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Accessibility & LanguageWHO Collaborating Centre
Designation 2025 - 2029
The World Health Organization has redesignated the Health Promotion Research Centre (HPRC) at NUI Galway as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion Research for a further four-year period up to 2029 (original designation received in 2009). Researchers at the HPRC support the work programme of the WHO Headquarters in Geneva and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, providing technical support and research to advance health promotion policy and practice at regional and international levels.
“We are delighted to continue this important collaboration with WHO Geneva and WHO Europe and greatly value working with WHO partners in advancing strategic Health Promotion policies and actions for promoting population health and wellbeing, says Professor Margaret Barry, Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre at University of Galway.
Our Aim
To support the WHO work programme in developing health promotion capacity through the translation of health promotion research into policy and practice.
Terms of Reference (ToR):
- To support implementation of the WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work 2025–2028 (GPW) and the Second European Programme of Work 2025-2030 (EPW2), with particular reference to the strategic objectives outlined in Priorities 2, 3 and 4 of the EPW2 on; tackling NCDs, living and ageing in good physical and mental health, and driving climate-health action
- To support the WHO in the implementation of the European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing and the Mental Health Flagship
ToR 1: Provide technical support on the implementation of health promotion strategies, with a particular focus on population mental wellbeing, sustainable lifestyles, and health literacy strategies
1.1. Achieving population mental well-being (Margaret Barry)
Background
The WHO is increasingly prioritizing mental health and well-being as integral components of public health across the life course. The Mental Health Flagship and the Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being Team require expert input to ensure that emerging policies and strategies are evidence-based, contextually relevant, and aligned with WHO frameworks. The Collaborating Centre’s support will help WHO:
- Strengthen regional and global guidance on population mental health and well-being
- Inform technical documents, policy briefs, and strategic frameworks
- Enhance capacity-building efforts and advocacy initiatives
- Ensure coherence between mental health, child and adolescent health, and health promotion agendas
Deliverables will be used to guide Member States, support implementation of WHO strategies, and contribute to regional and global dialogues on mental health and wellbeing.
Brief Description of the Activity: Activities will include providing technical advice and support to the Mental Health Flagship and the Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Team at WHO-EURO, and as requested to WHO Health Promotion team in Geneva, on the development and implementation of population mental health and wellbeing policies and strategies
1.2. Promoting healthy environments and sustainable lifestyles (Mary Jo Lavelle)
Background
The WHO is planning to develop briefs and an action criteria for healthy, sustainable and resilient cities. The deliverables will provide guidance to policy-makers at the local level to improve governance for health and well-being and support creation of health-promoting environments and systems. In addition to supporting implementation of the WHO 14th GPW and EPW2, this activity provides guidance on recommendations proposed in the WHO Global Framework for Well-being, the Pact for the Future and the Political Declarations of the High-Level Meetings on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being.
Brief Description of the Activity: Activities will include providing technical support for healthy environments and sustainable lifestyles relevant to WHO EURO. These activities align with the WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work, 2025–2028 and the Second European Programme of Work 2026-2030. In particular, this activity will explore and document co-benefits and opportunities for fostering climate action for better health
1.3. Promoting health literacy across healthcare organisations and communities (Verna McKenna)
Background
The WHO is working to strengthen national policies on health literacy, to empower individuals and communities, and to create health literate systems and societies. The deliverables will support the health sector and other sectors (e.g. education) to address a determinant of health and equity. In addition to supporting implementation of the WHO 14th GPW and EPW2, this activity provides guidance on recommendations proposed in the WHO Global Framework for Well-being and the Political Declarations of the High-Level Meetings on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being.
Brief Description of the Activity: To provide technical support on the promotion of health literacy across healthcare organizations and communities, in support of WHO’s well-being agenda and the EPW2 2025-2030. This activity will explore and document opportunities to build digital health literacy capacity within the context of the digital transformation of health and care.
ToR 2: To support the WHO in the implementation of the European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing and the Mental Health Flagship
2.1 Provide technical support to implement the European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. (Colette Kelly & Saoirse Nic Gabhainn)
Background
The WHO is requesting this activity to receive support in operationalizing the European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being across the Region. The strategy provides a comprehensive framework to improve health outcomes for children and adolescents across the Region, and its effective implementation requires tailored technical support, evidence-based guidance, and capacity-building at a country level.
The deliverables from this activity will inform WHO’s regional and country-level actions, including policy development and monitoring of progress. They will also contribute to knowledge exchange among Member States and strengthen alignment with global health priorities related to child and adolescent health.
Concrete Actions
Activities will include providing technical support and advice as required. This may include input to the development of an implementation action plan, followed by supporting implementation progress reports and related deliverables.
2.2 Support youth participation in WHO EURO activities (C. Kelly & S. Nic Gabhainn)
Background
The WHO prioritizes meaningful adolescent participation as a cornerstone of effective health policy and programming. Engaging adolescents in decision-making processes ensures that health initiatives are relevant, equitable, and responsive to their needs. This activity supports the WHO’s commitment to adolescent empowerment and aligns with global and regional strategies promoting participatory governance in health.
The WHO will use the advice, technical support and participation in working groups to strengthen Member States’ capacity to involve adolescents in health-related initiatives. Deliverables will inform guidance documents, support country-level implementation, and contribute to regional platforms that promote adolescent engagement.
Activities
Activities will include providing advice and technical support for adolescent participation activities relevant to WHO Euro and WHO HQ upon request. Membership of working groups and/or leading or supporting activities that support member states to involve adolescents in various health-related initiatives or strategies across the region will be prioritised.
Contribute to the international leadership of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study (C. Kelly & S. Nic Gabhainn)
Background
The WHO relies on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study as a key source of data to monitor adolescent health and well-being across the European Region. Indicators from HBSC are being used, and will continue to be used, to monitor progress related to the implementation of the European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being. Strategic coordination and methodological improvements are essential to ensure the quality, relevance, and comparability of HBSC data. This activity supports WHO’s efforts to strengthen evidence-based policy-making and track progress on regional health priorities.
The WHO will use the outputs to enhance the strategic direction of the HBSC network, improve measurement tools and reporting standards, and ensure that HBSC findings are effectively translated into policy and practice. The deliverables will also inform regional and country-level monitoring frameworks and contribute to WHO publications and advocacy materials.
Activities
Through membership of the HBSC network coordinating committee, we will support the development of strategic activities where required and implementation of same. Through chairperson roles and members of specific focus groups, we will work to improve measurement and reporting for youth health.
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WHO Collaboration Centre - HPRC Team 2026
From left to right: Prof. Colette Kelly, Prof. Margaret Barry, Dr Mary Jo Lavelle, Prof. Saoirse Nic Gabhainn.
