Speaker
Description
Authors: Vivien Voit (FINDER e.V.), Birgitta Månsson (Swedish Institute for Applied Prevention Science), Epp Kerge (National Institute for Health Development), Frederick Groeger-Roth (Ministry of Justice Lower Saxony), Katrin Hayn (FINDER e.V.), Margaret Kuklinski (University of Washington, Social Development Research Group), Nicole Eisenberg (University of Washington, Social Development Research Group), Triin Vilms (National Institute for Health Development)
Have you encountered challenges implementing evidence-based prevention in your setting? Are you curious about how different European countries adapt international frameworks to local contexts? This campfire session explores the practical realities of implementing Communities That Care (CTC) across European settings.
CTC—a community-based prevention system developed in the USA—has gained traction in several European countries. The framework isn't a one-size-fits-all programme but a strategic process that guides communities to develop individualised prevention action plans based on their local needs. Using data-driven approaches to identify local risk and protective factors, CTC enables communities to select and implement evidence-based interventions that address their unique prevention priorities. But how does this localised strategic approach translate to diverse European welfare systems, organisational structures, and cultural contexts?
During this session, we will share findings from recent German focus group interviews exploring key barriers and facilitators to CTC implementation. These insights provide a foundation for understanding common implementation challenges.
Prevention experts from Sweden, Estonia and Germany will briefly highlight their distinctive adaptation approaches. We also include perspectives from the University of Washington Center for Communities that Care, where CTC was originally developed, based on their experience providing training and technical assistance for international adaptations and implementation.
The heart of our session invites you to join a collaborative discussion around key questions like:
● What common challenges have you encountered in implementing prevention frameworks?
● What structures in your setting support or hinder sustainable prevention efforts?
● What creative solutions have you found for maintaining stakeholder engagement?
● How can we align our efforts to build a common agenda for CTC in Europe?
Whether you are actively implementing CTC, working with other prevention frameworks, or simply interested in community-based prevention, your perspective enriches this discussion.
| Conflict of interest | None to declare |
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