OU secures EU funding for youth mental health initiative

The Open University (OU) in Ireland, in partnership with the Institute of Educational Technology (IET), has been awarded funding for the Peace of Mind project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This new European Union funding initiative, managed by the SEUPB, aims to foster peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, building on the legacy of the previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes.

Focusing on youth mental health and wellbeing, the Peace of Mind project addresses the critical mental health challenges faced by young people in a region still grappling with the intergenerational trauma stemming from the Troubles. The project is a cross-community, cross-border initiative delivered in partnership with Verbal, the Cedar Foundation, Inspire Wellbeing, and The Open University.

The total project investment of €7.72 million includes €1.024 million allocated to The Open University. The OU's key role involves co-designing and co-producing learning tools and evaluation methods with young people, leveraging the innovative nQuire platform to enhance the project's reach and impact.

Co-creation and evaluation at the core

A hallmark of the Peace of Mind project is its commitment to co-production and Design-Based Research (DBR). The Open University will lead this iterative evaluation process, ensuring that the programme evolves in response to the specific mental health needs of young people. Quarterly meetings of a Youth Advisory Assembly will provide an essential platform for young participants to guide and shape the initiative. Together, these organisations aim to tackle the shared challenge of intergenerational trauma in a way that fosters understanding, resilience, and empowerment among young people on both sides of the border.

Potential outcomes

The Peace of Mind project started in July 2024 and will run until March 2028 and aims to deliver a series of impactful outcomes, including enhanced mental health resources for young people, improved community cohesion, and a scalable framework for addressing youth mental health that can be replicated in other regions.

A shared vision for a brighter future

Commenting on the success of the bid, John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland said: "The Open University is delighted to partner with Verbal, Inspire and The Cedar Foundation on this innovative Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing project funded by PeacePlus. The Peace of Mind project is both timely and much needed with a strong collaborative focus on empowering young minds and building resilience. The university looks forward to impacting positively the lives of young people along with our partners and the Special EU Programmes Body

This funding represents a significant opportunity to shape the youth mental health landscape in Northern Ireland and the border counties. The Peace of Mind project is a strong collaboration focusing on empowering young minds and building resilience, by delivering an innovative and openly young person-led programme.