Feeling You(th). Phase II: Results of the call for projects - Foundation P&V
Feeling You(th). Phase II: Results of the call for projects
Every three years, the P&V Foundation initiates a multi-year project based on a rigorous approach that combines scientific research and attentive listening to the voices of young people. This method allows us to launch calls for projects aimed at supporting innovative and impactful initiatives. For the period 2024-2026, our focus is on a crucial topic: youth mental health. Discover the winning projects, each selected for their potential to bring positive and lasting changes to improve the mental well-being of young people.
- Actions that strengthen protective factors for youth mental health (promotion),
- Initiatives that reduce risk factors for mental health problems among young people (prevention), and/or
- Methods for detecting early signs of distress in young people and intervening at an early stage (detection/early intervention).
Discover the 16 winning project by theme! The themes are linked to our "Mental Health Tree" , developed by young people and researchers during a day of reflection on mental health. This tree served as the basis and framework for our call for projects.
Physical activities, coaching and personal development
Projects within this theme use movement and coaching as tools to enhance young people’s mental well-being. Sports, adventure, and personal guidance help them build confidence, resilience, and autonomy. Through peer-to-peer support, coaching, and group dynamics, young people discover their strengths and learn to overcome challenges.
Coaching4Peace
The “Coaching4Peace” program targets young people aged 16 to 24, aiming to strengthen their talents through sports activities, training, and mentorship. The project provides all young people with access to a certified coach to help them overcome specific challenges, whether at home or in school. This personalized guidance is designed to boost their self-confidence and resilience, helping them navigate obstacles. The project thus helps unlock and appreciate the existing potential in every young participant.
Location: Brussels
La Nature et l'Aventure pour préserver et améliorer la santé mentale des jeunes (Nature and adventure to preserve and improve young people’s mental health)
The organization “D’une Cime à L’Autre” uses psychosocial intervention through nature and adventure (IPNA) as a method for therapy, prevention, and rehabilitation. The project targets vulnerable youth facing mental health issues, school dropout, or poverty. Each IPNA intervention consists of three phases and involves groups of 6 to 8 young people. The first phase in nature identifies the young people’s specific needs and strengthens group dynamics. The second phase includes a time-out and immersion stay in nature. The third phase is a day of celebration and evaluation.
Location: Vaulx (Chimay)
Next Play: preventie van risicofactoren voor mentaal welzijn via empowerment en talentontwikkeling. (Prevention of risk factors for mental well-being through empowerment and talent development)
Molenbeek Rebels Basketball vzw
The “Next Play” project uses a team role-playing game, developed by young coaches, to help girls build self-confidence and improve their mental well-being. By taking on different roles, such as “judge” (who intervenes in conflicts), “clown” (who creates a positive atmosphere), “supporter” (who encourages and compliments), or “friend” (who listens attentively), participants learn to appreciate their own qualities and those of others. The project emphasizes shared leadership and collective well-being, with a special focus on “trusted persons” who play a key role in creating a safe team atmosphere and detecting problems early.
Location: Brussels
Fostering connection, encounters and social inclusion
This theme includes initiatives that bring young people together and create a sense of belonging and inclusion. Through social interactions, group activities, and shared experiences, young people build meaningful relationships and learn to overcome loneliness and isolation. Some projects focus on encounters and community-building, while others aim to break stigmas and empower vulnerable youth by amplifying their voices.
2-gether with youth
The “2-gether with youth” project aims to (re)create social bonds, combat prejudice and discrimination, and reduce the isolation of young people aged 15 to 25. It targets both young newcomers and local youth. Through various socio-cultural workshops (such as cooking, sports activities, or writing workshops) and prevention sessions (such as confidence-building or intercultural communication), the organization strives to improve young people’s well-being by addressing the factors that influence mental health.
