The ERA-ENVHEALTH Project: Coordination of National Environment and Health Research Programmes–Environment and Health ERA-NET

Abstract

ISEE-0094 Background and Objectives: Reducing uncertainties about the links between environment and health (E&H) and taking action through protection and prevention measures is necessary. For these to be effective, cooperation must be improved and research driven by a common set of priorities. ERA-ENVHEALTH, co-funded by the European Commission under FP7 “Coordination Actions”, enhances European coordination of environment and health research programming. Methods: The project started in September 2008 with 16 E&H research programmers from 10 countries. To establish sustainable collaboration, an integrated step-by-step approach is implemented to evaluate methods, define priority themes and respond to these through joint activities and transnational calls. The originality of ERA-ENVHEALTH is that a first call for proposals was launched simultaneously to experiment joint funding and fully assess its implementation. Results: Better collaboration means avoiding duplication of financial and scientific effort, shared understanding of priority issues, greater access to information and experts, better use of resources to provide answers to common problems and developing common approaches. After a year, ERA-ENVHEALTH has developed a shared vision and improved exchange of knowledge and expertise between countries through access to data at European level (website, expert and research programme databases). The consortium is analysing the collected data and identifying common research priorities. Also, a transnational joint call, funded by three partners, was successfully launched on: “Health vulnerability resulting from future climate change impacts on soil-water ecosystems, land use and water resources at regional scale” and two projects selected for funding. Conclusion: ERA-ENVHEALTH will bring dynamism to E&H research in Europe by promoting collaboration and fostering innovative ideas and increase its visibility as a key area. With the development of new programmes and changes to existing ones, the consortium expects an increase in the diversity of disciplines involved in research and in multinational projects.