The PHArA-ON project concluded in November 2024. It aimed to support Europe’s ageing population by integrating digital services, devices, and tools into open platforms. Tested across six pilot sites in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, it addressed critical challenges, enhancing independence, safety, and quality of life for older adults while ensuring ethical data use and privacy standards.

Overview of Project Achievements

The project delivered several significant outcomes, including the identification of Key Exploitable Results (KERs) that span methodologies, know-how, and software solutions. This comprehensive approach highlights PHArA-ON’s commitment to addressing both immediate technological challenges and long-term systemic improvements, ensuring practical and sustainable impact. Among the main results are the CWA 18123 “Guidelines on Action Research for Large Scale Piloting, CWA 17933 Digital health innovations – Good practice guide for obtaining consent for the use of personal health”, and the Interoperability Solution, which connects different care systems and tools by standardising data exchange and enabling seamless integration. These results were selected as key innovations from the project based on criteria such as innovation, exploitability, and market impact.

Technical KERs were designed to address specific technological challenges and aim mainly for commercialisation. However, these solutions often faced hurdles in reaching higher technology readiness levels (TRLs) within the project’s timeline and integrating with existing infrastructures. In contrast, methodology and know-how KERs, focused on establishing best practices, driving knowledge dissemination, and supporting systemic, long-term benefits. Together, these categories complement one another by driving technological advancements while ensuring alignment with broader, best-practice frameworks, enhancing the project’s overall relevance and impact.

Exploring Ways to Exploit Results

The PHArA-ON project identified four primary exploitation routes to maximise the impact of its results:

• Commercialisation: This route is used when results can be applied in the market, creating new products, services, or business opportunities. It is particularly suited for technical solutions that address specific technological needs and have strong potential for adoption by industry stakeholders.
• Scientific Research: This route supports further research and development, driving innovation in the scientific community. Methodological frameworks often align with this pathway as they provide foundational insights and tools for future advancements.
• Networks, associations, initiatives, policy groups: This pathway is designed for results that can influence policies, shape initiatives, and foster collaboration across sectors. Know-how and best practices are commonly utilised here to ensure systemic benefits and alignment with broader societal goals.
• Educational: Results that support training and educational purposes are well-suited for this pathway. They build capacity by disseminating knowledge and skills, ensuring that advancements are broadly understood and applied.

The different KERs from the project align with these routes, reflecting their diverse potential for impact. Technical solutions primarily align with commercialisation, while methodologies and frameworks often focus on scientific and policy-related applications. Educational pathways ensure the broad dissemination of project knowledge, creating a foundation for future innovations.

Knowledge Transfer

Knowledge transfer played a pivotal role in sustaining the project’s impact. This process ensured that the knowledge, skills, and competencies generated during the project were effectively shared and utilised by stakeholders who could create value from them. A key aspect of this was the collection of success stories from project partners. These stories captured specific achievements and milestones, demonstrating the tangible benefits and applications of PHArA-ON’s results.

Success stories were organised into five categories: technical, legal, business, professional development, and academic. They highlighted how the project facilitated advancements such as technological innovation, regulatory compliance, new commercial opportunities, workforce development, and integration into academic programmes. These examples showcased PHArA-ON’s multi-dimensional impact and its ability to drive progress across diverse sectors.

Looking Ahead

As PHArA-ON concludes, its outcomes are set to influence future digital health innovations. By balancing technical advancements with robust frameworks and effective knowledge transfer, the project ensures its results are scalable, sustainable, and impactful. Additionally, the key exploitable results illustrate how technology and best practices can work together to create inclusive, adaptable health and care systems for Europe’s ageing population. Through this legacy, PHArA-ON sets the stage for continued advancements in the field of digital health.

Links

https://www.cencenelec.eu/media/CEN-CENELEC/CWAs/RI/2024/cwa18123_2024.pdf

https://www.cencenelec.eu/media/CEN-CENELEC/CWAs/RI/cwa17933_2023.pdf

https://www.pharaon.eu/

https://twitter.com/PharaonProject

http://fb.me/pharaon.project

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQEJv9C3T–xLXCldYaBWeQ

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pharaonproject/

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12335464/

Keywords

older adults, active ageing, exploitable results, healthcare, innovation, knowledge transfer, digital health, sustainability, impact