Collaborations with Third Sector Entities
The Department of Health Sciences promotes and formalizes concrete collaborations with Third Sector Entities (ETS) through specific Department Agreements. These partnerships are established with the goal of bridging the gap between academic research and the community, translating scientific evidence into concrete solutions for the health and well-being of citizens.
By valuing the cutting-edge expertise of the non-profit sector, the Department integrates teaching, research, and Knowledge Transfer activities along four core pillars:
- Citizen Science: The active, conscious, and participatory involvement of patients, families, and caregivers in research processes and data collection, ensuring that science develops "with" and "for" the citizen.
- Public Engagement: The dissemination of scientific and health culture in society, literacy on rights safeguarding health, community prevention, and awareness-raising on complex topics related to chronic-degenerative diseases and end-of-life care.
- Joint Research: The development of clinical, epidemiological, and healthcare delivery studies aimed at optimizing care pathways and improving patients' quality of life.
- Joint Teaching and Training: The design of integrated educational pathways aimed at humanizing care, refining interpersonal skills, and taking a holistic approach to the person.
Below are the main ETS partners and their respective areas of collaboration:
AISLA (Italian Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association)
The collaboration with AISLA, a national benchmark for the protection, assistance, and care of ALS patients, focuses on:
- Citizen Science: Active involvement of patients and caregivers in scientific research and in validating assessment and care guidelines.
- Joint research: Support for clinical research networks and scientific infrastructures (such as national registries and voice banks) for optimizing care delivery.
- Public Engagement: Information, awareness, and rights protection campaigns for people affected by neuromuscular diseases.
Official website of the entity: AISLA
Fondazione TuttoèVita ETS
Created to offer comprehensive human and spiritual accompaniment in pathways of serious illness, end-of-life, and bereavement, the collaboration includes:
- Immersive teaching at the Borgo: Integrated educational activities and experiential pathways offered at the Borgo di TuttoèVita facilities, dedicated to humanizing care and taking a holistic approach (body, mind, and spirit) to end-of-life management.
- Citizen Science & Training: Development of models for reception and intercultural and interfaith dialogue within palliative care.
- Public Engagement: Death Education projects in schools and local communities to promote greater awareness and a cultural shift regarding loss and grief.
Official website of the Entity: Tutto è Vita
FILE (Italian Lenitherapy Foundation)
The partnership with FILE addresses the healthcare challenge linked to population aging and the increase in chronic-degenerative diseases:
- Joint research: Studies on the effectiveness of early, simultaneous, and specialized palliative care, and on managing the psychological suffering of the patient and family unit.
- Public Engagement & Culture: Promoting the culture of Lenitherapy in civil society to deconstruct prejudices surrounding the term "palliative" and promote the right not to suffer.
- Training: Collaboration in training and motivational reinforcement for healthcare staff and volunteers for personalized care projects.
Official website of the Entity: Italian Lenitherapy Foundation
Fondazione ANT (National Cancer Association)
The collaboration with ANT, the largest Italian non-profit organization for free home medical-specialist care and prevention, focuses on:
- Research and Care Models: Analysis, monitoring, and optimization of Home Oncological Care (ADO), supportive therapies, and pain management.
- Prevention and Public Engagement: Organization and promotion of joint health literacy projects and awareness campaigns regarding early and supportive palliative care.
Official website of the Entity: Fondazione ANT
Last update
31.07.2026