The Social Prescribing–EU (SP-EU) project (https://social-prescribing.eu/) continues to advance collaboration across Europe to strengthen the evidence base and implementation of social prescribing within health and community care systems. By bringing together research institutions, healthcare organisations, and policy stakeholders, SP-EU aims to support person-centred care and address social determinants of health through structured referral pathways to community resources. The project is coordinated by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, and features the participation of over 20 partners from across various European countries.
The SP-EU 2nd General Assembly (GA) took place in Göttingen, Germany, from 18–20 February 2026, providing an opportunity for partners to review progress, share research developments, and coordinate next steps. The programme reflected the project’s multidisciplinary scope, including parallel sessions on randomized controlled trial (RCT) methodologies and qualitative research, as well as discussions on a logic model for social prescribing and a “green social prescribing” pilot activity. Governance topics, publication policy, and open science structures were addressed during the formal GA session, while dissemination planning and lessons learned discussions focused on maximising impact and future implementation.
The meeting also emphasised dissemination and future planning, with dedicated sessions on communication strategies and lessons learned to inform activities in 2026 and beyond.
WONCA Europe’s engagement
WONCA Europe is among the organisations following and supporting developments within SP-EU. Its involvement reflects a shared interest in strengthening community-oriented primary care and improving responses to social determinants of health. WONCA Europe’s participation in this project is being coordinated by Aaron Poppleton.
Through its professional networks and educational activities, WONCA Europe contributes to awareness and knowledge exchange related to social prescribing and its relevance for primary care. This engagement helps ensure that emerging evidence and experiences are accessible to family doctors and primary care teams across Europe.
The WONCA Europe Special Interest Group on Social Prescribing and Community Orientation contributed significantly to the meeting's success through the active involvement of its members: Wolfram J. Herrmann, Joyce Kenkre, Ferdinando Petrazzuoli, Josep Vidal-Alaball, Thomas Kloppe, Juan Manuel Mendive, and Donata Kurpas.
Relevance for primary care
Social prescribing is gaining recognition as a complementary approach to traditional medical care, particularly in addressing loneliness, mental wellbeing, chronic disease management, and health inequities. SP-EU’s ongoing work aims to provide evidence, practical tools, and policy insights adaptable across diverse European health systems.
The Göttingen General Assembly highlighted continued progress and collaboration among partners working to embed social prescribing into health systems. Ongoing dialogue between researchers, practitioners, and professional organisations will be important to support sustainable implementation and ensure relevance for everyday primary care practice.