EQUICARES 2^nd Project Meeting in Istanbul

On June 12–13, 2025, the EQUICARES consortium held its second project meeting in Istanbul, hosted by Koç University at the Postane venue. The hybrid event brought together partners from across Europe to review progress and plan the next steps in enhancing access to mental health and care services for people in vulnerable situations.

The meeting began with a reflection on the achievements of the first six months, including milestones reached, deliverables submitted, and key performance indicators tracked. Throughout the two days, participants engaged in a series of thematic sessions and collaborative workshops to coordinate upcoming research, pilot activities, and community engagement efforts.

A key focus of the meeting was the development of a robust framework to assess barriers in mental health service accessibility. Partners discussed challenges at different levels—policy, service systems, and local contexts—while also advancing the design of an inclusive assessment tool. An interactive session explored how the Levesque Framework can help map accessibility dimensions across Europe.

In parallel, partners exchanged knowledge on how to identify and evaluate promising mental health innovations, from community-driven solutions to digital practices. They shared plans to map innovative services across pilot regions using digital ethnography and discussed how insights from other countries can inform more inclusive approaches.

The consortium also laid the groundwork for the implementation of “Smart Health Labs” in pilot areas—collaborative spaces where communities will co-design mental health and care solutions. A dedicated training session was held to guide partners through the ethics and approval processes required for these local interventions.

Discussions also covered how EQUICARES will ensure the long-term impact of its results, through effective communication, collaboration with other initiatives, and the creation of tools and strategies to support sustainability and policy uptake.

With continued commitment from all partners, EQUICARES is well-positioned to deliver real-world impact and promote more inclusive, accessible, and innovative mental health systems across Europe.

The EQUICARES consortium remains committed to shaping inclusive, data-informed solutions that strengthen mental health systems and ensure equitable access for all.