Invest4Health (I4H) is a Horizon Europe project with eighteen partners, including four regional testbeds designed to challenge traditional methods of financing health promotion and disease prevention. By introducing innovative strategies such as Smart Capacitating Investment (SCI), social franchising, and new governance mechanisms also involving citizens, the project redefines health as a long-term investment rather than merely a cost. I4H emphasizes community-centred approaches, delivering socially equitable services while linking health outcomes to broader economic and social benefits. This transformative vision inspires collaboration among diverse stakeholders to create sustainable, impactful solutions to health challenges.
The Invest4Health Consortium organised an online public workshop on the 10th of December. This workshop was a significant milestone for our project, marking the first time we provided a comprehensive public overview of our work. Participants gained insights into the key findings of our research on Smart Capacitating Investment (SCI) and SCI-compatible financing models. We demonstrated the practical applications of our approach using various tools and exploratory exercises, drawing on current testbeds in Galicia, North-Rhine Westphalia, Skåne, and Wales while highlighting key challenges and important messages. We also discussed health promotion and investment challenges from a global perspective.
In addition to summarizing our achievements and challenges, we launched an Open Call to invite new regions and other actors to collaborate with our consortium. The call invites regional stakeholders to help refine our investment models and learn to apply them to health promotion initiatives in their own context.
Activities will include assessing readiness to implement innovative financial models, capacity-building and training, simulation exercises on social impact investments (SCI), and opportunities for networking and collaboration with other testbeds. Eligible participants include local and regional governments, municipalities, health authorities, social enterprises, community-driven initiatives, and EU projects aligned with the initiative’s goals. Applications are expected till February 27th. Responses will be provided by mid-March, and activities will run from May 2025 till June 2026.
We thank everyone who participated in this workshop and those who may listen to the recording later. We hope that the session was valuable and insightful for all involved. We are excited about the opportunity for collaboration to explore further the innovative financial solutions and investment opportunities we are developing, and we look forward to working together with new regions to advance these approaches and make a lasting impact on health promotion and disease prevention.
For the Workshop report and presentation, CLICK HERE.
For our Open Call documentation, CLICK HERE.
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(Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik)
