THCS’ WP9 (Strengthening Ecosystems) organized a highly interactive workshop on strengthening ecosystems on November 6 and 7, 2024, in Vienna, Austria. The event, hosted by the WP lead partner, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), brought together ecosystem partners, experts, researchers, and funders to explore and deepen their understanding of transformative ecosystems in health and care systems.
The agenda dedicated specific sessions to topics such as identifying ecosystems, value-based business modeling, examples of transformative ecosystems, a preliminary typology of transformative ecosystems, and the way forward in terms of dissemination and learning. Each session included a frontal presentation, followed by group work to facilitate active participation and discussion.
The event showcased a wide variety of ecosystems operating at national, regional, and local levels, as well as diverse approaches to identifying them based on specific interests, criteria, and requirements.
Social entrepreneur Wally Keijzer-Broers presented the results of a Dutch study on transformative ecosystems. She highlighted four selected examples of transformative ecosystems that prioritize the client and support the positive health concept. According to her report, interviewees identified several key features critical to the success of ecosystems, including:
- The in-kind commitment of the partners
- The dedication of individuals involved
- A strong focus on the client
- A willingness to learn
Key insights from the group discussions at the Vienna workshop included:
- Ecosystems are glued together by a thematic focus or a specific aim;
- Local ecosystems allow for changes on the ground;
- Citizens/users/patients representation is essential;
- Public authorities on board the ecosystem increase the potential to create societal impacts;
- Companies have to be involved to guarantee sustainability in terms of transformation of Health and Care Systems;
- The definition of an ecosystem involves understanding the types of stakeholders and the specific subject area, such as digital health or ageing;
- A better ecosystem would amplify impact at partners, users, and societal levels by fostering synergy and efficiency. A shared value approach could enhance this impact by aligning goals across sectors and stakeholders, emphasizing collective benefits and sustained growth;
- Communication is the key;
- THCS can support ecosystems by showcasing good examples.
On the afternoon of 6 November, the conference continued with a keynote presentation by Johan Moyersoen on “Value-Based Business Models to Support Transformation in Health and Care.”
In his address, Mr. Moyersoen highlighted shared value as a critical growth factor, elaborating on the concept of collective impact models. He explained how traditional healthcare systems have primarily focused on creating impact by finding and financing solutions within individual organizations. However, the increasing availability of ICT and health data has paved the way for more personalized and accessible (health)care provision—delivered when and where individuals need it.
To meet these needs effectively, more integrated care pathways are required. These pathways prioritize collaborative efforts across various disciplines and sectors to better address individual needs. By adopting this approach, value is created not only for the individuals involved but also for all participating stakeholders.
In such cross-sector environments, ecosystems play a pivotal role in this context, as they bring together different actors who combine their resources and adopt Long Tail economic thinking to segment offerings. This collaborative approach aims to find tailored solutions for specific target groups, fostering a shared commitment to innovation and transformation in health and care.