The event brought together experts from five Central European countries and demonstrated once again that collaboration between projects within the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE programme increases impact and supports the effective implementation of results.
The DIGIVITALITY presentation focused on the systemic challenges of market entry, financing, and the long-term sustainability of digital health innovations. While many high-quality digital solutions already exist, their uptake is often limited due to fragmented cooperation, unclear pathways into healthcare systems, and insufficient policy support.
In this context, presenting DIGIVITALITY at the Health Labs4Value conference was highly relevant. While Health Labs4Value focuses on testing and transferring patient-oriented digital solutions through Living Labs and open innovation approaches, DIGIVITALITY complements this by addressing the next stage: how validated solutions can enter healthcare systems, secure sustainable financing, and expand beyond pilot phases.
Together, the two projects illustrated the different interconnected stages of the same innovation pathway, from co-creation and real-life testing to market readiness, policy alignment and sustainable deployment.
The key topics and outputs presented are outlined below:
- Pathways for digital health innovations to enter healthcare systems, supported by the DIGIVITALITY Strategy and its policy and system-level recommendations for Central Europe.
- The conditions for sustainable financing and reimbursement were addressed through strategic guidance and policy insights.
- Strengthening cooperation between start-ups, hospitals, innovation hubs, and policymakers was another topic of discussion. This cooperation is structured within the DIGIVITALITY Digital Health Innovation Playbook.
- Practical tools and knowledge sharing were presented too, and the DIGIVITALITY Healthcare Knowledge Portal will offer access to methods, examples and resources that support the uptake and scaling up of innovation.
The conference demonstrated how complementary Interreg projects can collectively support the entire innovation process, from co-creation and real-life testing to market readiness, financing, and long-term deployment, by showcasing the DIGIVITALITY Playbook, Strategy, and Portal in synergy with Health Labs4Value.