Location: Liège
Echos de Vie (Echoes of Life)
The “Echos de Vie” project aims to involve young people who have experienced suicidal thoughts in the joint development of prevention solutions for their peers. Under the guidance of an organization specialized in suicide prevention, a team will work on designing concrete actions to improve mental well-being and prevent suicide. Young people with lived experience will identify their own needs and those of their peers to develop awareness tools and concrete initiatives. The proposed actions can be implemented in various settings, such as schools, youth centers, or online, to reach as many young people as possible, especially those in vulnerable situations. The project emphasizes the importance of listening to young people and actively involving them in their own mental well-being.
Location: Saint-Servais (Namur)
Ont-moetingen (Encounters without pressure)
The “Ont-moetingen” project aims to strengthen the mental well-being of young adults (16-30 years old) and foster meaningful social connections. Through group discussions and specialized coaching, the team—comprising clinical psychologists and clinical educationalists—works on developing participants’ self-confidence and self-awareness. This project provides concrete tools to help them manage their daily lives and build resilience. Broeinest also creates a space where genuine friendships can form, contributing to the reduction of loneliness. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of the location ensures that participants feel “at home” and supported in their personal development.
Location: Ghent
Providing a listening ear and support in and around the school
These projects focus on strengthening the well-being of young people within and around the school context. They offer both preventive and intervention-based support, such as mental health education, confidential conversations, and strengthening activities. Some projects work directly within schools, while others also provide outreach and alternative pathways to support young people outside the school environment.
Le bien être à l'école. Projet d'accrochage. (Well-being at School. Engagement project)
The “Le bien être à l’école” project is part of an approach aimed at addressing school dropout and the sense of powerlessness reported by schools. The project team has developed a method in which these young people are met in an individual and confidential setting. Aware of its limitations in fully reintegrating these students into the school system, the team offers activities that are meaningful to them. These activities include ice skating (learning to fall and get back up), treetop climbing courses (holding on and daring to take risks), rock climbing (choosing your own path and making the right decisions), and theater and improvisation (stepping into the spotlight). These activities are organized in groups of around ten students from different schools.
Location: Tournai
Factor 9470
The “Factor 9470” project aims to protect vulnerable young people and prepare them for the harmful influences they face daily. Within the framework of education and youth work, the organization strives to empower these young people. It actively reaches out to them and builds a relationship of trust. These initiatives include a wide range of activities, from intensive programs to more relaxed moments, with the main goal of strengthening their resilience, autonomy, and informal social networks. The project focuses on prevention, early detection of signs of distress in secondary education, and promoting equal opportunities through local and supra-local initiatives.
Location: Denderleeuw
Addressing Non-suicidal self-injury and mental health problems by Training in School (ANTS)
The project “ANTS (Addressing Non-suicidal self-injury and mental health problems through Training in School)”, led by a PhD researcher from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, proposes a three-step strategy to address mental health problems in schools: (1) Universal prevention: all students receive four lessons on mental health. (2) Targeting at-risk groups: a questionnaire identifies students in four categories: no symptoms, mild symptoms, severe symptoms or acute risk. (3) Targeted support: at-risk students receive specific guidance, including emotion regulation training or crisis counseling. This integrated approach aims to prevent mental health problems while providing tailored support to each student.
Location : Brussels
Location: Brussel
Co-Creation: sharing and experimenting through art and expression
This theme highlights creative expression as a way to strengthen mental well-being. Art, music, social activism, and creative therapy provide young people with a space to share and process their emotions and experiences. By creating and experimenting together, they not only develop personal and social skills but also contribute to building a stronger community.
Art & You(th) - L’art-thérapie pour soutenir l'épanouissement et l'autonomisation de jeunes en décrochage scolaire (Art therapy to support the development and empowerment of young people who have dropped out of school)
The “Art & You(th)” project offers art therapy sessions to young people who have dropped out of school and are attending a school dropout service (SAS). Art therapy allows them to express their thoughts and emotions in a way that goes beyond words. These creative sessions give them the opportunity to explore their creativity through various practices such as drawing, painting, music, dance, collage or clay. This approach aims to help young people discover untapped strengths, regain self-confidence and find renewed hope. The sessions, organized in small groups of 8 to 9 participants, also foster interaction with peers facing similar challenges. They are led by a professional art therapist who carefully guides the young participants towards overall well-being. No prior artistic skills are required to participate.
