25/10/2025 — The THCS Partnership was invited by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) to participate as an informed actor in the online National Long-Term Care (LTC) Coordinators’ Meeting, held on 20 October 2025.
The National Long-Term Care Coordinators’ Meeting is a DG EMPL forum that brings together national coordinators/contact points designated by EU Member States to support the implementation of long-term care policies. It provides space for policy dialogue and mutual learning, and for exchanging progress, challenges, and next steps in implementing the Council Recommendation on accessible and high-quality long-term care under the European Care Strategy.
The meeting offered THCS an opportunity to highlight its contribution to advancing the long-term care sector in Europe, notably by showcasing two THCS-funded projects.
By analysing the projects funded under the first three Joint Transnational Calls, THCS identified 21 LTC-related projects, covering topics such as better coordination between health and social care, digital tools for integrated services, and new models for person-centred and community-based care. Following an open call for participation, two projects were invited to present at the meeting: EMA_FRAILTY and Demicare+.
Within the meeting’s agenda, THCS was first introduced to national LTC coordinators by ProMIS representatives, who outlined the Partnership’s structure, objectives, and funding mechanisms, and emphasised its role in supporting LTC transformation across Europe.
This was followed by presentations from the two selected THCS-funded projects.
- Mr Francisco Flores Rivera (AmI4AHA, University of Alicante) presented EMA_FRAILTY, funded under THCS JTC 2024, which focuses on early detection and intervention for frailty in older adults using real-time data and ambient assisted living (AAL) technologies. The project aims to shift care from a reactive to a proactive approach, supporting independence and helping reduce institutionalisation.
- Demicare+ (also funded under JTC 2024) was also scheduled to be presented. The project aims to prevent depression among informal caregivers of people with dementia through a mobile app providing self-help guidance, while also facilitating connections with external care services and public health experts. However, due to technical issues, the presentation could not take place during the meeting.
THCS presentation generated strong interest among national LTC coordinators. Participants were encouraged to follow the Partnership and explore its work through the THCS Knowledge Hub, its central platform for sharing resources and good practices, supporting capacity building, connecting key stakeholders, and promoting evidence-based transformation of health and care systems.
Overall, the meeting reaffirmed that THCS priorities closely align with those highlighted by DG EMPL (as well as DG SANTE), including the expansion of home-based care, stronger support for informal carers, and the responsible use of digital solutions to improve long-term care.