Recetas

[RESEARCH WORK] Celebrating a Milestone in Nature-Based Health Research!

Agathe — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:59:08 +0000

We are thrilled to announce a landmark moment for the RECETAS project: our very first doctoral dissertation defense!

Annika Kolster, MD (University of Helsinki), publicly defended her groundbreaking thesis: « Supporting Health and Wellbeing Through Nature-Based Interventions in Primary Care »

Read the thesis abstract and details

This event is not just a personal achievement for Annika; it’s an importantmilestone for RECETAS, showcasing how nature-based interventions can transform healthcare and wellbeing. Annika’s research aligns perfectly with the RECETAS mission: integrating nature into urban health solutions. Her work explores how nature-based interventions can enhance health and wellbeing, offering a sustainable, holistic approach to modern healthcare.

Event Details

Date & Time: April 24, 2026, 13:15 EET
Location: Kielikeskus, Juhlasali, Fabianinkatu 26, Helsinki
Opponent: Adjunct Professor Matilda van den Bosch (The University of British Columbia, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), European Forest Institute)
Custos: Associate Professor Merja Laine
Watch the live stream: Live Stream Link

Making Headlines

Annika’s research is sparking conversations about the future of nature-based healthcare:

Read the article in HBL Feature Finland’s leading Swedish-language newspaper
Watch the Morning TV Programme Huomenta Suomi
Read the article in the Finnish Physicians journal
Watch the TV Programme Yle TV public service

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RECETAS at the IV Global Summit on Nature-Based Health: Shaping the Future of Urban Well-being

Agathe — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:26:28 +0000

The IV Global Summit on Science, Nature and Health, held April 15–17, 2026, brought together over 1,000 participants from 78 countries to explore the transformative potential of nature-based health.

As a landmark event, the Summit featured leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, including Dr. Jill Litt, coordinator of the RECETAS project, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Senior Researcher at ISGlobal.

RECETAS in the Spotlight: Bridging Research and Real-World Impact

Dr. Litt’s participation highlighted the critical role of RECETAS in advancing nature-based solutions for urban well-being. The project exemplifies how research can directly inform policy and practice, fostering healthier, more nature-connected cities. The Summit underscored a collective shift toward actionable, scalable solutions, with RECETAS at the forefront of this movement.

Alongside Dr. Melissa Lem (co-founder of PaRx Canada), Dr. Litt co-led a session on translating nature prescriptions from theory to practice, focusing on:

Bridging Research and Practice: Strategies to move from evidence-based research to tangible policies and programs in urban and healthcare settings.
Overcoming Barriers: Addressing challenges such as funding, policy support, and public engagement, while highlighting successful case studies.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The necessity of uniting research, public health, and urban planning to create sustainable, nature-based health solutions.

A Global Movement Takes Shape

The Summit emphasized the growing institutional recognition of nature-based health, with sessions led by global experts in ecology, psychology, and planetary health. Key themes included:

Professionalization and Ethics: Exploring standards, ethics, and responsible growth in nature-based interventions.
Cultural Contexts: Insights from Asia-Pacific leaders on embedding forest therapy into regional development and urban design.
Planetary Health: Bridging the gap between evidence and action to make planetary health a reality.

Explore more, visit the IV Global Summit page.

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Celebrating Social Prescribing Day 2026: A Global Look Back

Agathe — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:15:23 +0000

Social Prescribing Day 2026 was a momentous occasion, celebrated by RECETAS teams across the globe with events that highlighted the transformative power of nature-based social prescribing (NBSP). From documentary screenings to inspiring conferences, each city brought its unique perspective to the table, emphasizing the importance of community, connection, and nature in combating loneliness and improving well-being.

Social Prescribing Day 2026 was a powerful reminder that addressing loneliness and promoting well-being is a collective effort. From Prague’s documentary screening to Barcelona’s inspiring conference, Bristol’s community discussions, and Cuenca’s innovative dialogues, each event highlighted the importance of nature, connection, and community in shaping healthier, happier lives.

Cuenca: Innovating in Health Promotion

26 March 2026, recetas team in Cuenca, Ecuador, celebrated Social Prescribing Day with a focus on innovation and community well-being. The University of Cuenca hosted an open dialogue on social prescribing, art, and nature, featuring national and international experts. The event underscored Cuenca’s commitment to pioneering health promotion strategies, with a focus on inclusive, nature-based activities.

