MIND project kicks off to address mental health and VET challenges in Ukraine
The consortium behind the MIND Project is excited to announce the successful launch of the initiative and its Kick-Off Meeting, which took place online on January 8, 2025. The project, a Capacity Building in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET) is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission and aims to tackle the pressing mental health challenges and rebuild VET systems in Ukraine.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has deeply affected the population, with estimates indicating that 25% to 42% of Ukrainians are experiencing psychological distress, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Educational stakeholders have been significantly impacted, with 26% of Ukrainian teenagers diagnosed with PTSD and 54% of teachers reporting professional burnout.
VET is crucial for Ukraine’s reconstruction. As the OECD notes, “with VET interrupted during war years, the inflow of entrants into certain professional fields is insufficient to replace skills losses and meet reconstruction needs.” Beyond its economic role, VET helps rebuild the nation’s social fabric. The MIND Project supports this by equipping VET providers with tools to address PTSD and other mental health challenges, boosting resilience and overcoming barriers to participation in post-war Ukraine.
The MIND Project brings together a diverse and highly qualified consortium of partners from across Europe:
- Institut AND (the project Applicant) from Poland
- University of Naples Federico II, Italy
- Institut de Haute Formation aux Politiques Communautaires, Belgium
- University of Customs and Financ, Ukraine
- Halytsky applied college named after Vyacheslav Chornovil, Ukraine
- International Humanitarian University, Ukraine
- Kamianets-Podilskyi State Institute, Ukraine
The MIND Project is structured around key Work Packages (WPs), each addressing critical aspects
- WP1: Ongoing project administration to ensure seamless execution over 36 months
- WP2: Development and localization of training materials for PTSD management and enhancement of the Ukrainian VET system through adoption of EU VET tools and new strategies for resilience
- WP3: Deployment of blended learning through the ADN eLearning platform, capacity-building workshops and mobilities of trainers from Ukraine to Europe
- WP4: Dissemination and valorisation activities to maximize project visibility and impact
For more info about the project, contact us at euprojects@ihfeurope.eu
