Period: 01.06.2025 to 30.11.2026
Every young person deserves someone who truly understands!
Statistics show that concerns are growing among Estonian youth: in 2024, 566 young people required treatment for intentional self-harm, nearly 4,000 offenses were committed by young people, and an increasing number of minors are repeatedly using drugs. These indicators reflect the extent of risk behavior: these are situations that endanger the life and well-being of the young person themselves or others.
Today's traditional interventions often focus on quick behavioral improvements, but often overlook the real root causes of risky behavior, such as past trauma, trust issues, or reactions due to pain and anger.
Our program focuses on understanding these reasons, accepting and supporting the young person, and restoring trust.
What is the Experienced Trustee Program?
This is an innovative program for young people aged 10-18 who exhibit high-risk behavior, providing support through a trusted adult. A trusted adult is an adult who has experienced similar difficulties as a young person, has overcome them, and moved on in life. It is this personal experience that gives them a unique ability to understand and support young people in a way that is often not possible through traditional services.
How does the program work?
The confidant and the young person meet regularly over a period of 12-18 months. The meetings take place in an environment suitable for the young person and include both conversations and practical activities. In addition, contact is maintained by phone or text messages. This is a consistent and supportive relationship that helps the young person develop self-regulation skills, improve relationships with loved ones, build trust in adults and professionals, and reduce risk behavior.
Trustee preparation and support
Becoming a trustee does not happen by chance. To participate in the program:
- is passed basic training in experiential counseling, which helps a person understand and analyze their own experience and prepares them to support a young person,
- participates in-service training (e.g. self-care, setting boundaries, communication skills),
- The person's readiness and suitability for the role are assessed.
- Each trustee also has their own mentor and access supervisions, co-sessions and support network, to prevent burnout and maintain motivation. NB! We are looking for mentors for young people! Apply HERE
Project structure
The program consists of two stages:
- Preparation phase (6 months), until December 2025: We are recruiting up to 20 people with suitable experience, of whom at least 13 will receive training and start working with young people.
- Pilot phase (12-18 months), expected to start in January 2026: Each trustee supports one young person individually, creating a strong and consistent relationship of trust.
Young people participating in the program are found in cooperation with partners (e.g. youth centers, schools, local governments).
As a result of the project
- has been created on the website and available in other channels, clearly program introduction (including responsibility, roles, data protection, etc.)
- has been trained at least 10 acting trustees,
- at least 10 young people have received consistent support,
- has occurred at least 1 basic training or experiential counseling training and 3 additional topic-based trainings,
- Has been developed and implemented impact assessment system.
The project budget is 32,563.20 euros and is financed by Through the start-up grant of the Civil Society Button Solutions Foundation, the Civil Society Foundation.
