The Network for Digital Health Excellence project concludes, leaving stronger foundations for Europe’s digital health transformation

The Network for Digital Health Excellence (NET4DHE) project, an initiative funded under the EU4Health Programme, has officially concluded. Launched in June 2025, the project supported dialogue among key stakeholders from across the digital health ecosystem, with the aim of accelerating the implementation of digital solutions and reinforcing collaboration in support of the European Health Union.

The project strengthened cooperation, knowledge exchange, and policy alignment in digital health across Europe and beyond, through its flagship event, the European Digital Health Summit, held in Madrid on 1–2 December 2025. The event brought together more than 100 European and international stakeholders from policy, industry, academia, healthcare, and civil society.

Designed around four pillars, healthcare systems and workforce, the One Health approach, pharmaceuticals, and digital transformation in health, the Summit provided a forum for exchange and learning among participants. Discussions focused on how digital technologies can strengthen health systems and support the advancement of the European Health Union. Across plenary and breakout sessions, participants explored key priorities including the implementation of the European Health Data Space, artificial intelligence in healthcare, interoperability, cybersecurity, procurement, workforce readiness, and cross-sector data integration.

The Summit called for a shift from policy frameworks to practical implementation, driven by strong governance, readiness, and long-term coordination across Member States.

“The question is no longer whether digital health is the future, but how we organise ourselves to ensure its benefits reach citizens, patients, and healthcare professionals,” said Marco Marsella, Director for ‘Digital, EU4Health and Health Systems Modernisation, at the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) of the European Commission. “Secure, trusted, and interoperable access to health data remains the backbone of digital health.”

As stressed throughout the event, Europe must move beyond fragmented approaches to digital health. Stronger alignment across infrastructure, standards, and interoperability, will be critical to unlocking the full potential of Europe’s digital health transformation.

While NET4DHE formally concludes, its outcomes will continue to inform ongoing European efforts in digital health, including the implementation of key initiatives such as the European Health Data Space. In doing so, the project leaves behind a strengthened platform for collaboration and a clearer shared understanding of the steps needed to support the future of digital health in Europe.