05.09.2024 - Esbjerg Municipality is one of 15 Danish municipalities collaborating with the Danish Health Authority and TrygFonden to further develop a Danish model for creating a substance-free youth life. The program, titled "United for Youth Life," is now underway.
In the spring, Esbjerg Municipality was selected as one of 15 Danish municipalities to further develop the ambitious program "United for Youth Life" until 2027. Esbjerg will contribute to realizing a strong vision that Danish youth should enjoy a life where substances do not play a significant role—a life where engaged and supportive adults create an environment that fosters positive social communities and inspiring youth settings.
May-Britt Andrea Andersen, Chair of the Health & Care Committee in Esbjerg Municipality, expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity:
"In Esbjerg Municipality, we are already working to prevent the use of alcohol and other substances and to create communities that promote well-being and a good life among children and young people. With 'United for Youth Life,' we look forward to shining an even brighter light on the important role that parents and other adults play in this effort. To strengthen health and well-being, we must work together. Communities—whether in families, schools, or clubs—can be crucial in fostering and maintaining healthy behavior. That is why we are thrilled to be part of the 'United for Youth Life' program, which will involve a range of fields across the municipality."
Focus on involving adults around young people based on local data
Esbjerg Municipality is eager to begin strengthening the involvement of adults around young people, as they can serve as important protective factors in reducing substance use among youth. A key part of this effort is ensuring local data on young people, which can engage and mobilize the adults around them and serve as benchmarks in developing initiatives.
"With initiatives based on data collected from local schools and youth education centers, we look forward to creating solutions that promote positive development among young people and reduce their alcohol consumption and risk of using other substances. This includes motivating parents to be present and engaged—and to set clear boundaries for their youth. It is also about creating environments that encourage more young people to become and remain active in associations," explains May-Britt Andrea Andersen.
Inspiration from Iceland
The "United for Youth Life" program builds on experiences from a pilot phase from 2020-2024, where five other municipalities, in collaboration with the Danish Health Authority and TrygFonden, developed a concept for how Danish municipalities, together with parents and local stakeholders, can support youth communities without substances. The inspiration comes from Iceland, which successfully transformed its youth culture from having the highest alcohol consumption in Europe to having the lowest.
"We have looked to the Icelandic model, but our clear ambition has been to develop a Danish concept that can be adapted locally. I believe we have been very successful in the pilot phase. Now we look forward to seeing it unfold and develop further in the 15 municipalities for the benefit of preventive and health-promoting work across Denmark," says Niels Sandø, Head of Prevention and Inequality in the Danish Health Authority.
Deputy Director of TrygFonden, Jette Jul Bruun, adds:
"Together with the Danish Health Authority and the five pilot municipalities, we have developed some very concrete tools that we hope other municipalities will be inspired by—both the ten new program municipalities and others wishing to create better conditions for a substance-free youth life. 'United for Youth Life' is also about creating and spreading a cultural change," says Jette Jul Bruun.
As a new program municipality in "United for Youth Life," Esbjerg Municipality has been assigned Silkeborg Municipality as a mentor. Silkeborg is one of the pilot municipalities in "United for Youth Life" and can therefore provide a wealth of experience that will be particularly valuable in the establishment phase.
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