Youth-GEMs consortium meeting in Madrid
On 29–30 October 2026, the Youth-GEMs consortium gathered in Madrid, Spain, for two days of exchange, reflection and collaboration. Hosted at the Materno Infantil Hospital, the meeting brought together researchers and project partners from across Europe, alongside our Young Experts and members of the External Advisory Board. The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of progress across the different work packages, discuss challenges and priorities, and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration as the project moves forward.
Connecting research, innovation and lived experience
The programme covered a broad range of topics central to the Youth-GEMs project. Across the two days, work package (WP) leaders presented updates on engagement, ethics and networking (WP2), clinical innovation (WP7), functional genomics of the human brain (WP4), data inference (WP5), data integration and prediction (WP6), data management (WP3), and project coordination and management (WP1). Rather than focusing solely on technical achievements, the sessions encouraged discussion around progress, challenges, lessons learned and upcoming activities. Dedicated time for questions gave participants the opportunity to share reflections, raise questions and contribute perspectives across disciplines.
Bringing people and perspectives together: the EYMH session
One of the highlights of the first day was the interactive session organized by the team of Euro Youth Mental Health (EYMH). Combining creativity, personal connection and scientific reflection, the session offered a refreshing opportunity to get to know one another beyond our roles in the consortium.
In one of the activities, participants wrote something about themselves that others might not know on a piece of paper, folded it into a paper plane and threw it across the room. Everyone then picked up a plane, read the message inside and had the opportunity to connect with the person behind it. A fun and unexpected way to discover new things about colleagues and break down barriers!
The group also worked together in smaller groups to practise explaining their research in an accessible way. The challenge was to communicate complex scientific topics so that people outside their own research field could understand what the research is about and why it matters. An important exercise for a project that aims to bridge different disciplines and make research meaningful and accessible to wider audiences.
Another thought-provoking contribution came from young expert Thomas, who presented scientific research exploring the influence of knowing one’s diagnosis and how this knowledge can shape the way a person responds to and relates to that diagnosis. This opened up interesting reflections on the relationship between diagnostic labels, personal identity and lived experience, and the importance of considering these perspectives in mental health research.
Together, these activities highlighted what EYMH brings to Youth-GEMs: not only the involvement of young people, but also opportunities for genuine exchange, mutual learning and new ways of thinking about research and its impact.
A message on leadership
The meeting also included a special video message from Steve Appleton, President and CEO of the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE), offering an opportunity to connect with the wider leadership community of GLE and reflect on the importance of collaboration and shared efforts to improve young people’s mental health. Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) is an international network connecting leaders in mental health, disability and substance use. By encouraging the exchange of knowledge, experiences and good practices across countries and sectors, GLE aims to drive innovation and improve people’s lives.
Learning from different perspectives
On the second day, delegates of our External Advisory Board shared their feedback and reflections on the project’s progress and future direction. Their expertise and independent perspectives are valuable in helping the consortium reflect on its work, identify opportunities and maximise the project’s potential impact.
Looking ahead
The meeting in Madrid was a valuable moment to reconnect as a consortium, share knowledge across work packages and align our efforts for the next phase of the project. It also offered an opportunity to reflect on how we can translate our research into meaningful outcomes and ensure that the project’s results reach the people and communities who can benefit from them.
A big thank you to the team at the Hospital Materno Infantil Gregorio Marañon for hosting us so warmly and providing such a wonderful setting for our meeting. We are also grateful to the restaurant team at El Rincón de Esteban for a lovely evening and excellent hospitality.
inally, our sincere thanks go to all consortium partners, our External Advisory Board members and, especially, our Young Experts for their time, engagement, thoughtful contributions and continued commitment to Youth-GEMs.
1. Group picture fro the Youth-GEMs consortium
2. Group exercise: practicing explaining research in an accessible way
3. Ice-breaker: sharing something about themselves that others might not know in a paper plane
4. Presentation by Esmeralda Ruiz Pujadas on Young people’s mental health trajectories
5. Ella Sheltawy presenting on behalf of Euro Youth Mental Health
6. After-meeting gathering and socialising!
