Following a competitive process, five projects have been awarded funding. Together, they address key challenges facing young people, including mental health, inclusion, education and access to opportunities.

The funded projects include the development of a School Mental Health Cultural Mapping Tool to help schools better understand the social and cultural factors affecting students’ mental health; improvements to the IN-hub online platform, enabling teachers to access better evidence-informed support for young people with neurodevelopmental differences; and a pilot of the Social Health Framework to strengthen youth wellbeing and social connection in rural communities around Dartmoor.

Funding has also been awarded to a project building on the Kailo programme in Northern Devon, helping employers, education providers and public services improve support for young people moving into employment. In addition, the Resilient Young Minds programme will deliver nature-based wellbeing support for disadvantaged young adults experiencing poor mental health in North Dartmoor.

These projects demonstrate the value of the Devon County Council and University of Exeter partnership, bringing together research expertise, community knowledge and local leadership to create practical solutions that help young people thrive. By investing jointly in evidence-based approaches, the partnership is helping to ensure that research delivers real benefits for communities across Devon.