1- What has been your biggest challenge working on TRACE project? 

I think one of the most significant challenges, and this applies not only to TRACE but to most complex EU cooperation projects, is the initial phase of getting fully oriented. In the early stages, I feel there is a steep learning curve in understanding the full architecture of the project, including its objectives, work package interdependencies, and expected outcomes. 

For me a key difficulty lies in identifying where you can create the most impact within a structure that is partly fixed by the proposal and grant agreement, while still leaving room for interpretation and strategic positioning. At the same time, you need to organise your own tasks in alignment with the broader consortium workflow, which requires continuous coordination and communication. 

This process of course takes time, but it is essential for a good outcome. Once you gain a clearer overview of what is fixed, what is flexible, and how the different components interact, it becomes much easier to work efficiently and contribute in a meaningful way. 

2- How do you think the TRACE project can make a difference? 

I believe TRACE has strong potential to create meaningful and lasting impact, particularly through the establishment of regional ecosystems and living labs in Portugal, Serbia and Poland, further enriched by the Citizen Science initiatives. These structures are critical because they bring together diverse stakeholders, such as healthcare professionals, policymakers, community organisations and citizens, around a shared objective of improving health literacy. 

If we succeed in activating these ecosystems effectively, they can function as collaborative environments where knowledge is exchanged, tested and translated into practice. This is where real change can happen. That said, this kind of impact requires time and investment. Building trust, aligning interests, and fostering collaboration between stakeholders is inherently a gradual process. However, once these relationships are in place, they create a strong foundation for sustainable change that extends beyond the lifetime of the project. 

3- For you, what is the main result that TRACE will deliver? 

As mentioned before, the most important result of TRACE is the establishment and consolidation of the ecosystems, living labs, and the development of Citizen Science activities. These are not just project outputs but enabling structures that can sustain and amplify the impact of all other project activities. If properly set up they can act as the vehicles through which knowledge, tools and methodologies developed within the project can be continuously tested, refined and implemented in real-world contexts. More importantly, they ensure that the project does not end with a set of static deliverables but instead leaves behind functioning networks and collaborative frameworks. In that sense, the ecosystems and living labs are key to ensuring both the long-term sustainability and scalability of TRACE results. 

4- We reached the 6-month mark of the project; how do you see the progress made in these months?  

At the six-month mark, I think the project has made solid and encouraging progress. The initial phase of alignment and setup is largely behind us, and all work packages are now gaining momentum. There is a growing clarity around roles, responsibilities and interdependencies between the different WPs, which makes working on the project much easier and enjoyable! While there is still a lot of work ahead, the foundation we have established in these first months puts the project in a strong position to move into a more productive and impact-driven phase. We are looking forward to it!