iCARE is a 24-month cross-border cooperation project aiming to remove barriers to healthcare and social services for vulnerable groups, particularly elderly people, persons with disabilities, children, and citizens with chronic conditions or high-risk health profiles.
The project addresses shared challenges in the Greece–North Macedonia border area, including rural isolation, limited access to primary healthcare, low digital health literacy, and unequal availability of e-health services. Through integrated, people-centred solutions, iCARE promotes inclusive, accessible and community-based healthcare models.
Geographical focus and pilot actions
Project activities are implemented in two remote border municipalities: Prespes (Greece) and Resen (North Macedonia). These areas will host pilot actions that expand existing “Help at Home” services into inclusive “Healthcare at Home” models, supported by telemedicine solutions, mobile healthcare units, and digital tools.
Partnership and roles
The project is implemented by a cross-border partnership involving public authorities, healthcare institutions and civil society organisations.
The National Confederation of Disabled People of Greece (E.S.A.meA.), as Lead Beneficiary, is responsible for overall coordination, project management and communication, ensuring that accessibility and inclusion principles are embedded throughout implementation.
The 3rd Regional Health Authority of Macedonia contributes medical expertise, develops telemedicine solutions and strengthens the capacity of regional healthcare units.
The Municipality of Prespes and the Municipality of Resen focus on improving local healthcare infrastructure through the acquisition of electric vehicles for mobile care, installation of telemedicine equipment and implementation of pilot services for isolated citizens.
COSV – Coordinamento delle Organizzazioni per il Servizio Volontario (COSV MKD) supports the project through capacity building, digital health literacy initiatives, awareness-raising activities and facilitation of cross-border exchange of good practices, with a strong focus on community engagement and sustainability.
Key outputs and results
Key project outputs include:
• the introduction of telemedicine services and electronic health record systems;
• acquisition of electric vehicles and mobility aids for home-based healthcare;
• pilot healthcare and social e-services for rural and isolated citizens;
• training workshops and seminars for healthcare professionals and local stakeholders;
• communication, awareness and digital literacy actions targeting vulnerable groups.
It is expected that:
• at least 3,000 citizens per year will gain improved access to healthcare services;
• around 5,000 users annually will benefit from e-health and telemedicine tools;
• 25 cross-border joint actions will be implemented;
• 15 organisations from both countries will cooperate directly.
Budget and programme
The total project budget amounts to €892,220.98, co-financed at 80% by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A IPA Programme Greece – North Macedonia 2021–2027. The project builds on the results of the Cross4all project (2014–2020) and aligns with the European Disability Strategy and the European Accessibility Act.
The contribution of COSV
COSV – Coordinamento delle Organizzazioni per il Servizio Volontario (COSV MKD), through its branch in North Macedonia, participates in the iCARE project as a project partner, in line with the Partnership Agreement.
COSV’s contribution focuses on strengthening the social and community-based dimensions of inclusive healthcare, with particular emphasis on capacity building, digital inclusion and cross-border cooperation. COSV is responsible for:
• supporting capacity-building activities for local stakeholders, service providers and professionals involved in healthcare and social services;
• promoting digital health literacy among vulnerable and marginalised groups, enabling citizens to access and use e-health and telemedicine services effectively;
• contributing to communication and awareness-raising actions, ensuring outreach to local communities and target groups in North Macedonia;
• facilitating cross-border exchange of experiences and good practices, capitalising on COSV’s long-standing experience in inclusive development, social services and community-based interventions;
• supporting pilot implementation activities in cooperation with local authorities, ensuring community engagement and sustainability beyond the project’s lifetime.
Through these actions, COSV contributes to reinforcing inclusive, accessible and people-centred healthcare models in the cross-border area.
Disclaimer: The contents of the webpage are the sole responsibility of the National Confederation of Disabled People – Greece and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union, the participating countries and the Managing Authority.