News

From strengthening health surveillance and creating a safer digital environment to developing advanced technologies and improving Europe’s connectivity, discover projects bringing together Irish and European expertise across a wide range of fields.

Meet the HaDEA-managed projects present at Day 3 of the EU Cancer Mission Showcase event

On International day of older persons, learn about JA PRISM's practice Circle of Friends (CoF), addressing loneliness of older adults.

Meet the HaDEA-managed projects present at Day 2 of the EU Cancer Mission Showcase event

The Joint Action JACARDI, co-funded by the EU4Health programme, focuses on the importance of preventing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, identifying risks early and ensuring that interventions reach the right people and communities.

On World Heart Day, discover projects funded under Horizon Europe 'Health' advancing research to alleviate the burden of cardiovascular diseases in Europe.

Discover the HaDEA-managed projects present at Day 1 of the EU Cancer Mission Showcase event (29 September - 1 October).

Across Europe, EU-funded projects managed by HaDEA are contributing to better heart health by developing new tools, testing new approaches and supporting better outcomes for patients.  

Funded under EU4Health and coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) with guidance from the Commission’s Joint Research Centre, the project EUCervScreen QA was tasked with supporting the Initiative on Cervical Cancer.

Tourism is entering a new digital era. Artificial intelligence, data spaces, 3D technologies and extended reality are creating new ways to experience cultural heritage, manage destinations and make tourism more accessible and sustainable.

On WorldLungDay, discover a selection of EU4Health projects supporting lung health in Europe.

While survival rates are improving, rare and high-risk childhood cancers remain challenging to treat. The recently started Horizon Europe projects EPICA-DIPG, THEODORA and PHOENIX are advancing treatment research for rare and high-risk paediatric cancers as part of the EU Cancer Mission.

Health work force planning capacities of European countries are essential to ensure accessibility, sustainability and resilience of healthcare services. Discover how the EU4Health Joint Action (JA) HEROES achieved significant progress in strengthening health workforce planning capacities in the EU.

EU-Canada relations were given renewed prominence in the 2026 State of the Union address, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted plans to further deepen the cooperation, including on the Arctic, energy, critical minerals and batteries.

Improving the diagnosis, treatment and care of childhood cancer is among the priorities highlighted in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Discover EU4Health projects improving care and quality of life for children and their caregivers.

Every year, the European Heritage Days invite millions of people across Europe to discover, celebrate and share the continent’s rich cultural heritage. In 2026, the event takes on a particularly timely theme: “Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine.”

Steel plays a strategic role in the European economy, providing essential inputs to sectors including automotive, construction, electronics and clean technologies. At the same time, the sector faces significant challenges.

Across Europe, periods of extreme heat are becoming an increasingly pressing concern, with unusually high temperatures persisting for days across numerous regions. Discover a selection of projects, managed by HaDEA, that are protecting human health in the context of an increasingly changing climate.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, discover EU actions addressing and preventing suicide

On the occasion of World Field Epidemiology Day, we focus on relevant initiatives managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). 

Under the EU4Health programme, HaDEA managed the Joint Action UNITED4Surveillance, which improved the surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases across the EU/EEA.

The EU4Health project CHIP-AML22 is working to improve treatment outcomes for children with AML by advancing targeted treatments that reduce the level of toxicity and guarantee more equal outcomes across Europe.  

Modern healthcare solutions heavily rely on digital imaging technologies that involve photonics, i.e. illuminating samples by a laser and scanning the light refractions using various photonics sensors to diagnose diseases and develop novel therapies.

The HaDEA 'Advanced materials taxonomy' was developed as a structured framework for analysing and organising projects and topics within the Horizon Europe funding programme (Cluster 4 portfolio).

With an EU contribution of €13 million under the EU4Health programme, CancerWatch Joint Action is identifying opportunities to improve the quality and timeliness of cancer registries data across Europe.

To unlock the value of data for the benefit of Europe’s economy and society, the European strategy for data paved the way for the creation of Common European Data Spaces. Discover a selection of projects, managed by HaDEA, advancing data spaces in health, manufacturing, energy and mobility.

