Discover how RECETAS brought together a global consortium to test innovative, nature-connected interventions across six cities. Learn about the Friends in Nature (FiN) approach, its evidence-based results, and the policy recommendations that are shaping the future of public health and social prescribing.

Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, or community leader, this presentation provides actionable insights and a roadmap for scaling NBSP solutions.

Explore the full document and join us in reimagining how nature and connection can transform lives.

L’article Exploring the RECETAS Journey: The Project Lifecycle Presentation est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

Who it serves:

• Facilitators & Civil Society Organizations: Access a curated set of NBSP activities
• Health & Care Professionals; Prescribe NBSP interventions to patients
• Individuals; Discover and join NBSP activities and events

FiN SaaS powers this ecosystem, supporting online and in-person group care through

• Screening and assessment
• Remote and in-person provider interaction
• Facilitator-led group interventions
• Continuous health monitoring

Stay tuned – the official launch will be announced on our website and social media!

L’article A NBSP Digital Platform: Connecting Nature & Community est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

Marc Ollivela Cirici, Catalan Social Prescribing Programme coordinator at the Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, shares insights on how Catalonia has scaled up Social Prescribing, and what it takes to build a legitimate, sustainable model of community-based health.

The Catalonia region stands as an advanced example of Social Prescribing in Europe. Implementing this approach at such a scale must come with its share of challenges. Could you outline the main difficulties encountered and share recommendations for local and regional authorities in other countries?

Catalonia has made important progress in recent years in scaling up a structured model of Social Prescribing within primary and community care, building on a community health approach and progressively extending implementation across the territory.

From our experience, and in line with the evidence described in the literature, the main challenges are not only technical but also structural and contextual. These include fragmentation between sectors, limited community capacity, workforce pressures, and the need to strengthen coordination mechanisms between health services and community resources.

At the same time, our own evaluation in Catalonia highlights additional implementation barriers such as lack of time, variability in coordination with community actors, and limited use of digital tools and follow-up systems.

A recent report on the state of Social Prescribing in Catalonia, providing a detailed overview of these challenges and the current level of implementation across the territory, along with key recommendations for local and regional authorities, is available [here].

The biomedical field holds the greatest institutional legitimacy within care pathways. What scientific validation models have been adopted to support Social Prescribing? And more broadly, how can the legitimacy of this approach be established?

One relevant reference is the recent work developed within RECETAS led by Jill Litt et al. (2024), which contributes to framing Social Prescribing within a broader evidence-informed and theory-driven perspective, emphasising relational processes, community engagement and context-sensitive implementation.

More broadly, the legitimacy of Social Prescribing does not rely only on traditional biomedical evidence models, but also on implementation science, mixed-methods evaluation, and the consistent documentation of psychosocial and social outcomes.

In the Catalan model, legitimacy is also built through implementation. A key element is Phase 0/1 of the implementation process, which focuses on generating community alliances and legitimizing the programme locally. This includes prior community diagnosis, identification of existing structures, institutional endorsement, and shared prioritization of objectives across stakeholders.

This phase is essential because it ensures that Social Prescribing is not introduced as an external intervention, but rather embedded within existing community health processes, avoiding duplication and strengthening sustainability.

In addition, implementing Social Prescribing requires a change of perspective within the health system. This involves moving from an individualistic biomedical model to a holistic approach, a focus on pathogenesis to salutogenesis, a deficit-based logic to capacity and strengths, and a reactive model to a more proactive approach.

This conceptual shift is fundamental to understanding how Social Prescribing gains legitimacy as a public health practice rather than as a purely clinical intervention.

During your presentation at the RECETAS Annual Consortium in Marseille on 3 June, you noted that Social Prescribing is not intended to replace medical or psychotherapeutic responses to loneliness-related suffering. In that case, how does Social Prescribing complement more traditional care pathways?

Social Prescribing is not intended to replace medical or psychotherapeutic care, but rather to complement it. It is particularly relevant for situations where distress is linked to social determinants such as loneliness, isolation, or unmet social needs.

In our model, Social Prescribing is integrated as part of the therapeutic plan, allowing professionals to offer structured, non-pharmacological alternatives that address the social dimension of health.

This complementarity operates in several ways: it expands the range of responses available in primary care, supports emotional well-being and social connection, and helps reduce unnecessary medicalization in cases where biomedical interventions have limited impact. At the same time, it maintains clear boundaries: when clinical or psychological treatment is needed, Social Prescribing does not replace it, but can reinforce its effectiveness by addressing contextual factors affecting health outcomes.

What distinction do you draw between preventive health and health promotion/promotional health — and how does Social Prescribing fit within each of these frameworks?

Regarding the distinction between preventive health and health promotion, Social Prescribing in Catalonia is primarily framed within a health promotion and community health approach, although it also contributes to prevention.

