From Projects to Practice: Why the i2X Special Interest Group (SIG) Matters for EHDS Implementation

As Europe advances towards the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), one reality is becoming increasingly clear: interoperability cannot be achieved by projects alone.

Diogo Martins

May 6, 2026 · 2 min lectura

It requires communities

This was the central idea behind the i2X Special Interest Group (SIG) Workshop, which brought together stakeholders from across the digital health ecosystem to explore how collaboration can move from parallel efforts to coordinated implementation.

Beyond project silos

Multiple initiatives are working across Europe towards the adoption of the European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format (EEHRxF). While each contributes valuable expertise, their impact depends on how well they connect with one another.

The SIG workshop introduced a shift in perspective

Rather than focusing only on individual project outputs, it explored how to build a shared space for dialogue, alignment, and continuous exchange; a space whereby stakeholders can collectively address the practical challenges of implementation.

This reflects a broader transition in European digital health: from fragmented innovation to coordinated execution.

A platform for real-world discussion

The workshop created an environment for open and practical discussions, bringing together representatives from industry, healthcare organisations, and project partners.

Participants exchanged experiences on:

Implementation challenges in different healthcare systems

Organisational and technical barriers to interoperability

The role of stakeholders in supporting adoption

The need for alignment across national and European levels

A key takeaway was that implementation is not a linear process. It requires continuous feedback loops, where insights from real-world settings inform both technical development and policy evolution.

From interoperability to implementation ecosystems

The creation of the SIG reflects an important evolution in the i2X project.

While the project focuses on demonstrators and technical implementation, the SIG extends its role by contributing to the development of an implementation ecosystem.

This ecosystem is built on:

Shared knowledge and practical experience

Collaboration across disciplines and sectors

Alignment between projects, initiatives, and stakeholders

In this context, interoperability becomes not only a technical goal but a collective capability.

Supporting stakeholders beyond the consortium

One of the defining characteristics of the i2X SIG is its openness.

It is designed to engage stakeholders beyond the core consortium, including organisations that are preparing for EEHRxF adoption or seeking to align with EHDS developments.

By doing so, the SIG contributes to:

Knowledge transfer across the ecosystem

Early engagement of future adopters

Scaling of implementation practices beyond project boundaries

Looking ahead

The i2X Special Interest Group is not a one-off initiative; rather, it is intended to evolve into a living community of practice.

As the project progresses, SIG will play a key role in connecting stakeholders, supporting implementation, and fostering collaboration across Europe.

Ultimately, the success of the European Health Data Space will depend not only on standards and technologies, but on the ability of people and organisations to work together.

Diogo Martins

Project Manager

Graduated in Health Equipment and Technology, with a background in Electronics, ICT, and Medical Devices. Holds an MSc in Healthcare Information Systems Management from the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria and the Faculty of Medicine of Porto. Diogo has worked as a Medical Devices Consultant, Key Account Manager, and ICT Project Manager at SPMS, with a focus on healthcare data sharing, radiology, and telemedicine. He has coordinated and participated in multiple EU digital health projects (e.g., X-eHealth, eHAction, HEALTHeID) related to patient empowerment, health data use, interoperability, and sustainability.

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