On 16–17 June 2025, MELIORA partners gathered in Stockholm, Sweden for the project’s second consortium meeting. Hosted at the Karolinska Institutet, the two-day meeting brought together researchers, clinicians, technologists, communication experts, and patient representatives to assess progress and shape the next stages of this Horizon Europe-funded initiative.
MELIORA’s mission is clear: to promote healthy behaviours and reduce breast cancer risk through sustainable lifestyle interventions supported by artificial intelligence. The meeting offered a platform to review the ongoing work across all eight work packages and ensure smooth coordination ahead of the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) scheduled to launch later this year.
After introductory remarks from the project’s coordinators Harokopio University of Athens (HUA), the meeting started with updates from WP3, led by SWPS University, highlighting key findings from the situation analysis and co-creation workshops conducted across Greece, Lithuania, Spain, and Sweden. These insights are shaping MELIORA’s implementation strategy, detailed in Deliverable 3.2, which outlines 27 tailored recommendations based on the ERIC framework.
Building the Foundation: Data Collection Campaigns
A major milestone has been the ongoing Data Collection Campaigns (DCCs), presented by CERTH. Across the four implementation countries, pilot users have begun engaging with the MELIORA Virtual Coach app. Despite some technical hiccups, feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly constructive, helping the team refine the intervention ahead of the upcoming trials.
From Prototype to Practice: Technical Development and App Features
The project’s digital tools, including both the standard and light versions of the MELIORA app, are well into development. CERTH and other technical partners presented the app’s main features—goal setting, daily tips, quizzes, educational resources, and a conversational agent. New app versions are being fine-tuned for the third DCC and RCTs, with improvements based on user analytics and testing data.
One highlight of the meeting was an interactive workshop where participants tested the Virtual Coach using real-world scenarios. These case studies sparked insightful discussions on the platform’s usability, inclusivity, and cultural relevance.
Tailored Content and Co-Design
INCLIVA and EUFIC presented the educational courses and SOPs being developed under WP4. These include behaviour-specific modules on physical activity, nutrition, alcohol, and smoking, all co-designed with input from patients, healthcare professionals, and researchers. The materials will be available in six languages, ensuring broad accessibility.
The evaluation framework shared by PredictBy and presented by HUA (WP6) combines process, impact, and cost-effectiveness indicators. From usability testing and behavioural outcomes to advanced modelling of scalability, the tools are designed to provide robust evidence on MELIORA’s effectiveness and sustainability.
Looking Ahead: Implementation, Dissemination, and Cluster Synergies
HUA walked partners through the detailed RCT protocols that will test MELIORA’s effectiveness among healthy women at risk, breast cancer patients, and survivors, while EHMA led the discussion on dissemination progress, including social media metrics, newsletters, and the engagement of the Stakeholder and Policy Advisory Board (SPAB). Exploitation strategies and and IPR management were also addressed during this session, during a presentation led by ETICAS. Additionally, the updated publication policy and authorship guidelines were shared to support the upcoming wave of scientific outputs.
The meeting also included updates on MELIORA’s work within the “Prevention & Early Detection – Behavioural Change” cluster, which connects MELIORA with the iBeChange and SUNRISE projects to maximise policy impact and public engagement.
What’s Next?
With the groundwork laid and tools nearly finalised, the focus now shifts to the full implementation of the intervention and the upcoming trials. Stay tuned for more updates as MELIORA continues to bridge innovation, behavioural science, and digital health for the benefit of women across Europe!