Europe's Beating Cancer Plan emphasises the importance of tobacco control as a key prevention measure. The aim is to reach a "tobacco-free generation", with less than 5% of the population using tobacco by 2040. EU4Health projects such as RELIEF and LAPIN are contributing to reach these objectives.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in EU countries. SOLACE supported the implementation of more equitable and effective lung cancer screening across Europe to detect lung cancer much earlier than the manifestation of symptoms.

On World Hepatitis Day, take a look at a selection of EU4Health projects that are working to decrease the burden of viral hepatisis (HBV and HCV), HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Celebrated every year on 15 July, World Youth Skills Day reminds us of the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, practical skills, and opportunities they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Critical raw materials are the building blocks of Europe's green and digital transition. They are essential for manufacturing the technologies that underpin a climate-neutral economy, from electric vehicle batteries and wind turbines to semiconductors, to medical devices.

Discover a selection of projects, managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), that employ photonics to advance sustainable manufacturing, environmental monitoring and space exploration.

Materials research and engineering in Europe is currently constrained by a highly fragmented data landscape. Critical information is distributed across multiple repositories, platforms, and publications, often with limited standardisation or machine-readable structure.

Rockets. Astronauts. Distant planets. That is what most people picture when they hear "space programme." What they do not picture is their own street. Yet that is increasingly where Europe’s investment in space delivers tangible benefits.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have accelerated the development of agentic and multimodal systems, with applications across sectors including healthcare, research, industry and environmental monitoring.

As Europe's economy and public services become increasingly digital, the technologies that store, process and move data have become strategic assets. Cloud computing now underpins everything from business operations and scientific research to artificial intelligence and public administration.

The Digital Conference “Shaping the Next Digital Frontier” was held on 17–18 June at the Filoxenia Conference Centre in Lefkosia.

The discussion on AI in Europe has now clearly moved from policymaking to implementation. With the AI Act now in force, the focus of the EDIH Summit 2026 was on making sure that SMEs and public administrations can easily access AI infrastructure and turn this into meaningful AI uptake.

On World Brain Tumour Day, discover a selection of projects funded under Horizon Europe advancing health research in brain cancer treatments

Digital twins are making Europe smarter across sectors. Discover a selection of projects, managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency, that are employing digital twin technology across sectors to advance Europe’s green and digital transformation.

The Digital Europe Programme has been a key player in combatting cyberbullying and protecting young children online, notably through an established network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs) that it co-funded. Discover HaDEA-managed projects combatting cyber violence against girls.

On 1-5 June the world’s top researchers and industry leaders will gather in Vienna to share ideas, exchange knowledge, and advance the field of robotics during the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. Several projects funded under Horizon Europe will participate.

Since 2021, 70 cancer projects have been co-funded by the EU4Health programme and launched as part of the EBCP. Out of these, 58 projects address inequalities in prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life and survivorship. Here is a selection of these projects.

The European AI & Cloud Summit 2026, held in Cologne from 5–7 May 2026, focused on the convergence of artificial intelligence, Microsoft Azure, cloud security, and enterprise digital transformation.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day shines a spotlight on the transformative role of digital technologies in connecting people, supporting economies and fostering more inclusive societies. Discover a selection of EU-funded projects that are helping shape Europe’s digital future.

The EU4Health programme co-funds several projects targeting cardiovascular diseases, including stroke as one of the leading causes of death and disability in Europe.

Today, we shine a spotlight on EU-funded, HaDEA-managed projects advancing light-based innovation in advanced materials, energy and manufacturing, while supporting the development of sustainable and competitive industries across Europe

As the European Commission prepares for the adoption of the Advanced Materials Act later this year, the Scientific Advice Mechanism has delivered its advice to the Commission.

Discover three EU4Health projects supporting the development of orphan medical devices for children.

Discover EU-funded projects managed by HaDEA working not only to fight cancer at every stage of the disease, but also to help prevent it by promoting a healthy lifestyle.

On European Mental Health Week 2026, discover a selection of EU-funded projects making mental health a priority.

The EU4Health programme is funding projects that are supporting the implementation of the HTA Regulation and its positive impacts on patients’ lives, by creating training to facilitate the involvement of patients in HTA processes. 

Discover HaDEA-managed projects advancing the integration of girls and women in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

The European Big Data and Data Driven AI research and innovation community will gather on 5-6 May in Oslo, Norway for Data Week 2026. Discover three HaDEA-managed projects participating in the event.

