Vivons en Forme (VIF®)

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THE INTERREG FAMILY PROJECT

WHAT IS THE “FAMILY” PROJECT?

FAMILY is a European cross-border project co-funded by the Interreg France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen programme. It places the first 1,000 days of life at the heart of health prevention and parenting support.

This key period, from pregnancy through a child’s first two to three years, is crucial for child development — but also for the physical, mental and social wellbeing of parents. On both sides of the French-Belgian border, many families face increasing challenges including isolation, financial hardship, parental exhaustion and a lack of clear, coordinated support.

A SHARED REALITY,
A COMMON CHALLENGE

Parental burnout is increasing across Europe, particularly in situations of social vulnerability. Health inequalities begin early in childhood, while existing support services can remain difficult to access or insufficiently coordinated. These challenges are shared across France, Wallonia and Flanders.

FAMILY’S AMBITION

FAMILY aims to improve the long-term wellbeing of expectant and new parents, and consequently that of their children, by creating a cross-border support ecosystem that is inclusive, compassionate and innovative.

The objective is clear: to make the first 1,000 days a lever for reducing social inequalities in health by strengthening the skills of families, professionals and local authorities and encouraging more humane, coordinated and preventive practices.

PRACTICAL ACTION CLOSE TO FAMILIES

Over three years, FAMILY will roll out a range of complementary actions in pilot areas:

  • A shared methodology for supporting families during the first 1,000 days, co-designed by French and Belgian partners.
  • A practical toolkit for professionals: resources, playful educational tools, awareness modules, digital resources and communication materials.
  • Training for 1,000 professionals working in perinatal care, early childhood, social care and health and social services.
  • A cross-border peer-support network, with parents trained to support other parents.
  • Dedicated parenting spaces designed to be welcoming, reassuring and non-stigmatising.
  • Innovative prevention initiatives, particularly around parental burnout, parental sensitivity and shaken baby syndrome prevention.

WHY CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION MATTERS

Because the challenges are shared while support systems differ, FAMILY is built on strong cross-border cooperation. The project brings expertise together, helps harmonise professional practices and supports the co-design of tools that can be used beyond national borders.

This approach creates lasting networks between professionals, local authorities and peer supporters, helping cooperation continue long after the project ends.

VIVONS EN FORME:
LEAD PARTNER OF THE FAMILY PROJECT

FAMILY offers a comprehensive and innovative response based on several core VIF® principles:

  • A small-steps approach, inspired by social marketing, to encourage lasting change without guilt or stigma.
  • The integration of peer support into parenting support as a way to build trust and empowerment.
  • Tools co-designed with families through a Living Lab approach.
  • Progressive, collective skills development across the whole family-support ecosystem.
  • The adaptation of approaches developed through hospital research to a range of social settings.

A PROJECT FOR TODAY — AND TOMORROW

By strengthening early prevention, supporting parents from the very beginning of their child’s life and breaking down barriers between professional practices, FAMILY helps build fairer, more supportive communities that promote health from early childhood.

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