About this cluster
The Workplace Innovation for Sustainable Well-being Cluster (also known as WISEWORK-C) was launched in 2024 (with €21 million in EU funding) and is composed of 5 projects selected under call HORIZON-HLTH-2023-ENVHLTH-02-02 of Horizon Europe:
The cluster is expected to continue its activities until 2027 with a primary focus on improving occupational well-being across various sectors and in different contexts, addressing the challenges posed by an evolving labour market and fostering inclusive and sustainable work environments.
Background
As the world of work undergoes a rapid transformation driven by digitalization, globalization, and evolving societal norms, the mental and physical well-being of workers faces unprecedented challenges. The EU has long recognized the critical importance of fostering healthier, more adaptive working environments to safeguard the well-being of its workforce. Through a series of targeted initiatives, EU-funded projects have addressed the intersection of work and health, paving the way for innovative approaches to support workers and organizations in adapting to these changes.
Initiatives such as the EU-OSHA Healthy Workplaces Campaigns have raised awareness around critical topics including stress management, ergonomic workplace design and the prevention of occupational hazards. The promotion of mental health has been reinforced through projects which have equipped employers with tools to create healthier workplaces.
Building on these achievements, the EU is charting a forward-looking course to address the health and safety challenges posed by modern work environments. The EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021–2027 provides a roadmap for promoting a culture of prevention and adaptation. Key focus areas include mitigating the physical and psychosocial risks of remote work, supporting sustainable transitions in aging workforces and integrating mental health as a critical component of workplace health and safety.
These initiatives align closely with broader European Commission priorities such as the European Green Deal, the Digital Strategy and Digital Decade Targets and the European Pillar of Social Rights. By addressing occupational health in the context of green and digital transitions, the EU fosters sustainable development while ensuring fair working conditions, health and safety at work and equal opportunities across its Member States.
Which EU priorities does this cluster contribute to?
- European Green Deal
- Digital Decade policy
- European Pillar of Social Rights
- EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027