On November 20-21, 2025, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova will host the fourth working meeting of the European consortium EARLY (Evaluating, Identifying and Reducing Determinants of Mental Health Conditions in Youth) consortium – a large-scale project funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe program (grant agreement no. 101095392), carried out between 2023 and 2027, coordinated on behalf of UMF Craiova by Prof. Mihai Pîrlog.

The EARLY project aims to assess, identify, and reduce the determinants of mental health disorders among young people, contributing to the development of evidence-based interventions that support mental well-being and mental illness prevention in Europe. 

UMF Craiova is the sole Romanian partner in the European consortium

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is the only institution in Romania involved in this landmark international project, which brings together 19 partners from 14 countries—universities, public health organizations, NGOs, and European networks specializing in mental health.

UMF Craiova contributes to the analysis of social and cultural determinants of mental health among young Romanians, as well as to the collection of representative data at national and international level, which will inform public policies and interventions tailored to the local context.

A European approach to a global problem

The EARLY project aims to address the critical issue of young people's mental health and reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases through a comprehensive methodology that includes: adherence to the highest ethical and legal standards, analysis of national and international data on mental health and associated factors, assessment of countries' readiness to implement youth-focused interventions, mapping of existing services and identification of gaps in support systems, qualitative interviews with young people, parents, and professionals to integrate diverse perspectives into mental health policies.

The results obtained will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of mental health among young people, developing evidence-based public policies, developing effective interventions adapted to the local context, and strengthening European cooperation in the field of mental health.

Partners

EARLY brings together 19 partners from 14 countries, including academic institutions, public health organizations, NGOs, and public policy bodies:

• Universiteti i Mjekesise Tirane şi Logos University College (Albania);
• Universite Libre de Bruxelles (Belgia);
• School of Health Sciences at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (Elveţia);
• Hochschule Emden/Leer, Technische Universitaet Muenchen şi Universitaet Augsburg (Germania);
• Tel Aviv University (Israel);
• Sapienza Universita di Roma (Italia);
• Societatea Psihiatrilor, Narcologilor, Psihoterapeutilor si Psihologilor Clinicieni din Moldova  (Republica Moldova);
• Medical University of Gdańsk (Polonia);
• Instituto de Saude Publica da Universidade do Porto (Portugalia);
• Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie din Craiova (Romania);
• Faculty of Medicine University of Novi Sad (Serbia);
• Stichting WONCA Europe (WONCA Europe);
• Fundacion Privada Instituto de Salud Global Barcelona (Spania);
• The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER);
• Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Networks Europe (GAMIAN-Europe);
• European Public Health Association (EUPHA).

More information:

• www.early-project.eu;
• https://www.umfcv.ro/ro/cercetare/granturi/evaluating-identifying-and-reducing-determinants-of-mental-health-conditions-in-youth-early