EUREGHA and ERRIN brought together regional representatives and stakeholders for a joint online meeting on strengthening the integration of regional and local cancer ecosystems into National Cancer Mission Hubs (NCMHs). Co-organised by EUREGHA’s Cancer Working Group and ERRIN’s Health Working Group, the session explored how stronger multi-level collaboration can support the implementation of the EU Cancer Mission, connecting cancer research, innovation and care delivery across Europe.
The meeting focused on the role of ECHoS Phase Two, the continuation of the ECHoS project, in strengthening links between national structures and regional cancer ecosystems. Through interactive discussions, participants explored pathways for regional integration, opportunities for collaboration and approaches to monitoring regional engagement and impact.
Hugo Soares, Science Manager at AICIB and ECHoS Coordinator, introduced the evolution from ECHoS Phase One to ECHoS Phase Two, outlining the project’s achievements, future objectives and the development of National Cancer Mission Hubs, including 17 formally recognised hubs and plans for further expansion.
From Regional Integration to Impact
At the heart of the meeting was an interactive regional integration workshop, where participants used a Miro board to exchange experiences and co-design pathways for connecting regional cancer ecosystems with NCMHs.
The discussion highlighted the importance of building on existing networks rather than creating parallel structures, adapting approaches to different national and regional contexts, and ensuring that regional actors have meaningful opportunities to contribute. Experiences from Finland, Belgium and Romania illustrated different approaches, from aligning national cancer strategies with regional activities to strengthening existing networks and developing bottom-up initiatives for cancer prevention.
A second interactive discussion focused on developing key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor regional engagement and assess its contribution to ECHoS Phase Two. Participants highlighted the need to go beyond measuring project activities, considering indicators such as regional awareness of NCMHs, formal engagement mechanisms and the integration of regional needs into national cancer policies.
The insights gathered during the workshop will inform the project’s next steps, supporting the development of more effective and sustainable connections between national and regional cancer ecosystems.
Live Collaboration
Speakers’ Highlights
The fight against cancer cannot be limited to healthcare professionals and researchers. It is a collective effort that requires the involvement of patients, citizens, policymakers, regulatory authorities, industry, employers and the education sector. Prevention starts with education, and improving quality of life requires awareness of how different sectors impact our health. We must work together, across all sectors of society, to make a meaningful difference.
Hugo Soares, Science Manager at AICIB and ECHoS Coordinator
We need to ensure that our KPIs and monitoring frameworks go beyond looking good on paper. They must help us create real impact and transformative change, building systems that strengthen the fight against cancer across all levels of governance. Health is inherently place-based, and our approach must reflect this by creating lasting value for both regions and National Cancer Mission Hubs.
Kyle Galea, Project and Policy Manager at ERRIN
One way to measure our success will be to ensure that regional and local authorities are aware of their National Cancer Mission Hubs, understand their work, and have formal mechanisms to engage with them. Our task is to make these connections more concrete and meaningful, building on existing initiatives and ensuring that regional needs are effectively brought to the national level.
Michele Calabrò, Executive Director of EUREGHA
