Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West Europe

Date of latest update: 2026-01-12

Description

Description (EN):

Adolescent users of mental health services are a highly vulnerable population: depression, anxiety, behavioural disorders, addictions, etc. are all pathologies that mental health professionals have to deal with. In NWE, 17.5% of young people aged suffer from mental health problems. This particularly fragile population requires appropriate care and accessible, innovative therapies to support recovery, at a time when mental health services dedicated to teenagers are saturated. Research has shown promising results for therapies based on immersion in the forest, particularly with regard to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Taking advantage of the NWE region's 20%+ woodland, the project intends to exploit the potential of these natural spaces for the benefit of adolescent mental health users. These promising therapies are not yet being implemented in NWE. The project aims to expand the utilisation of forest areas as a therapeutic resource for teenagers targeted, emphasising the accessibility and recovery-oriented aspects. The innovation aspect lies into the strong joint collaboration between both mental health and forest sector to develop this approach. By integrating forest-based therapies into mental health care facilities and encouraging their adoption, the project aims to provide holistic support to young people struggling with mental health issues, taking advantage of the transnational approach to ensure a wide accessibility to the solutions developed by the partnership. The outcomes are: - a joint synthesis of the forest-based initiatives and research experiences at the benefit of teenagers facing mental health issues - a joint care protocol integrating both real and VR forest experiences - implementation of 8 pilot therapeutic forests in NWE countries and of pilot VR immersive forest-based activities - implementation of pilot actions targeting 400 teenagers facing mental health issues - development of guidelines for public authorities, foresters and mental health professionals - development of tailor-made training framework for mental health professionals and foresters - implementation of 5 reference centres to ensure sustainability of the outcomes of the project. From the very beginning of the project's implementation, the entire process will involve input and feedback from the adolescents targeted, their families, mental health and forestry professionals, public authorities, and experts. This will be facilitated through Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and local focus groups to ensure diverse perspectives are integrated.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During this reporting period, the consortium has started the collaboration in a very dynamic and smooth manner. Partners started recruiting staff, mobilizing internal ressources and reaching out the external stakeholders to set the grounds for the projet implementation. - Project internal communication was initiated through Slack and a google shared drive; - The Programme manual was presented to partners at the INTERREG seminars in Lille and subsequent webinars; - The Kick-off meeting took place in Lille in March 2025 ; - During the kick-off meeting, discussions about a rapid start in implementation took place and led to a project modification to reflect the necessary changes; - The elements related to project governance were set up (steering committee meetings (1x/month), WP meetings (1x/month), communication strategy meetings (2x/year at the beginning of each reporting period) ; - PM tools (Deliverable template, Gantt chart, deliverables index, Risk log, partners contact list, project summary) were created and shared ; - Partners started using the branding kit provided by the Lead Partner (poster, flyer, ...) ; - Partners followed "5.9.6 EU rules projects must comply with" with ref to programme manual: - Project communication channels (Linkedin, project website) were launched and partners started to contribute ; - A press release was written and shared for translation and dissemination to enhance visibility; - A strategy was developped to mobilize Associated Partners and first contacts have been made with the various organization; - Partners set up their Jems accounts, contracted an approved controller where necessary, contacted other controllers and attended specific seminars when necessary ; - Partners undertook their first report cycle (report 1.1) except for Partner 9 EPSM Marne who will be reporting in report 1.2. Besides, Partner 5 AEA submitted a report but could not complete his cycle in time. Both French partners will receive additional support from the LP for the next reporting cycle. The Workplan was implemented according to the expected, taking into consideration the change included in the project modification.