On World Earth Day, the urgency of building a climate-neutral, resource-efficient future has never been more apparent. HaDEA-managed projects AMIGDALA, TRANSIENCE, and CIRAN stand out as prime examples of how science, collaboration, and innovation are shaping Europe’s green future.

On the occasion of European Immunisation Week, discover EU-funded projects working on improving vaccine uptake and literacy and advancing vaccine development.

The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has recently signed two new contracts under the 2025 EU4Health work programme to support the implementation of the new SoHo Regulation and provide administrative support for the implementation of the EHDS as well as future regulations.

Several HaDEA-managed projects will participate in the Eclipse Foundation’s Open Community Experience (OCX), taking place in Brussels from 21 to 23 April 2026.

HaDEA has published the "Advanced Digital Skills (ADS) portfolio under the Digital Europe Programme in 2025". This publication presents key insights and achievements from projects in the field of Advanced Digital Skills, funded under the Digital Europe Programme.

HaDEA is actively contributing to the European AI revolution by funding and managing hundreds of AI-related projects that either develop or apply AI tools. These projects range widely, from applying AI to improve healthcare diagnostics to enhancing earth observation capabilities.

With EU4Health funding in the form of 9 direct grants, 22 EU countries and Norway are setting up a coordinated surveillance system, under a OH approach, for cross-border (zoonotic) pathogens that threaten the EU. This action will strengthen the anticipation of and response to possible health risks.

On World Autism Awareness Day, we look at a selection of EU-funded research projects that are advancing our understanding of neurodevelopmental diversity by exploring genetic, biological and environmental factors. 

i-ESA (Interoperability for Enterprise Systems and Applications) is an international forum that aims to facilitate the development of interoperable enterprise systems across diverse technologies and geographical boundaries. Discover some HaDEA-managed projects that will participate in the event.

The European Commission has launched a first-of-its-kind strategy on intergenerational fairness. Among the initiatives aligned with this agenda are four HaDEA-managed projects that exemplify how research and innovation can build intergenerational resilience.

Every 30 March, we celebrate Zero Waste Day, an occasion that highlights the importance of reducing waste and promoting sustainable production. Discover HaDEA-managed projects making significant strides in achieving zero-waste and zero-defect manufacturing.

Discover HaDEA-managed projects highlighted at the "Safe and Sustainable by Design Networking of Horizon Europe Projects" event.

Every year on 22 March, World Water Day raises awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocates for sustainable management of water resources globally. Discover HaDEA-managed projects delivering technologies for sustainable and efficient industrial water consumption and reuse.

On World Down Syndrome Day, discover two projects funded under Horizon 2020 that have made progress in improving our understanding of Down syndrome and enhancing cognition in individuals living with this condition.

Each year on 18 March, Global Recycling Day seeks to raise awareness about the significance of recycling and the role it plays in the sustainable development of our planet.

On the occasion of Endometriosis Awareness Month, we look back at the EU-funded project FEMaLe, which focused on improving the detection and treatment of endometriosis using machine learning and multi-omics data.

The Open Data Day marks the role of open data and data sharing in the development of society and the use of open data around the world. Discover HaDEA-managed projects advancing European data spaces.

On the occasion of the third anniversary of the i-TRIBOMAT project, HaDEA interviewed Dr. Xavier Borras, industrial engineer and coordinator of the project.

Nowadays, basic digital skills are a precondition for inclusion and participation in the labour market and society. With digital topics at its core, HaDEA manages a large portfolio of projects improving digital skills at all levels and across sectors in Europe.

Thanks to the support of EU funding, several projects across health, space and digital innovation are helping improve women’s wellbeing, expand opportunities and foster inclusive excellence. Here is a short selection of EU-funded projects managed by HaDEA.

On World Obesity Day, discover projects funded under Horizon Europe advancing the understanding, prevention and treatment of obesity.

The Mobile World Congress (MWC), taking place from 2 to 5 March 2026 in Barcelona, is a key event for the global connectivity industry. Discover the HaDEA-managed projects attending the event.

Rare diseases affect over 300 million people worldwide, yet only 6% currently have an approved treatment option. To address this challenge, projects funded under the Horizon Europe ‘Health’ programme conduct research to develop much-needed treatments.

