Event highlights
On 29 January 2026, the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development, supported by Public Health Wales and the Welsh Government (United Kingdom), held a policy dialogue that convened leaders from across health, finance, government and civil society. The dialogue focused on exploring how impact investment can catalyse and complement public funding, foster effective multisectoral partnerships and support the transition towards well-being economies across the European Region.
Societies across the Region are currently facing many pressing and interconnected challenges, including regional insecurity, mounting fiscal pressures, persistent health inequities and significant demographic shifts. In this context, governments are finding it increasingly difficult to sustainably finance health and well-being systems. Innovative funding approaches are therefore gaining renewed attention. WHO Member States have identified impact investment – which seeks intentional, measurable social and environmental benefits alongside financial returns – as a vital instrument to help mobilize capital in support of healthier, more resilient and more equitable societies.
The event brought together over 40 participants in person and more than 100 participants online, representing over 20 countries. The policy dialogue contributed to advancing WHO commitments to health equity and well-being through a strategic focus on impact investment. Keynote addresses outlined the overall potential of impact investment to achieve health and well-being outcomes, showcasing successful practical examples of impact investment initiatives, capturing a clear appetite for these approaches, both in Wales and across the wider WHO European Region.
Chris Brown, Head of the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development helped open the event by outlining that “Impact investment is about intentionally directing capital to generate measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns”.
Kieron Boyle, Chair of the Impact Investing Institute and a keynote speaker at the event, noted: “Alignment of different approaches in the impact economy is essential for 21st century health”.
Alexei Buzu, Secretary General of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, highlighted the needs that these approaches would support, stating: “We cannot talk about well-being if we do not invest in the care economy and support frontline workers”.
Marie Brousseau-Navarro, Deputy Commissioner and Director for Health, Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, noted the need for additional funding sources, declaring: “Public funding will never be enough; cross-sectoral investment and collaboration are essential”.
The policy dialogue also featured the launch of a new WHO report, “Unlocking funding for well-being, equity and healthy societies”. The report outlines the potential of impact investment, alongside a range of other funding mechanisms and strategies, to mobilize resources and accelerate progress towards improved health, greater equity and enhanced well-being across the Region.