From EPODE to the EEN (EPODE European Network)

An integrated and structured approach

In order to build up on EPODE experiences, Protéines has established the EPODE EUROPEAN NETWORK (EEN), a structure for the exchange of information and sharing of project engineering practices. The EEN is strongly supported by the EU DG Health and Consumers, (DG SANCO) and private partners.

The EEN has been designed to facilitate the implementation of community-based interventions (CBIs) that use the EPODE methodology (EPODE-like programmes), in other European countries, regions and cities. The EEN brings together best practices from pilot experiences from EPODE, THAO and VIASANO to facilitate the set up and the implementation of EPODE-like CBIs.

The EEN is built around four pillars that originate from the EPODE methodology:

• Political involvement
• Evaluation and dissemination
• Social Marketing and network expertise
• Public-Private Partnerships

Each EEN committee deals with one pillar, involving four major European Universities.

The EEN perfectly fits into the EU vision of a multi-stakeholders partnership engaged in promoting healthier lifestyles, improve diet and physical activity habits and to prevent obesity and other chronic diseases. This vision is described in the White Paper entitled "A strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity related health issues" in which the European Commission defined an integrated European initiative - both at national and local levels - to promote community strategies to fight against obesity. The EEN is also in accordance with the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.

To be implemented in a new country, EPODE requires a phased approach:

1. Raising national and regional political awareness of the relevancies of local, long term and multi-stakeholders approaches to childhood obesity prevention
   
   
2. Gathering a multidisciplinary scientific advisory committee
   
   
3. Creating a national coordination structure gathering social marketing, press relations and communication skills. This team has to be trained and coached by the EPODE European Coordination in order to adapt the methodologies and policies to the national context (food habits, city and public health structures, nutritional recommendations...)
   
   
4. Gathering the key support of public and private partners to finance and launch the programme. This phase completed, the recruitment of the pilot cities can start.

The methodology already developed in France (EPODE programme), Belgium (VIASANO programme), Spain (THAO Salud Infantil programme) and currently in Greece (PAIDEIATROFI programme) requires an across the line approach, gathering intelligence and contribution from these 4 essential pillars.

The EEN project is an initiative arising from EPODE / THAO / VIASANO programmes in order to share experiences and facilitate the development of the EPODE methodology in other European countries.