The STRONGER2GETHER project (S2G) focuses on strengthening the mental well-being and resilience of young people by supporting them in building and maintaining positive social relationships in various contexts, such as school, neighborhood, sports, and online environments. The aim of S2G is to gain insight into how social relationships contribute to young people’s well-being and flourishing, and how these relationships can be fostered. Students in pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO), secondary vocational education (MBO), and special education are central to this project, as they are often underrepresented in research and policy.
In Work Package 1 (WP1), the CARES framework is developed, integrating scientific knowledge on how social relationships and flourishing can be supported within the socio-ecological systems in which young people are embedded. This framework forms the basis for interventions that will be redesigned, implemented, and evaluated in WP2 in close collaboration with young people and professionals. WP3 facilitates this collaboration through Research & Development Communities (RDCs) and Living Labs (LLs). WP4 focuses on translating this knowledge into educational programs and curricula for (future) professionals.
The expected impact of S2G is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to improve young people’s mental well-being by helping them build healthy, meaningful social relationships that contribute to a flourishing life. On the other hand, it seeks to achieve sustainable changes in education by transferring CARES-based interventions and knowledge to professionals and policymakers, enabling their broad application across diverse educational systems and communities. The project is carried out in close collaboration with schools, professionals, and young people themselves.