit, is a national association improving access to learning, employment, wellbeing and participation in the society.

It's mission is to support, guide and train some of the most vulnerable members of the society to reach good, ordinary life, where their goals in areas of health and wellbeing, employment, housing and family/friends have been achieved.

They continuously evaluate and develop our practices, using applied research as a basis.  They develop and distribute new ways of working that support people in vulnerable groups.

Valo-Valmennusyhdistys currently works in Tampere, Sastamala, Turku, Rauma, Pori and Helsinki.

Details

DATES (1st wave)

The programme will be held during one period accommodating groups of 3 x 25 participants. The three groups will be spread across Helsinki and Tampere:

31 March – 11 April 2025

A second wave will take place from May 2026, with registration opening in spring 2026.

PARTICIPANTS

• Mental health professionals from within the medical system and community-based care.
• Educators, schoolteachers, pedagogues.
• Social workers from various community settings.
• Professionals working in prisons and juvenile detention centres.
• Policymakers.
• Professionals providing education in mental health.
• Service user organizations involved in mental health advocacy.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants will undergo a thorough selection process based on the following criteria. Details on the evaluation can be found here: Participants Evaluation Grid

Important Information

If you applied for more than one host country, please remember that you will only be selected for one country, due to the high number of applications. If you already received a place in another exchange country and joined that programme, we cannot offer you a new place. This is to give more people the chance to join our exchange programmes.

Applicants can expect to receive a response within three weeks after registration closure.
Please also remember to check in your Spam folder!

If selected, you will be asked to do enter more details, as a second step for registration. Please make sure to do so within 1 week of confirmation, otherwise we will have to give your seat to another applicant. 

1. Country of Residence:
   The exchange programme is open to participants (regardless of their nationality) whose country of residence is either one of the 27 EU Member States, or Norway or Iceland. A total of 150 participants will be selected, with quotas assigned to sending countries based on their population size and active engagement in the mental health sector.
    
2. Level of Experience:
   We value candidates with a minimum of 2 years' experience in the field, though we also consider those with less experience.
    
3. English Proficiency Requirement:
   Language of the exchange visits will be English. Candidates must possess a minimum proficiency in English, equivalent to at least the B1 level.
    
4. Motivation/Attitude:
   Applicants should provide clear and well-structured motivation letters, demonstrating understanding of the program's objectives and a strong commitment to their professional growth.
    
5. Affiliation with Exchange Hosting Organisations:
   If you are affiliated with any Exchange hosting organisation, you will receive priority consideration for participation in our programme.

YOUR ROLE & CONTRIBUTION

Before the Visit:

• Coordinate your trip details with the EU-PROMENS project team.
• Familiarise with the participant pack provided upon confirmation.

During the Visit:

• Receive an introduction to the local context and best and promising practices.
• Engage in group dynamics, interactive learning and solution-building.
• Participate in the conclusive workshop and certification ceremony.
• Engage with a dedicated local hub group facilitator.

After the Visit:

• Fill in the programme evaluation form and participants' report.
• Further engage with your new peers on EU-PROMENS Community of Practice.
• If you want apply for the upcoming EU-PROMENS Training Programme in your country of residence.