The partnership aims to tackle the issue of professionalizing peer support work in the mental health sector across Europe. The project has several key objectives: to innovate the carer-user relationship by structurally integrating peer support into the care pathway; to enhance the employment prospects of peer support workers by strengthening their professional profiles and ensuring training is appropriate; to better prepare professional teams to welcome and integrate peer support workers into their practices by supporting the team throughout the entire integration process; and to encourage innovation and the exchange of best practices on these topics. This initiative seeks not only to improve the quality of support provided but also to ensure that peer support workers are adequately trained and supported in their roles, fostering a more collaborative and effective environment in mental health care.
In the field of mental health, peer support emerged as an innovative approach for individuals with psychiatric disorders. Former users in recovery, by sharing experiences, helped current users move toward recovery. Studies highlighted multiple benefits—renewed hope, stronger caregiver-user understanding, and reduced stigma. These practices developed mainly in English-speaking countries like Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., where significant expertise was built. Training programs existed in Europe but varied in duration, content, and certification, with no standardized framework. A transnational approach was needed to recognize experiential knowledge and integrate peer supporters into professional settings. However, teams were rarely prepared to hire them. Lack of understanding of recovery, misconceptions about peer support, unrealistic expectations, and reluctance to change practices often led to failed integration, harming both peer supporters and service users.