BeWell – A Skills Strategy for Europe’s health and care workforce
Programme: Erasmus+
Project Status: CONCLUDED (July 2022-June 2026)
What aims and scope
Health systems are only as strong as the people who work in them. Digital technologies and the green transition will not transform care on their own. The future of European health systems depends on preparing both today’s workforce and the next generation with the skills needed to lead that transformation.
BeWell was created to help Europe do exactly that. Led by EHMA, the initiative developed the first European Skills Strategy for the upskilling and reskilling of the health and care workforce, providing a shared roadmap for the digital and green transition. At the same time, BeWell invested directly in today’s workforce through pilot training programmes and practical learning resources, ensuring that the project delivered immediate benefits while laying the foundations for long-term workforce transformation through the Large-scale Partnership for the Health Ecosystem.
How it became possible
BeWell was built on collaboration. Rather than developing solutions in isolation, the project brought together healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, professional organisations, industry, researchers and health managers from across Europe to shape the future of the health workforce together.
The initiative combined research with extensive consultation, testing and continuous dialogue. Different perspectives were brought together, assumptions challenged, ideas tested in practice and refined collaboratively. This approach ensured that the Skills Strategy reflected not only European ambitions but also the realities of implementation across diverse health systems.
BeWell did not stop at producing a Strategy. It developed competence matrices, a Skills Monitor, policy recommendations, 25 pilot training courses and the Large-scale Partnership for the Health Ecosystem under the Pact for Skills. Together, these outputs transformed BeWell from a project into a practical framework that organisations can continue to use to strengthen their workforce and collaborate long after the project has ended.
Where EHMA delivered
EHMA brought together organisations from across Europe to build a shared vision for the future of the health and care workforce.
Drawing on our network of health managers, universities, healthcare organisations, policymakers and researchers, we ensured that the Strategy reflected both European priorities and the realities of managing health systems. Throughout the project, EHMA members contributed their expertise through consultations, validation activities, pilot actions and conference discussions, while benefiting from opportunities to showcase their work, exchange experience and shape Europe’s future workforce agenda.
Beyond the project itself, we continue to promote the Skills Strategy through EHMA’s conferences, policy activities and the Large-scale Partnership for the Health Ecosystem, ensuring that the knowledge, relationships and momentum created through BeWell continue to benefit the wider European health management community.
How to get involved
The work of BeWell continues through the Pact for Skills Large-scale Partnership for the Health Ecosystem. Bringing together healthcare providers, education and training organisations, higher education and vocational education institutions, public authorities, industry, labour market actors and research organisations, the Partnership provides a platform for collaboration on the future of health workforce development across Europe.
By joining the Partnership, your organisation becomes part of a growing European community committed to strengthening digital, green and transversal skills, sharing good practice and supporting the implementation of the European Skills Strategy for the Health Ecosystem. More than 70 organisations have already joined the initiative.
Become part of the movement!
Follow our step-by-step registration guidance and use registration number 1034 to join.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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View MoreWhat our Members say
I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.
Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy
Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.
Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.
Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta
EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.
Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK
Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.
Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary
As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.
Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal
Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.
Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK
Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.
Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain