Shaping EHDS from the Ground Up: Regions and People at the Heart of Europe’s Health Data Space | 17 November 2026 | 10:00–18:00 | Brussels

Event Date: 17 November 2026

The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is moving from legislation towards implementation, creating a common framework for the primary and secondary use of health data across Europe. As Member States and stakeholders prepare for the next steps, regional ecosystems and human perspectives need to be an integral part of this process.

Shaping EHDS from the Ground Up brings together regional health and innovation ecosystems, public authorities, healthcare and research organisations, European initiatives and patient perspectives to discuss how the implementation of the EHDS can better reflect regional realities and human needs.

The workshop builds on the ScanBalt Symposium “Building the EHDS Together” held in June 2026 and continues the dialogue on two closely connected themes: strengthening the role of regions in EHDS implementation and advancing a human-centric approach to health data governance.

The day will combine expert contributions, examples from different European countries and regions, and discussions aimed at identifying opportunities for cooperation and practical next steps.

Programme

09:30 | Registration and Coffee

10:00 | Welcome by the Organisers

Welcome by the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU

Introduction to the ScanBalt initiative on co-creation of the EHDS
Jaanus Pikani, Thomas Karopka and Lutz Groh

Session I | ScanBalt Initiative – Strengthening Regions
Regional diversity, ecosystem needs, and Baltic Sea leadership

10:15 | Introduction to the Session

Preparing for EHDS Secondary Use: Emerging Approaches and Implementation Gaps in Selected European Countries

• Kristel Oitmaa, Industrial Doctoral Researcher, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) and Metrosert AS

10:35 | Status Updates from Strategic Partners I

• TEHDAS2 – Elina Drakvik, Sitra, Finland
• PRECISEU  – Readiness and Maturity Assessment Framework
  Cecilia Maini,  ART-ER Attractiveness Research Territory, Bologna, Italy

11:15 | Coffee Break & Networking

11:45 | Status Updates from Strategic Partners II

Perspectives from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
Speakers to be confirmed

Implementing the EHDS in Germany – Considerations for a Federated, Regional Secondary Data Architecture in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

• Toralf Schnell, Head of Digital Innovation & Transformation, University Medical Centre Greifswald

12:15 | Discussion: How Can We Join Forces in Implementing the EHDS at Regional Level?

Moderator: Jaanus Pikani

13:00 | Networking Lunch

Session II (14:00–15:30): “Human-Centric EHDS”
From patient orientation to human-centric health data governance

14:00 | Inspirational Keynote: “European Health is regional – Chances and Challenges”,

• Karl-Heinz Lambertz, Former President of the European Committee of the Regions

14:20 | Challenges in patient integration into research: lessons from the PRECISEU project (N.N.)

14:40 | Rostock outcomes: Beyond patient orientation toward human-centric health (Dr. Lutz Groh, Cologne)

15:00 | Panel Discussion: How to integrate human-centric aspects in EHDS secondary use?

15:30  | Coffee Break

Session III

15:45 | Final Discussion – Next steps:  Towards cross-border stress testing of the EHDS regulation

16:30 | Networking

17:00 | End

Why Join?

The workshop provides an opportunity to exchange experiences across countries and regions, connect regional and European EHDS initiatives, and discuss how regional ecosystems and human-centric perspectives can contribute to the practical implementation of the European Health Data Space.

The discussions will also help identify potential partners and next steps for continued cooperation around regional EHDS implementation and human-centric health data governance.

Practical Information

Date: Tuesday, 17 November 2026
Time: 10:00–18:00; registration and coffee from 09:30
Venue: Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU, Rue Guimard 11/13, 1040 Brussels
Participation: Free of charge; advance registration required
Registration deadline: 10 November 2026

Important: Entry is permitted to registered participants only, upon presentation of a valid ID card or passport. Please make sure that the name provided during registration matches the name on your identification document.

Registration: Register here

Organisers

Organised by ScanBalt MTÜ, BioCon Valley®, DIG-in-HEALTH and the Network of German Health Regions, in cooperation with Enterprise Estonia and the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU and strategic EHDS partners.

The programme is currently being finalised and may be subject to changes.