Highlights

Dialogue and Exchange: The event provided a platform for discussing how social prescribing can be implemented to enhance well-being and reduce loneliness.
Nature and Connection: Participants explored how connecting with nature and others can improve mental health and foster a sense of belonging.

Prague: « Connection Is in Our Nature » Documentary Screening & Discussion

March 27, 2026, in the heart of Prague, the RECETAS team hosted a screening of « Connection Is in Our Nature », a documentary by Robin Cox that delves into how nature-based social prescribing can combat loneliness and enhance well-being. The film featured compelling stories from the RECETAS project, illustrating the profound impact of group activities in nature. The event was organized by CELLO FHS UK at Charles University, fostering connections among professionals and researchers.

Highlights

Expert Insights: Renowned professionals, including Assoc. Prof. Iva Holmerova, M.D., Ph.D., and Alzbeta Bartovaá, Ph.D., shared their insights on the science behind NBSP.
Community Engagement: A post-screening discussion focused on how these approaches can be integrated into the Czech Republic’s health and social systems.

Barcelona: A Conference for Community Health

March 19, 2026, RECETAS team in Barcelona’s 2nd Social Prescribing Conference organised El Prat de Llobregat, Catalonia, brought together over 250 participants, including professionals, facilitators, researchers, and citizens. The event was a testament to the power of community health and collective action. The conference reinforced the idea that true change happens through relationships and connections, weaving a stronger, more inclusive community fabric, demonstrating Catalonia’s commitment to innovative health strategies.

Highlights

Inspiring Testimonies: Participants and facilitators shared their experiences with social prescribing programs, showcasing the transformative impact on mental, emotional, and physical health.
Preliminary Results: The RECETAS project presented its preliminary findings, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in promoting social prescribing.

Bristol: Celebrating Social Prescribing Day with Nature and Connection

26 March 2026, the RECETAS team in Bristol, UK, marked Social Prescribing Day with a screening of « Connection Is in Our Nature ». The event attracted 35 attendees, including practitioners, academics, and community members, all eager to explore the role of nature in fostering social connections.

Highlights

Film Screening: The documentary received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with attendees praising its portrayal of joy, confidence-building, and friendship across generations.
Thoughtful Discussions: Participants shared ideas on integrating nature-based social prescribing into their practices, emphasizing that tackling loneliness is a collective opportunity

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[PUBLICATION] Loneliness, social inactivity and social isolation of older adults in assisted living facilities

Agathe — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:29:00 +0000

Loneliness, social inactivity, and social isolation are often used interchangeably, but our new study, published in Experimental Gerontology, reveals that these experiences only partially overlap among older adults in assisted living facilities.

These findings from the RECETAS team in Helsinki (University of Helsinki), highlight the need to distinguish between these concepts to tailor interventions effectively. Access the full article: Loneliness, social inactivity and social isolation of older adults in assisted living facilities.

Key Takeaways

Only 3% of residents experienced loneliness, social inactivity, and social isolation simultaneously, confirming that these dimensions are not always connected.
Loneliness was linked to the poorest psychological well-being, more so than social inactivity or isolation.
Directly addressing loneliness is essential for identifying hidden needs and providing targeted support.

These results underscore the importance of differentiating between loneliness, inactivity, and isolation in public health policies and assisted living practices. For example, a socially isolated person may not feel lonely, and vice versa.

By pinpointing specific needs, we can allocate resources more effectively and enhance residents’ quality of life.

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Celebrating Social Prescribing Day 2026 with Friends in Nature!

Agathe — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:59:08 +0000

Loneliness is a public health crisis, but what if the solution lies in nature? The Friends in Nature model, developed by the RECETAS PROJECT uses Nature-Based Social Prescribing (NBSP) to reduce loneliness and support wellbeing through shared outdoor experiences.

How does Friends in Nature work?

By bringing people together in nature, NBSP creates low-pressure, inclusive spaces that foster social bonds, shared purpose, and mutual support.
Over time, these experiences build meaningful relationships, a sense of belonging, and stronger communities.

Three key processes drive this change:

Connection to others through structured, repeated nature-based activities.
Connection to nature through sensory engagement and place-based experiences.
Sustained wellbeing with reduced loneliness, improved mental health, and greater community cohesion.

