3rd LSP Health Ecosystem Workshop in Brussels: Funding the Future of Skills in Europe’s Health and Care Workforce

On 19 November in Brussels, the Health Ecosystem LSP convened in Brussels for its third in-person workshop, kindly hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive Office. The event brought together members of the LSP to discuss the evolving skills needs of Europe’s health and care workforce and explore strategies to strengthen the sector in line with the Pact for Skills.
The workshop focused on three key themes: funding pathways and opportunities, practical implementation of funding, and rethinking models for long-term skills development and respective financial support. Across three panels, participants examined a wide range of funding sources—from Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, EU4Health, Digital Europe, Interreg, ESF, to private foundations—and agreed that EU-level coordination is critical for scaling impactful skills initiatives.
Discussions also highlighted areas for improvement, such as the need for more manageable co-funding rates, simplified procedures, clearer timelines, and a more precise definition of innovation in EU programming documents, which could further enhance the reach and sustainability of projects.
Participants explored potential solutions, such as simplifying application processes, clarifying eligibility criteria, building synergies between EU and national funds, and improving interoperability and continuity of funding both in the short and long term.
LSP Members also reviewed progress on the BeWell Skills Strategy Public Consultation, setting the stage for its final release in 2026. The workshop provided a platform for rich exchanges, shared learning, and a collective commitment to developing a resilient, skilled, and future-ready European health workforce.
A detailed report from the workshop will be shared with LSP Members in January 2026.