Location: Brussels and Wallonia
CHAPP DE MIC present’s Ieders huis
The project “CHAPP DE MIC presents Ieders huis” (Chapp de mic presents everyone's home) aims to improve the mental well-being of young people in Belgium through creativity and music. The organization offers workshops where young people can express themselves in a positive and safe environment. Through activities such as rap, music, art, and other forms of creative expression, participants explore and process their emotions while developing strategies to cope with stress and other mental health challenges. The project seeks to equip young people with skills and tools to strengthen their resilience and improve their long-term mental well-being. In collaboration with schools, youth organizations and other partners, the initiative works to maximize the impact of these efforts.
Location: Antwerp, Leuven and Brussels
Soldiers of Love - Clash Labs
The Soldiers of Love - Clash Labs project aims to transform anger into a positive force. Through discussions, boxing training, mindfulness activities and creative projects, participants learn to recognize, accept and channel their anger. This project encourages young people to become “soldiers of love”, able to express their anger in the face of injustice in a constructive way and contribute to a better future. By applying this mindset in small daily moments, participants improve their own well-being as well as that of their surroundings, while fostering a positive activist attitude.
Location: Ghent
Raising awareness and activating through (social) media
Projects within this theme use media – from podcasts and videos to social media and storytelling – to make mental health a topic of discussion and break taboos. By actively involving young people in content creation and sharing their stories, these initiatives increase visibility, accessibility, and support for youth facing mental health challenges.
Tout va s'arranger (ou pas) (Everything will be fine (or not))
Centre d'Action Laïque et Fédération des associations de parents de l'école officielle (FAPEO)
The project " Tout va s'arranger (ou pas)" is based on the use of a video tool featuring testimonials from young people experiencing psychological distress. This resource serves as a starting point to open conversations about mental health. The organization guides young people through discussions, facilitating exchanges that highlight their life experiences. The goal is to acknowledge their struggles and empower them to become key actors in their own mental health.
Location: Brussels and Wallonia
Empowerment et Inclusion : Projet de Co-Production pour la Santé Mentale des Jeunes Sourds (Co-production project for the mental health of deaf youth)
The "Empowerment et Inclusion" project aims to promote the mental health of young deaf people by involving them in the co-creation of initiatives. The organization plans to produce educational videos, accessible through subtitles and sign language, ensuring optimal understanding. These videos target not only young deaf people, but also hearing individuals, their parents, and professionals, guaranteeing broad accessibility. Deaf young people will be able to watch these videos at their own pace, fostering deep personal reflection. At the same time, workshops and activities will be organized in collaboration with deaf professionals such as psychologists, personal development trainers, specialists in relational, emotional and sexual education (EVRAS), and sports coaches.
Location: Namur
Young FENIX Podcast season 4
The “Young FENIX Podcast” provides a platform for discussion and reflection with, by, and for young people. This podcast explores the realities of daily life and addresses topics that matter to young people, including mental health issues. In each episode, young people share their experiences, feelings, and the strategies they use to manage their challenges. This project aims to inspire and encourage listeners to recognize themselves in these stories, by offering an authentic, honest and inclusive space.
Location: Antwerpen
Let's get back on track together
The “Let's get back on track together” project serves as both an online and offline support hub for and by young people facing obstacles in their lives. The organization provides a safe space that encourages experience-sharing and access to support. Littekens reaches out to young people via social media, by co-creating video testimonials about their challenges and resilience. This content, shared on a peer-to-peer basis, aims to break down barriers around mental health discussions and encourage access to help. By helping young people to recognize themselves in the stories of others, the project strengthens their resilience and ability to cope with life's challenges.
Location: Ghent
14 January 2025
With the support of
