by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: FVG governor, Massimiliano Fedriga; Christine Brown, Head of the WHO European Office for Investment for Health Development
The regional health directorate of Friuli Venezia Giulia has entered into a new collaboration with the World Health Organization’s European Office for Investment for Health and Development, aimed at advancing policies tied to the growing field of the Well-Being Economy. The initiative was formally presented yesterday.
The Well-Being Economy framework moves beyond traditional measures of economic growth, such as GDP, viewing them not as an end in themselves but as tools to improve the health of individuals, communities and the planet. The approach—centered on equity, social cohesion and long-term prosperity—has gained traction among European and international policymakers seeking to address the limitations of conventional economic models.
Regional officials said that the partnership would support the development of pilot projects in Friuli Venezia Giulia, positioning the region as an early adopter of this emerging policy model. As part of the initiative, a Well-Being Economy laboratory is set to be launched in conjunction with an international political forum scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
The collaboration reflects a broader shift in public policy discussions across Europe, where governments and institutions are exploring new metrics that capture environmental sustainability, social well-being and public health outcomes alongside economic indicators.
Officials described the new effort as an opportunity to integrate these principles into regional planning and to align local strategies with a framework increasingly embraced by international organizations. More details about the laboratory and its initial work are expected to be released at the forthcoming political debate.
