#HealthCities European Approaches to Developing Medical Innovations

As part of the project “Health and Life sciences industries’ growth through cities alliances (Health Cities)”, implemented within the Interreg Europe program, a team from Ivano-Frankivsk participated in a study visit to Utrecht (Netherlands).

Here, the healthcare ecosystem is not a collection of isolated initiatives, but rather a coordinated interaction between the city, science, business, and innovation. It is precisely this approach that enables the creation of solutions that truly improve people’s quality of life.

During three days, participants learned how the Life Sciences & Health ecosystem is being built and developed in the Utrecht region: from strategic management and collaboration to tools for attracting and retaining talent. On the agenda: a visit to Utrecht City Hall and an introduction to the activities of the Utrecht International Center and the Utrecht Convention Bureau, which play a vital role in fostering international cooperation and attracting events.

A special focus was placed on Utrecht Science Park as one of Europe’s key innovation hubs, bringing together universities, research centers, companies, and startups. Participants will also explore the infrastructure of innovation spaces (including Plus Ultra Utrecht), startup support through UtrechtInc, and examples of how scientific research is transformed into clinical and commercial solutions in the medical field.

An important part of the visit is participation in the Zorg & ICT Fair — one of the largest events in the field of medical technology — which demonstrates how large-scale events can accelerate innovation, foster partnerships, and strengthen the development of the ecosystem.

The study visit also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences with European partners, discuss approaches to ecosystem development, and establish new professional contacts.

“Health and Life sciences industries’ growth through cities alliances (Health Cities)” project is implemented under the Interreg Europe Program, funded by the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author. The management of the Interreg Europe Program is not responsible for any information contained in this publication

https://www.interregeurope.eu/health-cities