Project outputs: Joint strategy to implement forest-based therapy targeting adolescents (12-18) users of mental health services in NWE(EN)
Forest-based Therapeutic Protocol implemented and tested in NWE(EN)
Therapeutic forests implemented and tested in NWE(EN)
Reference centre on Forest-based Therapy for adolescents(EN)
Joint training scheme targeting both sectors(EN)
Website: http://forest4youth.nweurope.eu

Thematic information

Health and social services Social inclusion and equal opportunities Agriculture and fisheries and forestry

Priority: (VI-B_NWE_5) Transition towards a socially inclusive and resilient society

Priority specific objective: RSO4.5. Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems, including primary care, and promoting the transition from institutional to family-based and community-based care

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 160 Measures to improve the accessibility, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems (excluding infrastructure)

Partners (9)

Lead Partner: Oeuvres des Frères de la Charité - Centre Neuro-Psychiatrique Saint-Martin

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 947409089

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0465.122.819

Address: Rue Saint Hubert, 5100 Namur, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Hospitals and medical centres

Website: https://cp-st-martin.be/

Total budget: EUR 871 060.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 522 636.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 348 424.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Etablissement public de santé mentale de la Marne

Name: Etablissement public de santé mentale de la Marne

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR39 265 109 157

Address: Chemin de Bouy, 51000 Châlons-en-Champgne, France

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Hospitals and medical centres

Website: https://www.epsm-marne.fr/

Total budget: EUR 605 763.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 363 457.92

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 242 305.28

Université libre de Bruxelles

Name: Université libre de Bruxelles

Department: Faculté des Sciences et de la Motricité Humaine

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999986290

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0407.626.464

Address: Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium

Department address: Route de Lennik, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.ulb.be/

Total budget: EUR 486 100.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 291 660.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 194 440.00

Landesforst MV- Waldservice und Energie GmbH

Name: Landesforst MV- Waldservice und Energie GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE292353715 | OID: E10349809 (EN)

Address: Am Wiesengrund , 18276 Mühl Rosin, Germany

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://www.wald-mv.de/landesforst-mv/struktur-und-organisation/waldservice-und-energie-gmbh/

Total budget: EUR 279 160.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 167 496.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 111 664.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Bruxelles Environnement - Forêt et Nature

Name: Bruxelles Environnement - Forêt et Nature

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0236.916.956 | OID: E10363373 (EN)

Address: Avenue du Port, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://environnement.brussels/

Total budget: EUR 565 032.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 339 019.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 226 012.80

Association Elan Argonnais

Name: Association Elan Argonnais

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR37775612849

Address: Rue Gaillot Aubert, 51800 Sainte Ménéhould, France

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Hospitals and medical centres

Website: http://www.elan-argonnais.fr/

Total budget: EUR 545 163.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 327 097.92

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 218 065.28

Société Royale Forestière de Belgique

Name: Société Royale Forestière de Belgique

Department: Siège d'exploitation en Wallonie

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0408.558.654

Address: Boulevard Bischoffsheim, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Department address: Chaussée de Namur, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.srfb.be/

Total budget: EUR 572 065.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 343 239.36

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 228 826.24

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

The Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland - Centre for Positive Health Sciences

Name: The Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland - Centre for Positive Health Sciences

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999867368

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CHY 1277

Address: St Stephen's Green, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.rcsi.com

Total budget: EUR 780 739.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 468 443.88

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 312 295.92

UNature asbl

Name: UNature asbl

Partner’s ID if not PIC: F13203

Address: Waistrooss, 5445 Schengen, Luxembourg

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.unature.org/

Total budget: EUR 832 996.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 499 797.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 333 198.40

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Public Mental Health Institution in the Marne

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Partners and Projects info

Free University of Brussels (ULB)

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Partners and Projects info

Forest service and energy GmbH

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Partners and Projects info

Brussels Environment - Forest and Nature

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Partners and Projects info

Elan Argonnais Association

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Partners and Projects info

Royal Forestry Society of Belgium

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Partners and Projects info

The Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland - Centre for Positive Health Sciences

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Partners and Projects info

UNature

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Partners and Projects info

Oeuvres des Frères de la Charité - St Martin Neuropsychiatric Centre

Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Operation of strategic importance (OSI) or above EUR 5 million

Project name (EN): Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Project acronym: Forest4Youth

