On 19 September, the project leaders of the 10 funded projects in the HealthEquity Call will meet in Bonn for a joint kick-off meeting. In addition to discussing the projects that have just started, the meeting will also focus on networking with stakeholders and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).

HealthEquity was the first call published in December 2022 as part of the new ERA4Health partnership co-funded by the European Union. In it, 19 funders from 17 countries have joined forces to initiate research projects that develop novel strategies and targeted approaches to identify, understand, and modify determinants and mechanisms of diet-related behaviour and physical activity as well as sedentary behaviour. Research results should help to break through the cycles maintaining unhealthy behaviours and lifestyles and to reduce health inequalities.

In a competitive evaluation process, the ten most promising transnational consortia were selected to receive around 13 million euros of funding in total for three years. The first projects were launched at the beginning of 2024 and we are delighted that the project leaders are now meeting in person for the first time in Bonn.

In addition to the scientific exchange among each other, interactive formats will be used to intensively exchange ideas with members of the Strategic Advisory Board (EuroHealthNet, FENS, ISBNPA) of ERA4Health on the optimal use of research results in practice. The requirements for responsible research and innovation (RRI) and Ethics will also be discussed in close personal contact with Ellen-Marie Forsberg. An expert of the ERA4Health partnership, Jessy Claeys, will be available to answer questions and provide suggestions on science communication.

The kick-off meeting will be organised by the Joint Call Secretariat at the DLR Project Management Agency (DLR-PT), Germany. Funding organisations, additional experts and project staff have the opportunity to participate in the kick-off in an online format.

List of Projects

• B-challenged,”B-challenged: A multi-actor approach in creating safe and attractive physical and social environments to promote children’s active outdoor play and healthy dietary”
• CONNECTION,”CO-creating commuNity iNterventions on diEt and physical aCtivity to increase health equiTy in chIldren and adOlesceNts”
• DESERT,”Diet and Exercise Strategies for Equity in Rural Territories.”
  e2-ducass,”e2-ducass digital tool intervention: bringing the health literacy to vulnerable populations for promoting physical activity, healthy diet patterns and mental and cardiovascular health”
• EnRICH_HABITS,”EmpoweRIng Citizens to adopt Healthy lifestyle Habits: A data-enaBled communIty-based ciTizen Science approach”
• ePro-Schools,”ePlatform for Promoting Health in Schools”
• FOODPATH,”FOOD system for policy and PATHway to population heath, for equal population nutrition in Europe”
• IM-EQ,”IMPROVE EQUITY: Implementation of an Innovative Model for Policy Reform towards Obesity preVEntion”
• IMPAQT,”IMproving Physical Activity policies and their impact on health eQuiTy”
• YAHEE,”Young Adults in Health-enhancing Equitable Environments”