About us

European Innovation Alliance on Healthy Living

At NEST (Co-Creating a NEw Form of Governance in Societal Transition for Healthy Living), we believe that healthy living should be possible for everyone. That is why we bring together partners from education, research, business and society to tackle complex health challenges across Europe.

By connecting our work to real-life education and practice, we strengthen the ability of schools, universities and communities to shape a healthier future. Our ultimate goal is a more resilient Europe where healthy living is not just a shared goal but a shared reality.

What we aim for

We want to create long-term, meaningful change. To do that, we are building a Social Innovation Ecosystem for Healthy Living (SIEHL). This ecosystem helps local communities, educators and professionals work together on sustainable solutions that make a real difference.

Together with ten partners from six countries, plus a European network partner from higher education, we explore two key questions:

• How can we sustainably organise a social innovation ecosystem during large societal transitions?
• How can we grow and maintain shared knowledge and action among the many stakeholders involved in healthy living?

What we do

To answer these questions, we work in four international Communities of Practice (iCOP), each focused on one area:

• Social business development
• Engaged community science
• Reflexive monitoring
• Knowledge creation

In these labs, we test ideas, reflect on outcomes, and learn what works. We explore how to share leadership, build strong partnerships and create space for transformative learning.

Learn more about wat we do under Research.

What we deliver

We turn our insights into practical tools and approaches that others can use. Our main results include:

1. A shared framework for action
   A blueprint that shows how educators, researchers, local governments and citizens can work together in long-term partnerships to support healthy living.
2. Insights from international living labs
   We connect international collaboration with local experimentation. This creates real impact for schools, neighbourhoods and public services.
3. Open access learning and teaching materials
   Open tools and training that help people lead change in their own organisations. These materials are used in online courses, classroom teaching and professional training.
4. A virtual learning platform
   An online space where students, professionals and educators can access all our content and learn how to build and sustain a healthy living ecosystem.
5. Integration in existing education
   We want to make sure that our lessons can be embedded into current educational programmes. We will develop frameworks and tools to ensure that HE and VET students and educators bring their knowledge and skills adequately into a SIEHL and vice versa.
6. Knowledge-sharing formats for local networks
   We want the materials from NEST to connect with local learning networks to spread effective approaches and grow a lasting alliance for healthy living across Europe.