On Rare Disease Day, HaDEA spoke with representatives of the JARDIN Joint Action (JA), Prof. Till Voigtländer and Dr Ursula Unterberger. They explained how the JA is strengthening the work of European Reference Networks (ERNs) by supporting their better integration into healthcare systems in Europe.

Young people nowadays are often described as digital natives — born and raised as netizens and empowered by the vast opportunities that digital technology and social media offer.

HaDEA has just signed three new framework contracts under the 2024 EU4Health Work Programme, on behalf of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), to advance Europe’s preparedness for future influenza threats.

The EU4Health programme is funding a number of projects that address different aspects of paediatric oncology – not only tackling the illness itself but focusing also on the quality of life and emotional wellbeing of affected children and adolescents.

On Safer Internet Day, discover EU co-funded safer internet centres that play a crucial role in promoting online safety by providing educational resources, public awareness tools, and essential counselling and reporting services.

Discover a selection of EU-funded projects managed by HaDEA that are further enhancing the Union’s capabilities to be protected against cyber threats.

On the occasion of World Cancer Day, HaDEA interviewed Marjetka Jelenc, coordinator of the work of the EU4Health Joint Action OriON on National Cancer Control Programmes (NCCPs). Marjetka Jelenc is a medical doctor and PhD and she works as Public Health Specialist and Senior Researcher.

Check out HaDEA-managed projects focused on personalised cancer medicine - an approach where prevention, diagnosis and treatment are tailored to the unique needs of each individual, based on their personal medical history, genetic information and cutting-edge technologies to optimise interventions.

The International Day of Education, celebrated on 24 January, serves as UNESCO's call to acknowledge the important role of education in fostering peace and development. HaDEA, through the Digital Europe Programme, has funded several initiatives that support education.

January is cervical cancer awareness month! The EU4Health project EUCervScreen QA is working on updating the European clinical practice guidelines for cervical cancer prevention and is developing a European Quality Assurance (QA) scheme.

The HaDEA Showcase Event 2026 took place on 19 January 2026 at the Charlemagne Conference Centre in Brussels and online, bringing together around 500 participants on site and close to 150 participants online.

Europe is entering a new era of preparedness. By managing eight major EU funding programmes across areas of health, digital, industry and space, the HADEA supports projects that strengthen the Union’s resilience and capacity to respond to whatever crisis comes next.

On International Day for Epidemic Preparedness, discover HaDEA-managed projects enhancing Europe’s resilience against potential future outbreaks.

In the context of the Digital Europe Programme calls Data Space for Manufacturing and European Digital Media Observatory hubs, HaDEA organised an Info Day on Thursday 18 December 2025. All presentations and the recording from the session are now available below for your reference.

Discover the new Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Industry calls for 2026.

To strengthen EU-wide health threat preparedness and response, the European Commission has recently established three new EU reference laboratories for public health, specialising on food- and water-borne viruses and bacteria and food-, water- and vector-borne helminths and protozoa

On 16 December 2025, HaDEA organised an info session on the call AI Continent (DIGITAL-2026-EDIH-AC-09), funded under the Digital Europe Programme. All presentations and the recording from the session are now available.

The new Joint Action NFP4Health2, to support the EU4Health National Focal Points (NFPs), recently kicked off.

On behalf of the European Commission, HaDEA has signed a contract with a consortium of European companies to develop a groundbreaking diagnostic device that will provide antimicrobial susceptibility results on bacteria within an hour. 

Mental health continues to be a significant public health challenge across Europe. New projects have recently started their work to enhance mental illness prevention and care in the EU, supported by EU funding through the 2024 EU4Health calls for proposals.

Two projects managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) under the Digital Europe Programme (DEP), ManagiDiTH and SUSA, are playing a key role in Europe’s drive to advance digital innovation and reinforce the skills needed to deliver future-ready healthcare services.

New projects funded under the 2024EU4Health calls for proposal aimed at advancing digital healthcare across the EU have recently started.

UnitedXR Europe is taking place in Brussels from 8 to 10 December. XR4ED, a Horizon Europe funded project managed by HaDEA, will participate to the event presenting their educational platform on XR at booth 501 in the exposition area.