A model of excellence in the Marche Region: turning a regional best practice into a shared European achievement

The Marche Region stands as a European model of excellence in managing diabetes. Its participation in JACARDI builds on more than a decade of coordinated innovation, legislation, and stakeholder engagement.

The foundation was laid with Regional Law No. 9/2015, which established a network of Diabetes Centres connected by a shared electronic record and coordinated through the Regional Diabetes Committee. Led by the Marche Regional Health Agency (Agenzia Regionale Sanitaria – ARS), this committee unites specialists, family doctors, pediatricians, and patient associations to ensure equal access and consistent quality of care. Recognized by the European Commission’s Best Practice Portal and the Italian National Agency for Regional Healthcare Services (Agenzia Nazionale per i servizi sanitari Regionali – AGENAS), this network became a reference model for chronic disease management.

When the European Union launched JACARDI, the Marche Region’s mature system made it a natural choice for leadership. The region now co-coordinates the work on patient self-management and runs five pilot projects that align with prevention, early diagnosis, and integrated care. All activities are co-designed with professionals and patient associations, ensuring that regional strengths feed into European innovation while new knowledge returns to improve local services.

As highlighted by Flavia Carle, Director of the Regional Health Agency, participating in a European Joint Action offers “two main benefits: contributing our experience to the development of guidelines and organizational models, and learning from other European countries to guarantee equity across our region.”

Digital innovation plays a central role. As Massimiliano Petrelli notes, the region’s electronic medical records now allow real-time data access, enabling faster and more precise interventions. JACARDI provides new resources to expand this capacity and strengthen digital health literacy among professionals and patients alike.

Beyond technology, JACARDI promotes a cultural shift toward shared responsibility. The projects now implemented in all the Health Authorities of the Regional Healthcare system will enhance health literacy, empowering citizens to make informed decisions about their care.

As highlighted by Paolo Muratori, President of the Marche Federation of Diabetic Associations, patient associations act as vital bridges between institutions and the community, ensuring that patient voices help shape regional policies.

In just two years, the Marche JACARDI team has launched pilot projects in almost all Diabetes Centres, produced educational materials, and trained healthcare staff, embedding these innovations into the regional system.

The Marche Region’s journey—from pioneering legislation to European leadership—shows how consistent collaboration and commitment to equity can turn a regional best practice into a shared European achievement. JACARDI is not just a project but a collective investment in knowledge, empowerment, and health for all.