2nd Joint Clinical Workshop
“Brain and Mental Health: Innovation, Equity, and Impact”
EQUICARES / 2D-BioPAD / COMFORTage

Thessaloniki, Greece – 20 March 2026

On March 20th, 2026, the EU-funded projects EQUICARES, 2D-BioPAD and COMFORTage came together to host a joint workshop focused on fostering collaboration and exploring synergies in brain and mental health innovation, equity and impact.

Hosted at the South-East European Research Centre (SEERC) and accessible online the workshop was moderated by Q-PLAN and gathered researchers, technology developers, and healthcare providers to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration on advancing equitable and innovative mental healthcare solutions across Europe.

Presentations were delivered by partners from the participating projects, including EQUICARES and its synergy projects 2D-BioPAD and COMFORTage, along with its sister projects HPV Faster-Implement and SP-EU, highlighting systemic barriers, emerging mega-trends, and inequalities affecting vulnerable populations, alongside broader public health considerations such as underserved groups in preventive care.

A dedicated session on clinical research in EU-funded projects showcased ongoing pilot studies and explored enabling factors and obstacles in implementing research at scale. Contributions emphasised the role of digital technologies, including ICT and social prescribing approaches, in improving access to care for vulnerable communities.

An open discussion session further reinforced the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing persistent gaps in access and ensuring that research outcomes translate into real-world impact. The event concluded with a networking session aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and fostering future partnerships.

The workshop attracted a diverse audience from across Europe both online and onsite, including representatives from organisations such as CERTH, SEERC, European Health Telematics Association (EHTEL), Fundación INTRAS, Ana Aslan International Foundation, Alzheimer Hellas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), ICS-FORTH, European Brain Council (EBC), AUTH, Papanikolaou Hospital of Thessaloniki, CyberEthicsLab, and other key actors from research, healthcare, and innovation ecosystems.

The Joint Clinical Workshop forms part of ongoing efforts under EU-funded projects to bridge research, policy, and practice in mental healthcare. By bringing together diverse expertise, the event contributed to shaping more equitable, resilient, and innovation-driven mental healthcare systems across Europe.