At the end of September, the ExpoHealthNet Cluster was officially launched in Barcelona under the theme “Pollution, Health and the Power of Synergy.” The event brought together seven innovative EU-funded Horizon Europe projects participants, including representatives from the European Commission and the European Environment Agency.
Kick-Off and Public Launch
Hosted by the ClimAIr project in the heart of Barcelona, the two-day meeting marked a milestone for the newly established cluster, providing the first opportunity for project teams and stakeholders to connect in person and lay the foundations for collaboration.
The first day featured the public launch of the cluster, beginning with policy-focused talks from the European Commission and the European Environment Agency. These sessions highlighted how scientific findings can inform legislation, guide evidence-based policymaking, and contribute to healthier, more sustainable societies.
Each project presented its objectives, research approaches and expected impact, offering a comprehensive view of ExpoHealthNet’s collective mission to understand how environmental pollution and climate change influence non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The day concluded with a dynamic “scientific speed dating” exercise — encouraging researchers to identify common interests, discuss shared challenges and explore opportunities for joint work. The ExpoHealthNet promotional video, available in 17 official languages on the KNEIA YouTube channel, was also premiered during the event.
Working Groups and Next Steps
The second day focused on the activities of the cluster’s three working groups:
Science Translation for Policy and Practice
Data Analysis, Management, and Protection
Communication and Dissemination
These sessions aimed to align strategies, strengthen synergies and define the Scientific Strategy that will guide future collaboration across the cluster. Discussions emphasised how to ensure that ExpoHealthNet’s scientific outputs are translated effectively into practice and policy, maximising the cluster’s real-world impact.
Looking Ahead
Following the kick-off, work is now underway to develop scientific and policy strategies, build joint actions, and coordinate new collaboration opportunities across the projects. The event concluded with a shared commitment to advance research, foster innovation and support evidence-based policymaking for a healthier Europe.
This successful launch marks the beginning of an exciting research alliance with strong potential for high impact in the years to come.
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