A Week of Regional Health Collaboration in Cardiff
Last week, EUREGHA members from across Europe gathered in Cardiff, Wales, for the Annual General Assembly 2025 – an inspiring three-day event of learning, sharing, and collaboration.
Hosted by our Welsh colleagues, the Assembly showcased the power of regional leadership in health and care, bringing together diverse voices, ideas, and solutions to shape the future of health across Europe.
Day 1: Learning from Welsh Innovation
The Assembly opened with a warm welcome from the Welsh Government, followed by a deep dive into the Welsh health system and its efforts to create a more inclusive and effective model of governance.
Members then embarked on an inspiring site visit tour, exploring:
- The Senedd (Welsh Parliament), where health policy is shaped and new reforms aim to address historical underrepresentation
- The Wales Genomic Health Centre, leading in cutting-edge genomics and precision medicine
- The Ringland Health & Wellbeing Centre, a model of integrated, person-centred community care
These visits brought policy to life, showing how innovation, data, and care intersect in the regions.
Day 2: Strategy, Exchange, and New Directions 💬
Day 2 focused on EUREGHA’s strategic direction, starting with the formal General Assembly meeting. Members welcomed new regions to the network, shared key updates, and elected a new Executive Board for 2025:
- Andrea Pavlickova (International Engagement Manager, Technology Enabled Care & Digital Healthcare Innovation Division – NHS National Services Scotland / The Scottish Government) – EUREGHA Chair & Treasurer
- Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea (Director of Health Research and Innovation, Ministry for Health – Basque Country) – EUREGHA Vice-Chair
- Elisabeth Bräutigam (Board Member, Health Agency of Lower Austria & Responsible for the Healthacross Initiative – Lower Austria) – EUREGHA Vice-Chair
- Karl Landergren(Medical Director – Region Östergötland) – EUREGHA Board Member
- Solvejg Wallyn (Policy Officer – Responsible for International Affairs in Health and Care, Department of Care Flemish Government) – EUREGHA Board Member
- Emma Spear (Deputy Director, Office of the Director General Health & Social Care / NHS Wales Chief Executive – Welsh Government) – EUREGHA Board Member
A highlight of the day was an inspiring keynote from Marie Brousseau-Navarro, Deputy Future Generations Commissioner of Wales 🌱, who challenged us to think long-term, act today, and embed sustainability into every health policy decision.
The afternoon workshop, delivered in collaboration with the Flemish Government, explored the potential of health data and behavioural and cultural insights (BCI) in transforming community care. Members exchanged practices, reflected on trust and transparency, and discussed how data can empower more equitable and effective health systems.
The day ended with strategic reflections on EUREGHA’s priorities for 2025–26: a collective commitment to drive forward collaboration on digital health, community care, mental health, and cross-border synergies.
Day 3: Bilateral Momentum & Next Steps
Even after the formal agenda, EUREGHA members continued working together in Cardiff, engaging in bilateral meetings to explore potential collaborations on EU-funded projects. Discussions covered key topics such as implementation research, the European Health Data Space (EHDS), mental health, and more.
This energy and momentum underscore what makes EUREGHA unique: a dynamic, engaged network of regional leaders, working side by side to co-create solutions for Europe’s health challenges.
Thank You, Cardiff!
A heartfelt thank you to our Welsh colleagues for their warm hospitality and to every member who joined us for #AGA2025. From site visits to strategy sessions, each moment reaffirmed the value of regional collaboration in health.
Together, we are stronger — and together, we’ll keep working for healthier, more resilient regions across Europe.
Stay tuned for the report and the Video from our General assembly !
