Europe's workforce is facing profound changes driven by climate change, sustainable work practices, and the expansion of green jobs. These structural shifts are transforming working conditions, especially in sectors such as outdoor construction, healthcare, public transport, renewable energy, and waste management/recycling. While offering new opportunities, these changes may adversely affect workers' mental health and well-being. INTERCAMBIO, a Horizon Europe project, investigates how evolving work environments influence mental and physical health, with a central focus on mental health and well-being.


INTERCAMBIO applies a mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies across diverse occupational settings in Europe. Quantitative data are collected through harmonised self-reported surveys measuring stress, well-being, and mental health, alongside biomonitoring of physical and chemical exposures and biomarkers linked to mental health (e.g., stress and inflammation). Experimental studies are conducted in key industries with occupational cohorts stratified by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. In parallel, qualitative data are collected through interviews, focus groups, and participatory co-creation workshops with workers and employers, to develop and implement interventions that promote mental and physical health in changing work environments.


Expected results from INTERCAMBIO include a comprehensive evidence base on the mental health impacts of climate-driven changes in the workplace, as well as the identification of both risk and protective factors across sectors and EU countries. The project will deliver co-created, context-specific interventions aimed at reducing work-related stress and promoting well-being, particularly for vulnerable worker groups. It will also generate practical tools, such as a living review of effective workplace interventions, and policy recommendations informed by biomarker data, self-reported outcomes, and qualitative insights. By capturing the complex relationship between environmental exposures, organisational practices, and mental health, INTERCAMBIO will support the development of healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable work environments across Europe.