Implementing the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) in Germany: Experiences, Challenges, and Future Directions.

Abstract

This article examines the implementation of the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) in Germany since 2019. Since its introduction, EUPC has been delivered in Germany to 307 participants through 22 courses (17 basic, 5 advanced), offering both online and in-person training. Key partnerships with the State Prevention Council of Lower Saxony, the German Forum for Crime Prevention, and the Hannover Medical School have strengthened implementation. An evaluation with 51 prevention professionals showed significant improvements across 14 of 25 competency domains, with strongest effects in evidence-based program registry usage and prevention advocacy. Germany's federal structure presented challenges for nationwide implementation, reflected in varying regional engagement. The curriculum's alignment with the Prevention Act of 2015, which promotes quality-assured prevention measures, created a supportive policy framework for EUPC graduates. Despite its voluntary nature limiting mainstream adoption, EUPC has fostered evidence-based practices and cultivated a professional community united by a common understanding of prevention quality. Recommendations include building strategic partnerships, leveraging existing policies, and systematically fostering the community of practice that emerges from the training.