Lower Austria plans youth health conferences from 2027

Lower Austria will launch the Mood up project to help young people identify and discuss health concerns, ORF reported. Youth health conferences are scheduled to begin in 2027.

The programme, initiated by the Lower Austria Health and Social Fund, is aimed at people aged 12 to 20. Participants will examine issues including everyday stress, pressure to perform and worries about the future.

“Young people are at the centre. They are the main actors,” state councillor Anton Kasser said at the project presentation. State councillor Martin Antauer said the programme was intended to strengthen young people’s psychosocial health literacy, helping them recognise difficulties early, cope with them and find support.

Workshops will develop projects

The programme will be implemented with the Tut gut initiative for young people at schools and youth facilities. Participants will choose their own topics and develop projects with implementation partners.

Possible activities include dance workshops, self-defence courses, making punching bags, exploring food from different countries and learning relaxation techniques to manage stress, project coordinator Sabine Brandstetter said.

Each project group can receive up to 500 euros. Youth facilities, schools and municipalities will support implementation and will receive information at separate events.

The completed projects will be presented at the Mood up youth health conferences. The first events are planned for Amstetten on June 17, 2027, and St. Pölten on June 24, 2027. Conferences in Mistelbach, Zwettl and Wiener Neustadt are scheduled to follow in 2028.

The project is due to start in January 2027 and run for two years. The first information events will take place in the coming weeks.