Project ID: NWE0400643

Project start date: 2025-01-01

Project end date: 2028-12-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

NATURELAB - Nature based intervention for improving well-being (Horizon Europe, 2023-2027) (EN) | NATURELAB is a Horizon Europe funded project that aim to explore the potential of nature-based interventions for improving health and well-being of the general public.
NATURELAB seeks to foster awareness and use of green and blue infrastructures as care providers, exploring the potential of nature-based therapies (NBT) and their uptake by the public healthcare sector. Through an integrative and innovative approach, it aims to develop validated NBT programmes tailored to individual's needs with a focus on health prevention and rehabilitation.
By leveraging the multiple benefits of natural areas, such as climate resilience and biodiversity promotion, NATURELAB integrates Health and Societal Pillars, ensuring holistic and sustainable urban development. Collaborating with stakeholders and communities, it intends to enhance well-being and sustainability across rural, coastal, and urban regions.
Even if the project is more prevention-oriented, the outcomes of the research of this project will support the implementation of WP1, allowing a transfer of knowledge. On top of that, the outcomes of WP2 of the NATURELAB project "Design, implementation and validation of nature-based therapies" will inspire our own WP2 work.
Two of our associated partners are full partners in this project: BioCon Valley and Forest Therapy Hub, helping creating bridges and exchange of knowledge between both projects.
We will be communicating regularly with the NATURELAB project partners in order to pass on and share the results of the Forest4Youth project. Both teams will be invited to future dissemination and networking events organised in the framework of the project. (EN), DR FOREST - Research on how diversity of forests affects our health and well-being (Biodiversa, 2020-2023) (EN) | The Dr Forest project is a research project integrating partners from many NWE countries (Germany, Belgium, France), cooperating with Austrian and Polish research partners.
The main aim of this project is to better combine biodiversity conservation with ecosystem management that supports human health and well-being. The outcomes of the project are mainly the quantification of the impacts of forest biodiversity on human health.
The Forest4Youth project will therefore use the outcomes of the research activities to implement evidence-based therapeutic forests, by taking into account the characteristics identified in the development of the guidelines for therapeutic forests (WP1). (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 5 538 079.80

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 3 322 847.88

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 60.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 3 322 847.88. Co-financing rate, 60.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Forest-based treatments for adolescents: a comprehensive report on existing practices
Brief practice-friendly guide for psychiatrists
Policy brief for psychiatric institutions, environmental agencies, governments
Academic publications
Forest-based Care Protocol for adolescents with mental health conditions
PPI group report
Guidance document for professionals
Report on VR in Forest Therapy for Adolescents with Psychiatric Disorder
VR Forest-based protocol framework
Therapeutic forest framework for adolescents with mental health conditions
Forest-based Care Protocol for adolescents with psychiatric condition: Summary of the joint strategy
Communication strategy
4 local focus groups
Assessment grid
Local focus groups: a joint report
Clinical eligibility framework for forest-based therapy
Implementation of trials of forest-based therapies: implementation report
Joint method to select forest sites suitable for therapeutic purposes
Certification framework
Identification of 8 forest sites to implement pilot protocol
Recommandations for setting up therapeutic forests in NWE countries
Clinical conditions report for VR eligibility
Implementation of a pilot VR-based protocol for adolescents with mental health conditions.
VR and real forest comparative study
Design of VR natural environments specific to the project
Medium- and long-term impact of Forest-Based Therapy
Evaluation and guide for psychiatrists
Policy brief
Implementation of 4 study visits
Reports from 4 study visits of pilot territories
Reference centre implementation plan
Pilot reference centres
Report on training needs
Joint training curriculum targeting mental health professionals and foresters
Implementation of pilot trainings with mix groups of foresters and health professionals
Implementation of training sessions of trainers
Training workshops
Teaching platform
Forest-based Protocol: a Technical guide
Advocacy document: tailored guidelines for policy makers
Policy forums
2 Press releases
8 Newsletters
1 LinkedIn Account
8 Information billboards
1 Transnational mid-term conference in Ireland
1 Transnational final conference in Belgium
5 Regional workshops
1 annual newsletter for Luxembourg stakeholders

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 085 - Participations in joint training schemes, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 081 - Completions of joint training schemes, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

PSR 1: Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: Organisations

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North West Europe

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-05

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

70 / 70 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

753 / 753 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Forest-Based Therapies for Adolescent Mental Health Recovery in North-West Europe

Description

Thematic information

Partners (9)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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