The Halftime Pilot Evaluation Workshop took place in Micfalău from 8–10 September 2025 within the framework of the ShowUp4Health project. Its purpose was to review the progress made halfway through the programme, to evaluate the first results of the pilots, and to define the directions for the next phase. Each partner (FMC, HCSOM, HESED, SAMR, CHD MS and the associated partner SE) was represented at the in-person event.

The event was formally opened with welcoming remarks in which the organisers emphasised the importance of improving access to health and social services for vulnerable groups, particularly Roma communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The opening speeches highlighted that the real strength of the partnership lies in mutual learning and the exchange of experience, which form the basis for sustainable and scalable solutions.

The first day was devoted to evaluation. Under Work Package 1 the functioning of the APC process and the overall collaboration within the consortium were reviewed. As part of Work Package 3, the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service presented its integrated programme for segregated settlements. This presentation was directly linked to Deliverable D3.5, since the work showcased during the workshop laid the foundation for the development of the WP3 strategy and toolkit. The presentation began by describing the different types of segregated areas and went on to illustrate a range of local models developed in Tarnabod, Monor, Pécs, Táska, Gyulaj and Veszprém. These interventions combine housing, employment, education and community development to support the long-term integration of disadvantaged groups. In the afternoon, Work Package 2 hosted a methodology workshop where partners worked together in an interactive session to define the desired structure and content of the methodology chapter. The joint work resulted in a set of expectations for a methodology that is simple, clear, practical, sustainable and easily adaptable, guiding the reader step by step from situation analysis and problem definition through target group involvement to the measurement of results. The day concluded with the evaluation of Work Package 5, where the framework for monitoring and evaluation was presented. Discussions underlined the necessity of establishing unified indicators and KPIs in order to make pilots comparable and transferable in later phases.

The second day focused on co-design and sharing experiences. During the plenary session, each partner presented the difficulties encountered in their own pilots, explained which stakeholders they worked with, and gave advice to one another. This was followed by pilot presentations which demonstrated tangible results. In Slovenia, ten health mediators had been identified to work with Roma communities, supporting participation in national NCD screening programmes; a communication campaign and adapted promotional materials were also prepared. In Bulgaria, the HESED pilot had trained seventy-two professionals, collected over two hundred and thirty questionnaires through digital tools, participated in Sofia’s anti-hypertension campaign by supporting fifty-six people to attend cardiology consultations, and launched screenings in four Roma communities. In Romania, the SAMR pilot trained mediators and carried out its first screening in Örkő with ninety-eight participants, which included blood pressure, BMI and glucose measurements as well as ophthalmological and orthopaedic checks. Despite operating in wartime conditions, the Ukrainian InterFamily pilot provided care for over three thousand patients, introduced the “Check Me” digital screening platform, and offered tailored support for elderly IDP patients.

At the end of the day, participants visited Miercurea Ciuc to see the SAMR social programmes. The field visit included a Roma settlement and the community centre built nearby, where the local team presented their social and educational activities. This on-site experience confirmed that community presence, combined with integrated social and health services, is essential for successful integration.

The third day was dedicated to stakeholders. Representatives of municipalities, government agencies and health institutions shared their perspectives, particularly on the opportunities and challenges of integrated social and healthcare provision. A highlight of the day was the presentation of the results of children’s ophthalmological screenings. Over the past three years, more than 2,600 children were examined, and 688 of them were re-tested. The findings showed that hyperopia is dominant in this age group, while undetected sight problems have a direct impact on learning performance and school success. The key message of the session was that early screening – at the ages of one, three and six – is crucial to ensure future quality of life and equal opportunities in education.

In closing, the coordinator summarised the progress made and stressed that the true value of the project lies not only in the tangible results of the pilots but also in the collaboration and shared learning among partners. Although financial constraints, staff overload and the challenge of increasing community participation remain, the three-day workshop clearly demonstrated that the work carried out within the framework of ShowUp4Health has the potential to deliver long-term and sustainable impact for the communities involved.