As part of its commitment to understanding and supporting health and care ecosystems, and as a part of THCS Work Package 9 (WP9), Sanna Tuurnas and Sofi Perikangas from Tampere University have embarked on an exploratory roadtrip in Europe to delve deeper into the topic of regional health and care ecosystems. This initiative is structured to support three key workstreams: peer learning, analytical mapping of existing transformative ecosystems, and showcasing inspiring models of health and care ecosystems.
To date, WP9, in collaboration with its partners, have gathered 28 case descriptions of regional ecosystems across Europe. These cases form the foundation for an analytical framework for detecting transformative elements in the ecosystems. The elementsencompassedd ten core dimensions,includings sustainability, cross-sectoral collaboration, user integration, strategic alignment, and systemic impact. This methodology supports a comprehensive understanding of how ecosystems achieve transformation at the local and regional level.
In early 2025, two case studies, Mooi Maasvallei in the Netherlands and TreC Trento in Italy, were selected for in-depth analysis through site visits. These exploratory missions aimed to identify the key enabling factors behind regional transformation and ecosystem development.
The Mooi Maasvallei visit included meetings with 20 ecosystem actors and was supported by ZonMW. Through interviews, group discussions, and on-site presentations, the team examined how the Positive Health philosophy, focusing on individual adaptation and resilience, has become a shared mindset across stakeholders. From general practitioners to municipal leaders and hospital managers, the ecosystem reflects a strong sense of urgency and ownership, rooted in bottom-up initiatives that have grown to include employment and social policies alongside health and care.
The TreC Trento visit, with the participation of ProMIS, included engagements with 23 local actors. The Trento ecosystem is built around a culture of experimentation, supported by the Autonomous Province and regional stakeholders. The TreC platform promotes citizen-centred digital health solutions with ambitious goals in prevention and empowerment, especially in sparsely populated areas. A strong commitment to co-creation and experimentation emerged as a defining feature of this ecosystem.
Across both cases, a recurring theme was the essential role of people: from strategic leaders to frontline staff and even volunteers, all levels of the ecosystem demonstrated a clear dedication to sustainable transformation. The importance of shared vision, active participation, and local leadership was consistently underlined throughout the roadtrip.
These initial learnings will be further elaborated at the Transformative Ecosystem Arena during the Together4Health event in Aalborg (September 2025), where ecosystem actors from Mooi Maasvallei and TreC will share their stories directly with participants. WP9 will support this dialogue by highlighting success factors and facilitating cross-regional learning.
In parallel, WP9 continues its work through the Transforming Health and Care Systems webinar series and the Forerunner Ecosystems Working Group (FTE-WG). In June, the webinar featured the Paediatric Palliative Care Unit (PPCU) at Miguel Servet Hospital in Aragon (Spain) has been an inspiring example of digitally connected, equity-focused integrated care model.
By continuing to showcase and connect diverse transformative ecosystems, WP9 is fostering a European learning community for health and care innovation, one where collaboration, evidence, and local ownership drive the path forward.