European Public Health Challenges Completed

Healthy lifestyle of children and youth

Ministry of Health, Department of Investment Evaluation ·Poland

€5m

Grant awarded

Health

Programme

23 July 2020

Signed

About this project

The project aims to promote the wellbeing and healthy lifestyle of children and youth, focusing on deprived areas, emphasising three key components, 1) nutrition and sport, 2) substance abuse and 3) mental health. In the field of nutrition and sport, the project includes, inter alia, the following activities: <ul> <li>Training programme on choosing healthy options in kindergartens and nurseries (including culinary workshops, sports activities, family picnics, etc.) </li> <li>Promotion of sports activities for children, youth and their parents</li> <li>Preparation of promotional and educational materials on healthy lifestyle </li> <li>Purchase of some small equipment like sports items, promotional and educational tools disseminated among children </li> <li>Education for caretakers (parents, caretakers in nurseries and kindergartens, sports trainers)</li> </ul> In the field of substance abuse the project includes, inter alia, the following activities: <ul> <li>Research to identify factors that contribute to the initiation of tobacco use by teenagers and youth and determine how to address tobacco affordability </li> <li>Preparation of promotional and educational materials on healthy lifestyle </li> <li>A nationwide anti-tobacco campaign addressed to youth  </li> </ul> The mental health component will include inter alia: <ul> <li>Report on selection of target group </li> <li>Training for school staff, parents and carers on mental health problems of youth </li> <li>Workshops with psychologists, parents and teachers on how to help teenagers with mental health problems</li> <li>Elaboration of informational materials on methods of seeking help for disturbed children and youth </li> <li>Provision of an internet portal (website) on mental health containing e-learning courses, schooling materials for teachers and careers and informational materials for youth.</li> </ul>

Bilateral cooperation results

Bilateral cooperation is an added value of the project. The Project Promoter held weekly meetings with its partners and also went on study visits to Norway to familiarize themselves with the Norwegian education system. The main task of the Norwegian Partner was to prepare and submit a report on best practices in the area of improving nutrition, nutritional status and mental activity of the population, in particular children. Within modules 1 and 3, the Norwegian partner conducted almost the same activities for young people as in Poland, i.e. sports and healthy diet classes in schools and kindergartens, and also provided psychological support for older young people. Within module 2, reports on tobacco abuse among young people were prepared, comparing both countries. Thanks to this cooperation, it was possible to reduce the number of young people declaring smoking cigarettes. Bilateral cooperation enabled the exchange of knowledge and good practices. Partners held talks on further cooperation within other projects or financial resources.

Project partners

Trøndelag Region Donor project partner· Norway
Norwegian Cancer Society Donor project partner· Norway

Poland country profile Other projects in this programme Project website