STAYHLTH-01 | Finnish RDI Partner – Inclusive Health and Social Care, Co-creation and Impact Evaluation

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak), Finland – Seeking Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Consortium Partnerships

Relevant call: HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-STAYHLTH-01 – Addressing disabilities through the life course to support independent living and inclusion.

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak) is an experienced research, development and innovation (RDI) partner specialising in social sustainability, health and wellbeing, social innovations and inclusive health and social care services.

Diak is interested in joining international research consortia developing and evaluating innovative, person-centred and community-based approaches that support independent living, participation and inclusion throughout the life course.

Our potential contributions include:

• Inclusive and person-centred services: Co-development of accessible, integrated and community-based health and social care models.

• Participation and co-creation: Engagement of service users, people with disabilities, families, professionals and other stakeholders in research and innovation activities.

• Social innovation: Development and adaptation of innovative practices that strengthen autonomy, participation and social inclusion.

• Implementation and impact evaluation: Assessment of the implementation, effectiveness, transferability and societal impact of new service models and interventions.

• Professional competence development: Supporting health and social care professionals in adopting inclusive and evidence-informed practices.

• Cross-sectoral collaboration: Connecting health and social care, education, civil society and public sector actors to support sustainable implementation.

Diak combines multidisciplinary applied research with strong connections to professional practice and service development. We implement approximately 70 externally funded projects annually with national and international partners.

Partnership sought

We are looking for universities, research organisations, healthcare providers, public authorities and other organisations preparing Horizon Europe proposals under STAYHLTH-01.

Diak is particularly interested in contributing as a research and implementation partner, bringing social sciences perspectives, participatory methodologies and expertise in evaluating the societal impact of innovative health and social care solutions.

We welcome opportunities to discuss potential collaboration and complementary roles within emerging consortia.