With RECETAS, learn more about Nature-Based Social Prescribing (NBSP)

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2nd Social Prescribing Conference in El Prat de Llobregat, Spain: Building Community Health Together

Agathe — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:39:33 +0000

On March 19, 2026, a day of inspiration and transformation at the 2nd Social Prescribing Conference in El Prat de Llobregat, where over 250 participants (professionals, facilitators, researchers, and citizens) shared experiences, data, and initiatives to place community health at the heart of a collective action.

An event organised in the presence of:

Public Health and Government Representatives
- Esteve Fernández Muñoz, Secretary of Public Health, Department of Health of Catalonia
- Luisa Maria Conejos Ara, Deputy Director General of Addictions, HIV, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis
- Alba Bou Jordà, Mayor of El Prat de Llobregat
- Laia Arnal i Arasa, Director of the National Pact for Mental Health
Conference Organizers and Moderation
- Héctor Gómez Rodríguez and Teresa Serarols Roca, Conference Organizers and Municipal Councilors of El Prat de Llobregat
- Marc Olivella Cirici, Public Health Agency of Catalonia
- Marina García, Councilor for Commerce and Public Health of El Prat de Llobregat (Moderator)
RECETAS Project and Local Team
- Professor Jill Litt, RECETAS Project Coordinator, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
- Local RECETAS Team (Barcelona): Laura Coll-Planas, Montse Masó-Aguado, Marc Olivella Cirici, Cristina Casajuana Kögel, Laia Briones, Carolyn Daher, Laura Hidalgo Lopez

A Community in Motion and a Model in Action

It flourishes in connections, shared activities, and a sense of belonging. Social prescribing reimagines health by linking individuals to non-medical resources—cultural, sports, nature-based, and educational activities—delivering transformative benefits:

Enhances emotional well-being
Reduces loneliness and anxiety
Strengthens self-esteem and creativity
Builds lasting social connections
Combats stigma

The event also showcased the preliminary results of the RECETAS project, demonstrating how social prescribing is not just a concept, but a daily reality shaped by the commitment of all involved.

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[PUBLICATION] Systematic literature review of economic studies on nature-based social prescribing for health improvement

Agathe — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:44:02 +0000

A new systematic literature review published in BMC Primary Care « Systematic literature review of economic studies on nature-based social prescribing for health improvement » sheds light on the health and economic impacts of Nature-Based Social Prescribing (NBSP), an innovative approach that connects people with nature to improve mental and physical well-being. The review, published by RECETAS research team in Austria UMIT Tirol, analyzed existing studies to assess the cost-effectiveness and broader benefits of NBSP programs.

Key Findings

Favorable Economic Returns: Studies from the UK reported a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 2.6 to 5.1 GBP for every 1 GBP invested* in NBSP, indicating substantial value for money.
Long-Term Savings: One cost-benefit analysis estimated economic returns of £6,000 to £14,000 per person after one year, with potential savings of up to £8,600 to £24,500 per person over ten years
Health Gains: A cost-utility analysis found that NBSP can achieve health improvements at a cost of £8,600 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, a benchmark often used to assess value in healthcare interventions.

While evidence on the health benefits of NBSP is growing, this review is among the first to systematically examine its economic impact. The findings suggest that NBSP not only enhances well-being but also offers significant cost savings for healthcare systems.

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RECETAS Documentary Premiere in Barcelona: Connection Is in Our Nature

Agathe — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:51:34 +0000

On 25 February, the RECETAS Project will host a special public event in Barcelona as part of the Barcelona World Capital of Architecture programme.

The evening will feature the premiere of the RECETAS documentary Connection Is in Our Nature, followed by a dynamic roundtable discussion with experts, project partners, and the film’s director Robin Cox.

Through real-life experiences, research findings, and inspiring local initiatives, the documentary illustrates how urban green spaces and nature-based solutions can foster social connection, strengthen community ties, and improve overall wellbeing.

Event Details

Wednesday, 25 February / 18:30-20:00
Biblioteca Fort Pienc
Pl. del Fort Pienc, 4, 08013 Barcelona
Participation is free, with prior registration required
More information and registration

Screening Tour

A powerful documentary exploring loneliness, social prescribing, and nature as a source of healing in our cities.
Follow RECETAS researchers and study participants as they confront loneliness and discover how connection with nature can strengthen wellbeing and community life.

The film will be presented in pilot cities, offering audiences an immersive look at life, nature and connection. Stay tuned for official screening dates, locations and event details.

