Interreg HEALTH4DE-NL
Contact
Project Manager
Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, Groningen
Project team
Project partners
- Academische Werkplaats Mosa
- Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
- Ems-Dollart-Region
- Gemeente Oldambt
- Gesundheitsamt der Stadt Oldenburg
- Gesundheitsamt Landkreis Aurich
- Gesundheitsamt Landkreis Emsland
- Gesundheitsamt Landkreis Leer
- Gesundheitsamt Stadt Emden
- GGD Fryslan
- GGD Groningen
- Niedersächsisches Landesgesundheitsamt
- Provincie Fryslan
- Provincie Groningen
- Rijksuniversiteit Groningen / Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health
- Universitätsklinikum Münster
- Universiteit Maastricht (ITEM)
- University of Twente
Interreg HEALTH4DE-NL
Healthcare without borders – but with obstacles
The German-Dutch border region is a closely interwoven area in which people live and work. Nevertheless, citizens frequently encounter hurdles in their everyday lives when they wish to access healthcare services across the border. Differences in healthcare systems, legal frameworks, language and organisation can make access to care more difficult and lead to inequalities in healthcare provision. At the same time, the border region offers great potential for better, joint use of resources and expertise.
Project lead: Adriana Pérez Fortis Project
duration: 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2029
Funding programme: Interreg VI Germany–Netherlands
Funding: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Specifically, the project objectives are:
- The strategic networking of stakeholders in the healthcare sector, in particular decision-makers, health insurers, hospitals, researchers, healthcare staff and members of the public.
- A systematic analysis of healthcare systems to create a framework for equitable access to healthcare.
- To strengthen the resilience of healthcare systems in the long term by fostering collaboration amongst health authorities.
- To develop events to strengthen public engagement in promoting the transition from institutional to family- and community-based care.
By the end of the project, we will have established a sustainable network, achieved the interlinking of initiatives, and presented an overview of the strengths and challenges of the health systems in the border region. We will draw up evidence-based recommendations that can be implemented in health policy reforms. We will have empowered citizens in the border region to take an active role in their own healthcare.
Our aim: to achieve a more sustainable, fairer and better-coordinated healthcare system in the German-Dutch border region through scientific insights and closer cooperation.
Further information on the Health4DE-NL project can be found here.
Publications
Puhlemann, R., Maharaj, A. D., Homann, A., Pérez Fortis, A., Rajan, D., Mierau, J. O., Pichler, S., Schwettmann, L. (2026). Cross-border healthcare system function, performance and cooperation in Europe: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 1610.1136/bmjopen-2026-117613 [IF 2.500]
