A novel and evidence-informed approach to project sustainability: Maximizing long-term impacts of the Joint Action PreventNCD

Abstract

Aims:

The paper presents a novel approach to foster sustained integration of the outcomes of the large-scale JA PreventNCD project into national and European policies.

Methods:

We develop an operational definition of sustainability of public health activities that is designed to recognize and analyse the main factors and potential drivers of sustained uptake of the outcomes of public health projects into policies. We use the policy and the accountability cycles as a theoretical basis to conceptualize and develop the sustainability approach for the JA PreventNCD, intended for wider application beyond the end of the project. The accountability cycle is used to analyse how the dynamics of youth engagement as a form of social participation, and of wellbeing economy approaches, could contribute to sustained integration of project outputs into public health practices and policies at national and European levels.

Conclusions:

Conceptualized through the policy and the accountability cycles, youth engagement and wellbeing economy should be key principles of the sustainability strand of JA PreventNCD, with the potential to increase the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of public health interventions across Europe. Achieving long-term sustainability of outcomes requires particular attention to be directed toward the latter stages of the accountability cycle – enforcement and improvement – which are often underdeveloped compared with the earlier stages of assessment and communication.