MINDtheYOUTH is a two-year Erasmus+ project (05/2021–04/2023) focused on promoting well-being through mindfulness-based methods in youth work. The project supports youth workers in developing practical mindfulness skills and competencies, empowering them to integrate mindfulness into their daily work with young people.
The project is a collaboration between partners in four countries:
- Finland – Sosped Foundation
- Lithuania – Education, Research & Consultancy Center (ERCC)
- Cyprus – STANDO LT
- Denmark – Aalborg University
Innovative Training Tools for Youth Workers
Together, the partners have co-developed a comprehensive mindfulness training package designed specifically for the youth work context. The training package includes:
- A structured mindfulness curriculum tailored for youth workers
- A VR-based application offering an immersive virtual mindfulness experience
- A practical handbook to support implementation of the curriculum and app in real-world youth settings
All materials are freely available and translated into multiple languages. The training package will remain accessible online at mindtheyouth.eu beyond the project’s completion.
Why Mindfulness? Why Now?
Mindfulness is a research-backed approach known to support mental health, emotional regulation, and resilience—skills increasingly vital for young people today. However, many youth workers report lacking the confidence or training to introduce mindfulness in their practice.
MINDtheYOUTH bridges this gap by offering tools that are both evidence-based and practical. The project also raises awareness of the value of high-quality, innovative youth work, and helps professionals recognize the impact of their role.
Youth-Centered, Practice-Based Development
The training tools were developed in close collaboration with youth workers and young people through interviews, workshops, and retreats held in each partner country. Their insights directly shaped the content and design of both the curriculum and the VR app—ensuring the tools meet real-world needs and are accessible across cultures.
Bringing VR into Youth Work
The MINDtheYOUTH VR application serves as an interactive learning environment, offering users guided mindfulness exercises in a virtual space. The design and usability of the app were influenced by direct input from youth professionals and young people—those who will ultimately use it.
VR represents an exciting and emerging field within social and health care work, and this project demonstrates its potential as a tool for inclusion, engagement, and emotional learning.
Building Cross-Border Collaboration
MINDtheYOUTH is more than just a training initiative—it’s a platform for international knowledge exchange. For Finland, Lithuania, Cyprus, and Denmark, the project offered valuable opportunities to learn from one another, develop shared solutions, and promote the broader adoption of mindfulness in youth services across Europe.
Learn More and Explore the Tools
🔹 Visit the project website: www.mindtheyouth.eu
🔹 Download the free VR application: