Smart D8 opens its doors to health and wellbeing innovators for fifth consecutive year of successfully engaging Dublin 8 community
28.02.25
Smart D8 has officially launched its fifth open call for pilot projects to explore innovative solutions to community health and well being challenges.
Since October 2020, and operating through funded pilot calls and partnerships, the Smart D8 testbed provides access to local knowledge and expertise and facilitates the development of innovative approaches aimed at enhancing health and wellbeing within the local community. Through the combined effort of pilot calls, local workshop activities and engagement with existing community groups, Smart D8 has reached over 18,500 people living and working in the 45,000-strong population of Dublin 8 to date.
Now entering its fifth year, this year’s call focuses on innovative pilot projects across three key themes:
Speaking on the opening of pilot applications, Smart D8 Ecosystem Manager Jack Lehane said:
“As Smart D8 enters its fifth year, we are immensely proud of the work that has been done to date but equally acknowledge that more is yet to come. Having reached over 40% of the close-knit Dublin 8 community in such a short period is a remarkable achievement. Given this high level of engagement, this year we have focused on themes that have yielded the most impacts to meaningfully contribute to the health of the local area.
Our mission is to enhance the health and wellbeing of the Dublin 8 community by fostering meaningful collaboration with local organisations and amplifying the efforts of those already committed to making a difference in people’s lives. Since our inception, we have built a strong network of community-centred programs, engaging residents, workers, and students to promote healthier lives.
This year, we are expanding our impact by welcoming pilot proposals inspired by blue zones – regions known for exceptional longevity and wellbeing. By integrating their core principles, such as healthy lifestyles and illness prevention, we aim to bring innovative health solutions to Dublin 8, paving the way for a stronger, healthier, and ultimately happier community.”
The positive impact of Smart D8 has become evident through its collection of successful pilot projects that have been tested within the local community, with 16 projects supported to date.
Selected pilots from this fifth call will have the opportunity to trial and evaluate new and emerging technologies in a general population to measure their population health impacts – demonstrating their potential to positively impact people’s lives locally, nationally and internationally.
Applications will close on Wednesday, April 2nd at 11pm. For more information on Smart D8 and to find out how to apply for the latest round of pilot projects, please visit https://smartd8.ie
Smart D8 is led by The Digital Hub, Dublin City Council, St James’s Hospital and Smart Dublin. They are joined by Tyndall National Institute, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, National College of Art & Design, Guinness Enterprise Centre, Health Innovation Hub Ireland and the HSE in this unique collaborative initiative.