Host a Screening in Your City

We invite partners, organisations, community groups, cultural venues, universities, health networks and nature advocates to host a screening event in your city. This is a unique opportunity to bring people together around social connection, mental health, nature, and spark local dialogue and partnerships for wellbeing and community care.

Whether you represent a grassroots association, public institution, cinema, festival or community hub, we look forward to supporting you in bringing this documentary to your audiences.

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[PUBLICATION] New evidence: nature-based group activities reduce loneliness in later life

Agathe — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:15:58 +0000

Loneliness among older adults is increasingly recognised as a significant public health challenge. As cities grow and populations age, finding practical, evidence-based ways to support wellbeing and connection is more important than ever.

A new randomised controlled trial published in Oxford Academic – Age and Ageing provides strong evidence that nature-based group activities can reduce loneliness, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall quality of life among older adults living in assisted living facilities.
Read the full open-access article: Effectiveness of nature-based group intervention in loneliness and health-related quality-of-life in lonely older adults living in assisted living facilitiesâ€”a randomised controlled trial

What did the study find?

The study used a structured nature-based interventio, the Friends in Nature model, in which participants met regularly for facilitated activities in nearby green environments. Compared to a control group, people in the intervention group reported:

Lower levels of loneliness
Better sleep
Higher perceived quality of life

These findings add valuable rigorous empirical support to the idea that combining nature exposure with social connection can deliver meaningful wellbeing benefits for later life.

How this aligns with RECETAS

The RECETAS project explores nature-based social prescribing as a tool for enhancing social connection and reducing loneliness across diverse urban contexts. This trial reinforces several core project insights:

Nature matters when it is accessible, social, and community-oriented
Group experiences unlock connections that contribute to longer-term wellbeing
Rigorous evaluation, including randomised designs, strengthens the case for scaling effective interventions

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[PUBLICATION] RECETAS in Helsinki – Adapting a Group Facilitation Model to Support Nature-Based Interventions Across Five Countries

Agathe — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:04:27 +0000

Loneliness is no longer seen solely as a private pain – it’s a growing public health crisis affecting people across ages and continents. Chronic loneliness is linked to higher risks of depression, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and even mortality. Yet, solutions that are both effective and culturally adaptable remain limited.

Our latest open-access article « Adapting and applying a group facilitator training model to support nature-based social interventions for alleviating loneliness in five countries » published in Educational Gerontology, explores exactly that: how the Finnish Circle of Friends (CoF) model – an evidence-based group intervention for alleviating loneliness – was transformed into the Friends in Nature (FiN) program within the RECETAS Project.

Why We Need New Approaches to Loneliness

As urban living increases and social bonds evolve, chronic loneliness has become a complex, multifaceted challenge. Traditional group programs and clinical treatments often fail to take full cultural or environmental contexts into account. What if part of the solution could be found not in a clinic but in a garden, a park, or a forest, under the guidance of trained leaders who understand both people and place?

The RECETAS team explored exactly that, adapting the CoF model to diverse international contexts to tackle loneliness in culturally meaningful ways.

Introducing the Friends in Nature Facilitator Model

The FiN program is based on the Circle of Friends approach but tailored for nature-based social interventions. At the heart of this adaptation is a multi-stage facilitator training model delivered across Spain, France, Czech Republic, Australia, and Ecuador.

The training process included:

Moving from in-person to online training to increase accessibility and scale
Training key facilitators who then trained local facilitators in each country
Implementing FiN groups using structured, nature-based activities to foster social connection

Despite cultural differences, the core elements of the CoF model (group cohesion, supportive facilitation, and shared activity) remained strong and adaptable.

Why It Matters

Loneliness is a global challenge and often stigmatized. FiN uses nature, groupdynamics, and empowerment to help participants build meaningful social ties. By combining evidence-based facilitation techniques with culturally sensitive adaptations, the program creates safe spaces for connection, reflection, and mutual support.

This approach shows that nature-based interventions aren’t just about being outdoors: they’re about empowering people to engage socially in ways that are meaningful to them, regardless of cultural context.

What’s Next

While this publication focuses on the training model, outcome analyses are underway to examine how these adaptations influence effectiveness across diverse populations.

The research RECETAS research teams will provide practical on social prescribing, nature-based interventions, with scalable training models for international implementation.

By equipping facilitators with skills that are both evidence-informed and culturally adapted, the FiN programme represents a scalable pathway to reduce loneliness while fostering social inclusion and well-being worldwide.

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