Bridging gaps, building futures: Co-creating sustainable employment pathways for minoritized youth with mental health and/or brain-related complaints

Bridging gaps, building futures is an award notice issued by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek under the Nationale Wetenschapsagenda, identified by solicitation number NWA.1683.23.011. The project focuses on supporting minoritized young adults facing mental health or brain-related conditions as they transition from educational environments into sustainable employment. By analyzing the intersection of individual, organizational, and societal factors, the initiative seeks to enhance support systems and improve long-term outcomes for this specific demographic. The project utilizes a collaborative learning community that integrates partners from the healthcare, education, and employment sectors through shared tools and coordinated communication. The primary objective is to co-create sustainable career pathways alongside young people and key stakeholders. Rather than focusing solely on initial job placement, the program emphasizes long-term well-being, personal growth, and the creation of stable employment opportunities that allow participants to thrive.