WiSAR Lab at Atlantic Technological University is pleased to announce its participation in CONNECT – Collaboratively OptimisiNg the adoptioN of hEalth Care Technologies, a new Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) project commencing in September 2026.
CONNECT brings together leading academic institutions, healthcare providers and regional organisations from Ireland, Finland and Sweden to improve how digital healthcare technologies are assessed, adopted and implemented across sparsely populated northern regions.
As populations continue to age, healthcare systems in these regions are facing increasing pressure to deliver high-quality care while working with limited resources. Digital health technologies and remote healthcare services have the potential to address many of these challenges, but the adoption of new innovations can often be slow and complex, particularly for smaller hospitals and healthcare centres. At the same time, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing innovative healthcare technologies can face barriers in demonstrating their solutions and engaging with healthcare providers.
The CONNECT project aims to streamline and accelerate the adoption of digital healthcare technologies by supporting more harmonised technology assessment processes and strengthening collaboration between healthcare organisations and SMEs. By improving dialogue and creating more efficient pathways for evaluating and implementing new technologies, the project will help ensure innovative healthcare solutions can reach patients more effectively.
WiSAR Lab is proud to contribute its expertise in applied research, digital health innovation and collaborative technology development as part of the international project consortium.
The CONNECT partnership includes:
- University of Oulu (Finland) – Lead Partner
- Atlantic Technological University (Ireland)
- Region Västerbotten (Sweden)
- University of Limerick (Ireland)
- Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia (Pohde) (Finland)
The project has a total budget of €1,249,200.35, with €811,980.22 provided through Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme funding, and will run over a 30-month period.
WiSAR Lab looks forward to working alongside its project partners to support the adoption of innovative digital healthcare technologies, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and contribute to more sustainable and resilient healthcare services across the Northern Periphery and Arctic region.
Further updates on the CONNECT project and WiSAR Lab’s activities will be shared as the project progresses.
