Introduction to the project
The second phase of ECHOS builds on the achievements of ECHOS I, a Horizon Europe-funded initiative that established a network of National Cancer Mission Hubs (NCMHs) in several Member States and Associated Countries. This phase aims to scale up, deepen and sustain the impact of the EU Cancer Mission, which seeks to improve the lives of over 3 million people by 2030 through transformative innovation in prevention, treatment and care.
By expanding the network of NCMHs and strengthening their operational capacity, ECHOS will ensure that the Mission’s objectives are inclusively implemented across Europe. The project will foster collaboration among stakeholders at national, regional, and local levels, promoting innovative approaches to cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship care while enhancing citizen and patient engagement in policy and research.
Project in action
ECHOS will operate through a multi-stakeholder, multi-level approach, leveraging the foundations laid by its first phase. The project will support the creation of new NCMHs in countries not yet covered and provide tailored capacity-building for existing hubs to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability, including through deepening their relationship at the regional and municipal level. It will facilitate peer-learning and best practice exchange among NCMHs, organise national and European policy dialogues to align cancer strategies with the EU Cancer Mission’s goals and engage policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, industry and patient advocates in co-creating solutions.
The project will also host annual European Cancer Mission Fairs to showcase progress and innovations, alongside targeted public awareness campaigns and the development of communication toolkits for local engagement.
ERRIN's role
As a key partner in ECHOS's second phase, ERRIN will play a central role in mobilising regional and local stakeholders to ensure the project’s success and sustainability. ERRIN will mobilise its network of regions, cities, and innovation actors to participate in NCMHs and related activities, advocate for the integration of the regional and place-based dimension in national and European cancer policies and facilitate regional workshops and roundtables to discuss local challenges and opportunities.
ERRIN will also build regional capacity, mainly through the work of its Health Working Group and support the development of regional action plans aligned with the EU Cancer Mission. Furthermore, ERRIN will represent regional interests in European policy discussions, contribute to ERRIN’s policy positions on the EU Cancer Mission and ensure that regional voices are heard in the design and implementation of NCMHs. This will include tailored efforts toward amending the KPIs and monitoring framework of the original ECHOS project towards including regional KPIs that are impact-oriented and fit-for-purpose.
Through ECHOS's second phase, ERRIN will support its broader innovation and cohesion policy goals, ensuring that no region is left behind in the fight against cancer.
Benefits for members and Links with ERRIN’s Working Groups and priorities
Participation in ECHOS offers ERRIN members unique opportunities to connect with NCMHs across Europe, fostering collaboration with leading cancer researchers, clinicians and policymakers. Members will join a community of practice focused on cancer mission implementation, with access to exclusive events, webinars, and resources. They will showcase regional initiatives in cancer prevention, treatment and care at the European level, contribute to shaping EU cancer policies through ERRIN’s advocacy and gain recognition as leaders in health innovation and regional development.
ECHOS II aligns closely with ERRIN’s strategic priorities and the work of its Working Groups. The Health Working Group will be the most clear ERRIN instrument towards enabling ECHOS II’s focus on cancer mission implementation, health innovation and patient-centred care, providing regions with access to EU-wide cancer initiatives and opportunities to shape health policies.
Given the rising importance of key digital technologies in Healthcare and specifically Oncology, the ICT Working Group will promote digital health tools, data sharing and AI in cancer care, helping regions adopt digital solutions to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Finally, the Policy Working Group, through its deep focus and advocacy for the Mission-oriented approach to Research and innovation, will be well-positioned to draw on the key lessons learned and accomplishments of the ECHOS II project to support the development of future initiatives through its policy input.
Latest Updates
- By Kyle Galea
ERRIN deepens its work on the regional dimension of the Cancer Mission with the launch of ECHOS' Phase 2
Deepening it's work on the Cancer Mission and ensuring that the regional dimension is a core part of the EU-level fight against Cancer, ERRIN is proud to have joined the ECHOS consortium for the launch of it's second phase. In partnership with EUREGHA, activities on engaging the place-based dimension have already begun with an online kick-off workshop on regional integration.
- By Kyle Galea
European Cancer Organisation: Join ECO’s Rural Health Workstream
Are you or your organisation concerned with the cancer inequalities affecting people living in rural and remote areas? The European Cancer Organisation invites you to participate in a new collaborative group to advance cancer equity.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
The European Commission publishes the EU Missions mid-term assessment
On 14 September, the European Commission published its mid-term assessment of the EU Missions, highlighting progress across all five Missions and recognising the mission-oriented approach as an effective model for addressing complex societal challenges. For ERRIN, the assessment reinforces the case for maintaining and strengthening the Missions in the next EU long-term budget, while ensuring that the next phase is better equipped to translate research and innovation into deployment, scale-up and territorial impact.