The partnership project Fælles om ungelivet aims to create better conditions for Danish youth by supporting an adolescent life where alcohol and other intoxicants do not play a central role. The initiative is grounded in the belief that visible and present adults are key to establishing positive youth environments and social communities. By focusing on active and engaged adults, such as parents, teachers, and community leaders, the programme strives to motivate these role models to set clear boundaries and provide guidance for young people.

At the heart of Fælles om ungelivet is a three-principle approach inspired by the Icelandic prevention model. The programme is driven by data collection and dissemination about youth in the participating municipalities, an emphasis on strengthening protective factors like social bonds and participation in organized leisure activities, and the local involvement and mobilization of parents and communities to build drug-free environments. This structure allows each municipality to tailor interventions to its own local needs and challenges.

The primary target group for Fælles om ungelivet is young people aged 12–18, who are mainly in the last years of primary school and in upper secondary education. The goal is to influence the culture surrounding substance use, especially early alcohol debut, which remains higher in Denmark compared to other European countries. By supporting youth communities where alcohol is not at the center, and by restricting alcohol availability at social events, the project seeks to encourage positive behavioral changes that can be sustained into adulthood.

Fælles om ungelivet is a partnership between the Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) and TrygFonden. Initially developed in a pilot phase with five municipalities from 2020–2024, the programme has expanded to include a total of 15 municipalities in the 2024–2027 phase. The pilot municipalities now act as mentors for new programme municipalities, furthering the spread of the model and sharing experiences to build a nationwide movement for healthier and more supportive youth environments in Denmark.

Find more from Fælles om ungelivet (Denmark, 2023-2025)