Lessons learned on the sustainability of social prescribing interventions: a Delphi analysis conducted in the C.O.P.E. European Project

Social prescribing (SP) has emerged as a transformative approach, aiming to address non-clinical determinants of health by linking persons to community resources and activities. This approach acknowledges that social factors, such as loneliness, social isolation, and lack of community engagement, significantly impact physical and mental health. The European Project C.O.P.E. has efficiently implemented SP strategies in Europe reaching a total of 410 young people in Italy and 576 in Portugal, involving 21 Link workers in Portugal and 56 in Italy, building more than 80 Agreements at territorial level. The results reported by the C.O.P.E. project requested a deeper reflection on sustainability of networks and collaborations put in place in order to allow the project to continue and to provide a solution to expectations of young people. A scoping review, a SWOT Analysis and a Delphi study have been planned in order to understand specific aspects related to sustainability.