A partner meeting on the EQUICARES project was held in Veliko Tarnovo

On June 4, a partner meeting on the international project EQUICARES was held in Veliko Tarnovo. It was attended by 28 representatives of partner organizations from different countries, who gathered to discuss the progress of the project, upcoming activities and the next steps in its implementation.

The meeting was held in the BIC hall of the 5th building of the Veliko Tarnovo University “St. Cyril and Methodius” and lasted all day – from 09:00 to 19:00. For partners who were unable to attend on site, an online connection was also provided via Zoom, which allowed for wider inclusion in the discussions.

During the meeting, the leaders of the individual work packages presented the current progress of the project and the main tasks for the next period. Topics discussed included the organization of pilot activities, the preparation of the clinical study, the development of the citizen science approach, WP3 activities, communication and dissemination of results, as well as the creation and development of Smart Health Labs.

Special emphasis was placed on the role of Smart Health Labs as spaces through which the project aims to bring mental health topics closer to people and communities. In Bulgaria, this idea is presented more accessiblely as “Meetings and Support” — places for conversation, trust, sharing experiences and searching for solutions that are tailored to real needs at the local level.

During the discussions, the partners also discussed the preparation of a clinical study within the project, including the need for good coordination between the pilot partners, ethical procedures and practical steps for implementation. Attention was also paid to citizen science activities, through which people from the communities will be able to participate more actively in collecting information, sharing experiences and formulating solutions.

An important part of the meeting was also related to project communication — how the results, messages and activities can reach different audiences in an understandable way: specialists, institutions, local communities, young people, parents, mediators and other stakeholders. Participants discussed the need for non-stigmatizing language, a practical approach and messages that are close to people’s daily experiences.

The partnership meeting in Veliko Tarnovo was an important step in coordinating the next activities of EQUICARES. It provided an opportunity for the exchange of experiences between partners, clarification of the upcoming tasks and a better connection between the research, practical and community work of the project.