A new Cooperation Agreement aimed at enhancing prevention training for frontline workers is being established across Europe. The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and HOGENT University’s Research Centre for Substance Use and Psychosocial Risk Behaviours are formalizing this partnership today in Ghent. EUDA Executive Director Alexis Goosdeel and HOGENT General Director Koen Goethals will sign the 10-year agreement.
This collaboration focuses on the implementation of training materials developed as part of the EU-funded Frontline Politeia Project, which has been running from January 2022 to December 2023 and is coordinated by HOGENT.
As part of the initiative, a specialized training course for frontline personnel—including teachers, police officers, and street workers—has been created and tested. This course, referred to as ‘EUPC-Frontline Training’, is based on the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) and features a variety of modules tailored to different prevention contexts.
The training adopts a blended learning approach, integrating e-learning resources with in-person sessions. It builds on prior EU-funded projects focused on training decision-makers and policymakers.
With this agreement, the EUDA is authorized to distribute and implement the EUPC-Frontline Training throughout Europe and its partner countries using the PLATO e-learning platform. As part of the partnership, the EUDA will grant project partners complimentary access to the PLATO platform.
This initiative highlights the importance of equipping frontline workers with the necessary skills to prioritize evidence-based interventions while phasing out outdated practices. The signing of this agreement represents a crucial step forward in bolstering public health prevention efforts in Europe.