IPS in the Nordic Region

The project aims to map the status, organization, and experiences with Individual Placement and Support (IPS) across the Nordic countries.

IPS is an evidence‑based supported employment model originally developed for people with severe mental illness, but increasingly adapted for other groups such as young people, individuals with substance use disorders, and people with common mental health problems. 

By collecting and synthesizing existing knowledge, the project will provide an updated overview of how IPS and related Supported Employment approaches are implemented, organized, and developed in different Nordic contexts. 

The goal is to strengthen the knowledge base for cross‑national learning, policy development, and future collaboration. 

Methodologically, the project combines desk research, expert interviews, and Nordic cross‑country workshops. Each participating country/territory appoints a national representative responsible for gathering information using a shared framework. Data collection is structured in two phases: a basic mapping of IPS/Supported Employment services in all countries, followed by a more in‑depth exploration of IPS in countries with established practice. 

Findings are further developed through two online workshops that facilitate comparative analysis of similarities, differences, challenges, and success factors across the Nordic region. The collected national reports and workshop insights will be synthesized into a final Nordic report summarizing key findings, patterns, and recommendations.