From a preventive perspective, it can help reduce risk factors and avoid the progression of certain health conditions, particularly those related to mental health and social isolation.

However, its main contribution lies in health promotion: it strengthens individual and community capacities, enhances social participation, and fosters meaningful engagement with local resources. This aligns with a salutogenic perspective, focusing on what generates health rather than only on what prevents disease.

In this sense, Social Prescribing acts as a bridge between the healthcare system and the community, operationalizing a model where health is co-produced through social relationships, local assets, and everyday environments.

L’article Spotlight on Social Prescribing in Catalonia with Marc Ollivela est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

L’article The 5th RECETAS Annual Consortium Meeting: A Legacy of Collaboration and Impact est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

What does it look like to build a health intervention with a community rather than for it? In Melbourne, 37 LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers and refugees from 15 countries spent eight weeks doing just that: gathering in parks, forests, rivers, and coastlines for forest therapy walks, gardening, birdwatching, sensory experiences, and shared meals, through Friends in Nature (FiN) interventions, co-designed with queer support organisation Many Coloured Sky.

Read the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558126000679?via%3Dihub

What the numbers showed

Loneliness (measured using the validated De Jong Gierveld scale) dropped significantly. The global score fell from a median of 9 to 8.5 (mean reduction of 1.3 points, p = 0.011), with emotional loneliness showing a statistically significant improvement and social loneliness trending in the right direction. Nature connectedness scores rose from a median of 58 to 75 out of 100. Health-related quality of life did not change significantly, as expected, given that an eight-week programme cannot shift the structural precarity shaping participants’ daily lives.

What participants described

Five themes emerged from interviews, observations, photo elicitation, and group reflections:

Mental well-being. Sensory, attentive engagement with nature — noticing textures, sounds, and living things — was repeatedly described as calming and restorative. One participant called a forest therapy walk « almost like medicine. »

Social connection and belonging. Shared LGBTIQA+ refugee identity created unusually strong bonds. Participants described finding a chosen family and beginning to feel attached to Melbourne itself through repeated visits to the same natural places.

Cultural sensitivity and confidence. Shared meals — a different dish from a different country each week — sparked genuine intercultural exchange. Participants reported growing confidence in English, public transport navigation, and group participation.

Nature, memory, and safety. Natural settings functioned as judgment-free zones. Participants frequently connected Melbourne landscapes to memories of homelands, creating a continuity between past and present identities that aided adaptation. « In nature, nobody judges you. It felt safe, gentle, calm… Nature didn’t ask questions. It allowed me just to be. »

The vital role of facilitators. Carefully composed groups, trauma-informed check-ins, transport coordination, and cultural responsiveness were central to what made participation possible. Facilitation was the connective tissue of the whole programme.

The study is exploratory (no control group, modest sample) but the findings are consistent across quantitative and qualitative data. They suggest that what makes nature-based social prescribing work for marginalised communities is not nature alone, but the deliberate combination of trusted relationships, cultural safety, and shared time in place.

L’article Reimagining health care and social connection with asylum seekers and refugees through contextually grounded nature-based social interventions est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

This evaluation assesses the cost-utility, cost-effectiveness, and cost-capability of NBSP compared to usual care. By ensuring transparency and reproducibility, the protocol enables evidence-based recommendations for NBSP implementation, supporting local decision-making and policy development.

Read the publication in BMC Public Health: Protocol for the health economic evaluation of nature-based social prescribing against loneliness alongside the RECETAS trials

Key Measurement Tools

The evaluation uses three primary tools to assess outcomes:

• EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire: A standardized instrument measuring health-related quality of life across five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) to calculate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). This helps determine the value of NBSP in improving overall well-being.
• De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale: A validated tool assessing emotional and social loneliness, allowing researchers to measure reductions in loneliness and calculate the cost per unit reduction achieved by NBSP.
• ICECAP-A Questionnaire: A capability measure evaluating individuals’ ability to achieve well-being across five attributes (stability, attachment, achievement, enjoyment, and autonomy) to assess the cost per improvement in capability well-being, a broader measure of quality of life beyond health alone.

L’article [PUBLICATION] Protocol for the health economic evaluation of nature-based social prescribing against loneliness alongside the RECETAS trials est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

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

L’article [RESEARCH WORK] Celebrating a Milestone in Nature-Based Health Research! est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

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.

L’article RECETAS at the IV Global Summit on Nature-Based Health: Shaping the Future of Urban Well-being est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

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

L’article Celebrating Social Prescribing Day 2026: A Global Look Back est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

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.

L’article [PUBLICATION] Loneliness, social inactivity and social isolation of older adults in assisted living facilities est apparu en premier sur Recetas.