The new name emphasises the aim of the approach: to ensure that all young people in the Netherlands can grow up in a promising environment, where attention is paid to well-being and the prevention of substance use.
The basis for the approach is still the Icelandic prevention model, but it has been tailored to the Dutch context based on lessons learned from the pilot. OKO builds on the experience gained over the past few years.
Six Dutch municipalities implemented the Icelandic prevention model in a pilot programme from 2018 to 2021, supported by the Trimbos Institute and the Netherlands Youth Institute. During the pilot, they worked closely with Planet Youth, the founders of the Icelandic prevention model. Thanks to them, much has been learned about the successes in Iceland and how we can work towards achieving them in the Netherlands.
Ten new municipalities and continuation for the six pilot municipalities
A group of ten new municipalities will begin a four-year implementation programme for Growing Up in a Promising Environment in January 2022. The new municipalities are Altena, Dinkelland-Tubbergen, Ede, Goeree-Overflakkee, Horst aan de Maas, Maastricht, Nijkerk, Oldambt, Schouwen-Duiveland and Vijfheerenlanden.
All six pilot municipalities will also continue working according to the Icelandic model through the implementation programme for Growing Up in a Promising Environment. The six pilot municipalities are Amersfoort, Hardenberg, the Kempengemeenten partnership (Bergeijk, Bladel, Eersel, Reusel-De Mierden), Súdwest-Fryslân, Texel and Urk.
Through this implementation programme, the Trimbos Institute supports municipalities in working towards a healthy and promising environment for young people, based on the principles of the Icelandic prevention model. Drawing on its expertise in parenting and child development, the Netherlands Youth Institute contributes to the implementation programme.